# data[].attributes.body
It's a good colour website

# data[].attributes.body
I|I(╥⌓╥  )I|I

# data[].attributes.headline
About 16,260,000,000 results (0.30 seconds) 
Search Results
Web results
Google
https://www.google.com/
Settings · Your data in Search · Help Send feedback. AllImages · Account · Assistant · Search · Maps · YouTube · Play · News · Gmail · Contacts · Drive · Calendar.
‎Gmail · ‎Google Translate · ‎My Google Drive · ‎Google Account
Videos

2:52
Introducing g
GameGrumps
YouTube - Apr 2, 2017

3:42
[MV] (G)I-DLE ((여자)아이들) _ LATATA
1theK (원더케이)
YouTube - May 2, 2018

1:44
Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition - G Gameplay Trailer
Street Fighter
YouTube - Aug 6, 2018

3:45
(여자)아이들((G)I-DLE) - '한(一)(HANN(Alone))' Official Music Video
(G)I-DLE (여자)아이들 (Official...
YouTube - Aug 14, 2018

4:15
Becky G - Sola (Official Music Video)
BeckyGVEVO
YouTube - Aug 27, 2016

3:24
Becky G - LBD (Official Video)
BeckyGVEVO
YouTube - Feb 14, 2019

4:25
G-Eazy - Sober (Official Music Video) ft. Charlie Puth
GEazyMusicVEVO
YouTube - Mar 15, 2018

15:32
Attractive Face or Not? It depends on Tongue Posture
What I've Learned
YouTube - Feb 7, 2019

8:30
EXTREME G-FORCE and ZERO-G COMPILATION
VIDSTORM
YouTube - May 30, 2017

3:19
G-Eazy - Rewind (Official Music Video) ft. Anthony Russo
GEazyMusicVEVO
YouTube - Sep 13, 2018
Web results
Gmail - Google
https://www.google.com/gmail/
Gmail is email that's intuitive, efficient, and useful. 15 GB of storage, less spam, ...
G - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G
G is the 7th letter in the ISO basic Latin alphabet. Contents. 1 History. 1.1 Typographic variants. 2 Use in writing systems. 2.1 English; 2.2 Other languages.
Language of origin‎: ‎Latin language	Writing system‎: ‎Latin script
Alphabetical position‎: ‎7	Other letters commonly used with‎: ‎gh‎, ‎g(x)
‎History · ‎Use in writing systems · ‎Related characters · ‎Computing codes
Urban Dictionary: G
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=G
"Yo G!! i need some advice what do u do if the north is under control but theres an uprising in the south" (Will asking geofrey for help with problems with Lisa).
G | Australian Classification
www.classification.gov.au/Guidelines/Pages/G.aspx
General (G). G – suitable for everyone. The content is very mild in impact. The G classification is suitable for everyone. G products may contain classifiable ...
G Suite: Collaboration & Productivity Apps for Business
https://gsuite.google.com.au/intl/en_au/
An integrated suite of secure, cloud-native collaboration and productivity apps powered by Google AI. Includes Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Meet and more.
By . G | Buy By.G Accessories Online Australia- THE ICONIC
https://www.theiconic.com.au/by-g/
91 items - Buy By.G accessories online at THE ICONIC. Enjoy the option of free and fast delivery to Australia and New Zealand. Shop online today!
G-Star RAW® | Official Online Store
https://www.g-star.com/en_us
Visit the Official G-Star Online Store and get inspired. Discover our latest denim and fashion. 14 days reflection period. Free returns.
Images for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
More images for g
Report images
Page navigation
1	
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next
Complementary results
See results about

G
G is the 7th letter in the ISO basic Latin alphabet.
Footer links
Australia Sydney, New South Wales - From your Internet address - Use precise location - Learn more
HelpSend feedbackPrivacyTerms
]

# data[].attributes.subject
About 16,260,000,000 results (0.30 seconds) 
Search Results
Web results
Google
https://www.google.com/
Settings · Your data in Search · Help Send feedback. AllImages · Account · Assistant · Search · Maps · YouTube · Play · News · Gmail · Contacts · Drive · Calendar.
‎Gmail · ‎Google Translate · ‎My Google Drive · ‎Google Account
Videos

