Computer Networking

Recent networking trends include Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), online collaboration, video communications, and cloud computing.

BYOD allows users to utilize their own devices, providing them with increased opportunities and flexibility. End users can use devices like laptops, netbooks, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers as part of BYOD.

Online collaboration enables joint projects over the network, and tools like Cisco WebEx support collaboration by allowing users to instantly connect and interact, including features such as sending instant messages, sharing images, posting videos, and sharing links. Collaboration is a high priority in business and education.

Video communication is vital for connecting with anyone, regardless of their location, and it plays a crucial role in effective collaboration. Cisco TelePresence is a method that enables collaboration with people from everywhere.

Cloud computing primarily allows for storing personal files and data backup on internet servers and provides access to applications. Smaller companies benefit by leasing server and storage services from larger data center organizations in the Cloud, which they might not afford to build themselves.

The four types of Clouds are Public Clouds (available to the general public), Private Clouds (intended for specific organizations), Hybrid Clouds (combinations of two or more Cloud types), and Custom Clouds (built to meet specific industry needs and can be private or public).

Smart home technology is a growing trend that integrates technology into everyday appliances, allowing them to interconnect with other devices. For example, ovens can communicate with your calendar to know when to start cooking a meal based on your schedule.

Powerline networking is useful when data network cables or wireless communication is not feasible. It works by allowing devices to connect to a LAN via electrical outlets using standard powerline adapters that transmit data on specific frequencies. This is especially handy when wireless access points cannot reach all devices in the home.

Wireless broadband is an internet connection option, especially in rural areas, provided by Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs). It uses cellular technology and an outside antenna to connect devices in the home.

Network security is essential, and securing a network involves various methods, considering both data protection and quality of service. Threat vectors can be external or internal.

External threats include viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, adware, zero-day attacks, threat actor attacks, denial of service attacks, data interception and theft, and identity theft.

Internal threats consist of lost or stolen devices, accidental misuse by employees, malicious employees, and the fact that internal users of the network are responsible for most security breaches.

Security must be implemented in multiple layers to enhance protection. Key components for a home or small office network include antivirus and antispyware software on end devices and firewall filtering to block unauthorized access.

Larger networks require a dedicated firewall system, access control lists (ACL) for filtering, intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to detect threats like zero-day attacks, and virtual private networks (VPN) for secure remote access.

The study of network security starts with understanding the switching and routing infrastructure.

Servers are computers that provide information to end devices. Examples of servers include email servers, web servers, and file servers.

Computers in a network are either hosts or end devices. Hosts can serve as servers, providing services, or as clients, requesting services.

Servers include email servers (for email services), web servers (for hosting websites), and file servers (for storing and serving files).

Clients send requests to servers for information or services. They use specific client software, such as email clients, web browsers, or file access tools

An email server manages and stores email messages. Clients access emails using email client software to send, receive, and manage messages.

A web server hosts websites and web applications. Clients access web pages by using web browsers to request and receive web content.

A file server stores corporate and user files, providing clients with access to documents, images, videos, and other file types.

Yes, additional server types include database servers (managing databases), DNS servers (resolving domain names), print servers (managing printing tasks), and application servers (running specific applications and services for clients).

Yes, a device can serve as both client and server in Peer-to-Peer networks, but it's best for very small networks.

- Easy to set up

- Less complex

- Lower cost

- And its used for simple tasks: transferring files and sharing printers

- No centralized administration

- Not as secure

- Not scalable

- Slower performance

Is where a message originates from or where it is received. Data originates with an end device, flows through the network, and arrives at an end device.

An intermediary device interconnects end devices. Examples include switches, wireless access points, routers, and firewalls.

Management of data as it flows through a network is also the role of an intermediary device, including:

• Regenerate and retransmit data signals.

• Maintain information about what pathways exist in the network.

• Notify other devices of errors and communication failures.

Communication across a network is carried through a medium which allows a message to travel from source to destination.

Media Types                                                                            Description

Metal wires within cables                                                        Uses electrical impulses

Glass or plastic fibers within cables (fiber-optic cable)           Uses pulses of light.

Wireless transmission                                                             Uses modulation of specific frequencies of electromagnetic waves.