Chapter 6 Pages 309-320

- In this reading it talked about understanding internet technologies and security. Networking computer is important because it makes it possible for two or more computers, printers, or other devices using cables or wireless media. Computer networks can be simple or complex, local, or worldwide. A local area network is a computer network supporting users in a small geographical area, such as home, an office, a single building, or several buildings like a college campus. Each device on a LAN is called a node; these nodes communicate with each other with cables or wireless media, such as radip waves. They are configured in one or two basic structures: Peer-to-Peer or Client/Server.
Peer-tp-Peer: consists of a small number of computer (10 or fewer) that are linked together.
Client/Server: consists of multiple computers using one or more servers and other devices such as printers.
- Some times a hub is used to connect multiple nodes on the same network.(Figure 1)
 Figure 1: Small number of computers connected in a peer to peer LAN using a HUB.


- A metropolitan area network connects clients and servers in a region that is larger than a single office or building. A MAN is usually owned by a consortium of users or by a single network provider.

-A wide area network is a network covering a very wide geographical area.

http://www.fachtnaroe.com/images/NetworkTopologies.png

Ring Topology- connects each node to the next node using a single circle or cable.

Star Topology- cinnects each node to a central device, such as a hub or switch.

Bus Topology- connects all nodes on a peer-to-peer network with a single cable.

Web Sources:

http://www.edrawsoft.com/Local-Area-Network.php: This web link shows local area network examples and the technology overview.

http://www.edrawsoft.com/Wide-Area-Network.php: This web link shows wide area network examples and the technology overview.

http://www.cap-lore.com/Hardware/HBRS.html: This site gives definitions of a hub, switch, bridge, and router.