2:52
Introducing g
GameGrumps
YouTube - Apr 2, 2017

3:42
[MV] (G)I-DLE ((여자)아이들) _ LATATA
1theK (원더케이)
YouTube - May 2, 2018

1:44
Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition - G Gameplay Trailer
Street Fighter
YouTube - Aug 6, 2018

3:45
(여자)아이들((G)I-DLE) - '한(一)(HANN(Alone))' Official Music Video
(G)I-DLE (여자)아이들 (Official...
YouTube - Aug 14, 2018

4:15
Becky G - Sola (Official Music Video)
BeckyGVEVO
YouTube - Aug 27, 2016

3:24
Becky G - LBD (Official Video)
BeckyGVEVO
YouTube - Feb 14, 2019

4:25
G-Eazy - Sober (Official Music Video) ft. Charlie Puth
GEazyMusicVEVO
YouTube - Mar 15, 2018

15:32
Attractive Face or Not? It depends on Tongue Posture
What I've Learned
YouTube - Feb 7, 2019

8:30
EXTREME G-FORCE and ZERO-G COMPILATION
VIDSTORM
YouTube - May 30, 2017

3:19
G-Eazy - Rewind (Official Music Video) ft. Anthony Russo
GEazyMusicVEVO
YouTube - Sep 13, 2018
Web results
Gmail - Google
https://www.google.com/gmail/
Gmail is email that's intuitive, efficient, and useful. 15 GB of storage, less spam, ...
G - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G
G is the 7th letter in the ISO basic Latin alphabet. Contents. 1 History. 1.1 Typographic variants. 2 Use in writing systems. 2.1 English; 2.2 Other languages.
Language of origin‎: ‎Latin language	Writing system‎: ‎Latin script
Alphabetical position‎: ‎7	Other letters commonly used with‎: ‎gh‎, ‎g(x)
‎History · ‎Use in writing systems · ‎Related characters · ‎Computing codes
Urban Dictionary: G
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=G
"Yo G!! i need some advice what do u do if the north is under control but theres an uprising in the south" (Will asking geofrey for help with problems with Lisa).
G | Australian Classification
www.classification.gov.au/Guidelines/Pages/G.aspx
General (G). G – suitable for everyone. The content is very mild in impact. The G classification is suitable for everyone. G products may contain classifiable ...
G Suite: Collaboration & Productivity Apps for Business
https://gsuite.google.com.au/intl/en_au/
An integrated suite of secure, cloud-native collaboration and productivity apps powered by Google AI. Includes Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Meet and more.
By . G | Buy By.G Accessories Online Australia- THE ICONIC
https://www.theiconic.com.au/by-g/
91 items - Buy By.G accessories online at THE ICONIC. Enjoy the option of free and fast delivery to Australia and New Zealand. Shop online today!
G-Star RAW® | Official Online Store
https://www.g-star.com/en_us
Visit the Official G-Star Online Store and get inspired. Discover our latest denim and fashion. 14 days reflection period. Free returns.
Images for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
Image result for g
More images for g
Report images
Page navigation
1	
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next
Complementary results
See results about

G
G is the 7th letter in the ISO basic Latin alphabet.
Footer links
Australia Sydney, New South Wales - From your Internet address - Use precise location - Learn more
HelpSend feedbackPrivacyTerms
]

# data[].attributes.body
( ͡°( ͡° ͜ʖ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ʖ ͡°) ͡°)

# data[].attributes.body
This is why we need networking

# data[].attributes.headline
Let us give some remarkable examples of networks and briefly explain why they deserve attention:
The World Wide Web. ...
The Internet. ...
Powerline and airline networks. ...
Citation networks. ...
Language networks. ...
Food webs. ...
Economic networks. ...
Metabolic and protein networks.

# data[].attributes.subject
Let us give some remarkable examples of networks and briefly explain why they deserve attention:
The World Wide Web. ...
The Internet. ...
Powerline and airline networks. ...
Citation networks. ...
Language networks. ...
Food webs. ...
Economic networks. ...
Metabolic and protein networks.

# data[].attributes.headline
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.subject
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.headline
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.subject
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.headline
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.subject
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.headline
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.
\

# data[].attributes.subject
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.
\

# data[].attributes.headline
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.subject
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.body
We would be lot without the internet

# data[].attributes.headline
Network topologies and types of networks
The term network topology describes the relationship of connected devices in terms of a geometric graph. Devices are represented as vertices, and their connections are represented as edges on the graph. It describes how many connections each device has, in what order, and it what sort of hierarchy.

Typical network configurations include the bus topology, mesh topology, ring topology, star topology, tree topology and hybrid topology.

# data[].attributes.subject
Network topologies and types of networks
The term network topology describes the relationship of connected devices in terms of a geometric graph. Devices are represented as vertices, and their connections are represented as edges on the graph. It describes how many connections each device has, in what order, and it what sort of hierarchy.

Typical network configurations include the bus topology, mesh topology, ring topology, star topology, tree topology and hybrid topology.

# data[].attributes.headline
A network is a collection of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, peripherals, or other devices connected to one another to allow the sharing of data. An excellent example of a network is the Internet, which connects millions of people all over the world. Below is an example image of a home network with multiple computers and other network devices all connected to each other and the Internet.

# data[].attributes.subject
A network is a collection of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, peripherals, or other devices connected to one another to allow the sharing of data. An excellent example of a network is the Internet, which connects millions of people all over the world. Below is an example image of a home network with multiple computers and other network devices all connected to each other and the Internet.

# data[].attributes.body
Networking
Networking 
networking connects s=us all!
Typically, a WAN consists of two or more local-area-networks (LANs). Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites. The largest WAN in existence is the Internet.
Typically, a WAN consists of two or more local-area-networks (LANs). Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites. The largest WAN in existence is the Internet.
This is the 11 main networks and a brief explanation of each.
This is the 11 main networks and a brief explanation of each.
 
1. Personal Area Network (PAN)

The smallest and most basic type of network, a PAN is made up of a wireless modem, a computer or two, phones, printers, tablets, etc., and revolves around one person in one building. These types of networks are typically found in small offices or residences, and are managed by one person or organization from a single device.

2. Local Area Network (LAN)

We’re confident that you’ve heard of these types of networks before – LANs are the most frequently discussed networks, one of the most common, one of the most original and one of the simplest types of networks. LANs connect groups of computers and low-voltage devices together across short distances (within a building or between a group of two or three buildings in close proximity to each other) to share information and resources. Enterprises typically manage and maintain LANs.

Using routers, LANs can connect to wide area networks (WANs, explained below) to rapidly and safely transfer data.

3. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

Functioning like a LAN, WLANs make use of wireless network technology, such as WiFi. Typically seen in the same types of applications as LANs, these types of networks don’t require that devices rely on physical cables to connect to the network.

4. Campus Area Network (CAN)

Larger than LANs, but smaller than metropolitan area networks (MANs, explained below), these types of networks are typically seen in universities, large K-12 school districts or small businesses. They can be spread across several buildings that are fairly close to each other so users can share resources.


5. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

These types of networks are larger than LANs but smaller than WANs – and incorporate elements from both types of networks. MANs span an entire geographic area (typically a town or city, but sometimes a campus). Ownership and maintenance is handled by either a single person or company (a local council, a large company, etc.).

6. Wide Area Network (WAN)

Slightly more complex than a LAN, a WAN connects computers together across longer physical distances. This allows computers and low-voltage devices to be remotely connected to each other over one large network to communicate even when they’re miles apart.

The Internet is the most basic example of a WAN, connecting all computers together around the world. Because of a WAN’s vast reach, it is typically owned and maintained by multiple administrators or the public.

7. Storage-Area Network (SAN)

As a dedicated high-speed network that connects shared pools of storage devices to several servers, these types of networks don’t rely on a LAN or WAN. Instead, they move storage resources away from the network and place them into their own high-performance network. SANs can be accessed in the same fashion as a drive attached to a server. Types of storage-area networks include converged, virtual and unified SANs.

8. System-Area Network (also known as SAN)

This term is fairly new within the past two decades. It is used to explain a relatively local network that is designed to provide high-speed connection in server-to-server applications (cluster environments), storage area networks (called “SANs” as well) and processor-to-processor applications. The computers connected on a SAN operate as a single system at very high speeds.

9. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)

As an alternative to traditional switch-based Ethernet LANs, POLAN technology can be integrated into structured cabling to overcome concerns about supporting traditional Ethernet protocols and network applications such as PoE (Power over Ethernet). A point-to-multipoint LAN architecture, POLAN uses optical splitters to split an optical signal from one strand of singlemode optical fiber into multiple signals to serve users and devices.

10. Enterprise Private Network (EPN)

These types of networks are built and owned by businesses that want to securely connect its various locations to share computer resources.

11. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

By extending a private network across the Internet, a VPN lets its users send and receive data as if their devices were connected to the private network – even if they’re not. Through a virtual point-to-point connection, users can access a private network remotely.

If you have questions about which type of network is right for your organization, or want to learn more about Belden’s network solutions that improve uptime, maintain security, and help improve user access, check out info.belden.com/lan. 


 Disadvant
 
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.
📎 Photo
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network Expensive to Install. Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon. Requires Administrative Time. Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support. Servers Fail. Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible. Cables May Break. The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network. Security and compliance. Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.
ok not what we did in maths
ok not what we did in maths
11 Types of Networks Explained: VPN, LAN & More Personal Area Network (PAN) ... Local Area Network (LAN) ... Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) ... Campus Area Network (CAN) ... Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) ... Wide Area Network (WAN) ... Storage-Area Network (SAN) ... System-Area Network (also known as SAN)
11 Types of Networks Explained: VPN, LAN & More
Personal Area Network (PAN) ...
Local Area Network (LAN) ...
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) ...
Campus Area Network (CAN) ...
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) ...
Wide Area Network (WAN) ...
Storage-Area Network (SAN) ...
System-Area Network (also known as SAN)
What is a Network? A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. Two very common types of networks include: Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN) You may also see references to a Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), or a Wireless WAN (WWAN). Local Area Network A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or building. Computers connected to a network are broadly categorized as servers or workstations. Servers are generally not used by humans directly, but rather run continuously to provide "services" to the other computers (and their human users) on the network. Services provided can include printing and faxing, software hosting, file storage and sharing, messaging, data storage and retrieval, complete access control (security) for the network's resources, and many others. Workstations are called such because they typically do have a human user which interacts with the network through them. Workstations were traditionally considered a desktop, consisting of a computer, keyboard, display, and mouse, or a laptop, with with integrated keyboard, display, and touchpad. With the advent of the tablet computer, and the touch screen devices such as iPad and iPhone, our definition of workstation is quickly evolving to include those devices, because of their ability to interact with the network and utilize network services. Servers tend to be more powerful than workstations, although configurations are guided by needs. For example, a group of servers might be located in a secure area, away from humans, and only accessed through the network. In such cases, it would be common for the servers to operate without a dedicated display or keyboard. However, the size and speed of the server's processor(s), hard drive, and main memory might add dramatically to the cost of the system. On the other hand, a workstation might not need as much storage or working memory, but might require an expensive display to accommodate the needs of its user. Every computer on a network should be appropriately configured for its use. On a single LAN, computers and servers may be connected by cables or wirelessly. Wireless access to a wired network is made possible by wireless access points (WAPs). These WAP devices provide a bridge between computers and networks. A typical WAP might have the theoretical capacity to connect hundreds or even thousands of wireless users to a network, although practical capacity might be far less. Nearly always servers will be connected by cables to the network, because the cable connections remain the fastest. Workstations which are stationary (desktops) are also usually connected by a cable to the network, although the cost of wireless adapters has dropped to the point that, when installing workstations in an existing facility with inadequate wiring, it can be easier and less expensive to use wireless for a desktop. See the Topology, Cabling, and Hardware sections of this tutorial for more information on the configuration of a LAN. Wide Area Network Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect networks in larger geographic areas, such as Florida, the United States, or the world. Dedicated transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks may be used to connect this type of global network. Using a WAN, schools in Florida can communicate with places like Tokyo in a matter of seconds, without paying enormous phone bills. Two users a half-world apart with workstations equipped with microphones and a webcams might teleconference in real time. A WAN is complicated. It uses multiplexers, bridges, and routers to connect local and metropolitan networks to global communications networks like the Internet. To users, however, a WAN will not appear to be much different than a LAN. Advantages of Installing a School Network User access control. Modern networks almost always have one or more servers which allows centralized management for users and for network resources to which they have access. User credentials on a privately-owned and operated network may be as simple as a user name and password, but with ever-increasing attention to computing security issues, these servers are critical to ensuring that sensitive information is only available to authorized users. Information storing and sharing. Computers allow users to create and manipulate information. Information takes on a life of its own on a network. The network provides both a place to store the information and mechanisms to share that information with other network users. Connections. Administrators, instructors, and even students and guests can be connected using the campus network. Services. The school can provide services, such as registration, school directories, course schedules, access to research, and email accounts, and many others. (Remember, network services are generally provided by servers). Internet. The school can provide network users with access to the internet, via an internet gateway. Computing resources. The school can provide access to special purpose computing devices which individual users would not normally own. For example, a school network might have high-speed high quality printers strategically located around a campus for instructor or student use. Flexible Access. School networks allow students to access their information from connected devices throughout the school. Students can begin an assignment in their classroom, save part of it on a public access area of the network, then go to the media center after school to finish their work. Students can also work cooperatively through the network. Workgroup Computing. Collaborative software allows many users to work on a document or project concurrently. For example, educators located at various schools within a county could simultaneously contribute their ideas about new curriculum standards to the same document, spreadsheets, or website. Disadvantages of Installing a School Network Expensive to Install. Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon. Requires Administrative Time. Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support. Servers Fail. Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible. Cables May Break. The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network. Security and compliance. Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.
What is a Network?
A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

Two very common types of networks include:

Local Area Network (LAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
You may also see references to a Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), or a Wireless WAN (WWAN).

Local Area Network
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or building.

Computers connected to a network are broadly categorized as servers or workstations. Servers are generally not used by humans directly, but rather run continuously to provide "services" to the other computers (and their human users) on the network. Services provided can include printing and faxing, software hosting, file storage and sharing, messaging, data storage and retrieval, complete access control (security) for the network's resources, and many others.

Workstations are called such because they typically do have a human user which interacts with the network through them. Workstations were traditionally considered a desktop, consisting of a computer, keyboard, display, and mouse, or a laptop, with with integrated keyboard, display, and touchpad. With the advent of the tablet computer, and the touch screen devices such as iPad and iPhone, our definition of workstation is quickly evolving to include those devices, because of their ability to interact with the network and utilize network services.

Servers tend to be more powerful than workstations, although configurations are guided by needs. For example, a group of servers might be located in a secure area, away from humans, and only accessed through the network. In such cases, it would be common for the servers to operate without a dedicated display or keyboard. However, the size and speed of the server's processor(s), hard drive, and main memory might add dramatically to the cost of the system. On the other hand, a workstation might not need as much storage or working memory, but might require an expensive display to accommodate the needs of its user. Every computer on a network should be appropriately configured for its use.

On a single LAN, computers and servers may be connected by cables or wirelessly. Wireless access to a wired network is made possible by wireless access points (WAPs). These WAP devices provide a bridge between computers and networks. A typical WAP might have the theoretical capacity to connect hundreds or even thousands of wireless users to a network, although practical capacity might be far less.

Nearly always servers will be connected by cables to the network, because the cable connections remain the fastest. Workstations which are stationary (desktops) are also usually connected by a cable to the network, although the cost of wireless adapters has dropped to the point that, when installing workstations in an existing facility with inadequate wiring, it can be easier and less expensive to use wireless for a desktop.

See the Topology, Cabling, and Hardware sections of this tutorial for more information on the configuration of a LAN.

Wide Area Network
Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect networks in larger geographic areas, such as Florida, the United States, or the world. Dedicated transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks may be used to connect this type of global network.

Using a WAN, schools in Florida can communicate with places like Tokyo in a matter of seconds, without paying enormous phone bills. Two users a half-world apart with workstations equipped with microphones and a webcams might teleconference in real time. A WAN is complicated. It uses multiplexers, bridges, and routers to connect local and metropolitan networks to global communications networks like the Internet. To users, however, a WAN will not appear to be much different than a LAN.

Advantages of Installing a School Network
User access control.
Modern networks almost always have one or more servers which allows centralized management for users and for network resources to which they have access. User credentials on a privately-owned and operated network may be as simple as a user name and password, but with ever-increasing attention to computing security issues, these servers are critical to ensuring that sensitive information is only available to authorized users.
Information storing and sharing.
Computers allow users to create and manipulate information. Information takes on a life of its own on a network. The network provides both a place to store the information and mechanisms to share that information with other network users.
Connections.
Administrators, instructors, and even students and guests can be connected using the campus network.
Services.
The school can provide services, such as registration, school directories, course schedules, access to research, and email accounts, and many others. (Remember, network services are generally provided by servers).
Internet.
The school can provide network users with access to the internet, via an internet gateway.
Computing resources.
The school can provide access to special purpose computing devices which individual users would not normally own. For example, a school network might have high-speed high quality printers strategically located around a campus for instructor or student use.
Flexible Access.
School networks allow students to access their information from connected devices throughout the school. Students can begin an assignment in their classroom, save part of it on a public access area of the network, then go to the media center after school to finish their work. Students can also work cooperatively through the network.
Workgroup Computing.
Collaborative software allows many users to work on a document or project concurrently. For example, educators located at various schools within a county could simultaneously contribute their ideas about new curriculum standards to the same document, spreadsheets, or website.
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.
Networki ng
Networki ng
 
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/
noun
noun: network; plural noun: networks
1.
an arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines.

"a spider constructs a complex network of several different kinds of threads"
synonyms: | web, criss-cross, grid, lattice, net, matrix, mesh, webbing, tracery, trellis; More
2.
a group or system of interconnected people or things.

"the company has a network of 326 branches"
synonyms: | system, complex, interconnected system/structure, complex system/arrangement, nexus, web; More
a complex system of railways, roads, or other routes.

"the railway network"
synonyms: | maze, labyrinth, warren, jungle, tangle"a network of narrow, winding lanes"
a group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes.

"a support network"
a group of broadcasting stations that connect for the simultaneous broadcast of a programme.

"network television"
a number of interconnected computers, machines, or operations.

"a computer network"
a system of connected electrical conductors.
verb
verb: network; 3rd person present: networks; past tense: networked; past participle: networked; gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.

"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.

"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.

"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

"it's so important to network when starting a new business"

Translate network toChoose languageAfrikaansAlbanianAmharicArabicArmenianAzerbaijaniBanglaBasqueBelarusianBosnianBulgarianBurmeseCatalanCebuanoChinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)CorsicanCroatianCzechDanishDutchEsperantoEstonianFilipinoFinnishFrenchGalicianGeorgianGermanGreekGujaratiHaitian CreoleHausaHawaiianHebrewHindiHmongHungarianIcelandicIgboIndonesianIrishItalianJapaneseJavaneseKannadaKazakhKhmerKoreanKurdishKyrgyzLaoLatinLatvianLithuanianLuxembourgishMacedonianMalagasyMalayMalayalamMalteseMaoriMarathiMongolianNepaliNorwegianNyanjaPashtoPersianPolishPortuguesePunjabiRomanianRussianSamoanScottish GaelicSerbianShonaSindhiSinhalaSlovakSlovenianSomaliSouthern SothoSpanishSundaneseSwahiliSwedishTajikTamilTeluguThaiTurkishUkrainianUrduUzbekVietnameseWelshWestern FrisianXhosaYiddishYorubaZulu

Use over time for: network
 
networking /ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit noun noun: networking 1. the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. "the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation" 2. the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively. "the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly" network /ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit verb gerund or present participle: networking 1. connect as or operate with a network. "compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked" BRITISH broadcast (a programme) on a network. "the Spurs match which ITV had networked" link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively. "more and more PCs are networked together" 2. interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. "it's so important to network when starting a new business"
networking
/ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit
noun
noun: networking
1.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"
2.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
"the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly"
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.
"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.
"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"it's so important to network when starting a new business"
A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. ... Two very common types of networks include: Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN)
A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. ... Two very common types of networks include: Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN)
kig
kig
What is Networking? Networking is a process that fosters the exchange of information and ideas among individuals or groups that share a common interest. It may be for social or business purposes. Professionals connect their business network through a series of symbolic ties and contacts. Business connections may form due to an individual's education, employer, industry or colleagues. For instance, a business network of Harvard Business School alumni may develop. Networking may also refer to the setting up and operation of a physical computer network. Breaking Down Networking Networking helps to develop professional relationships that may boost an individual’s future business and employment prospects. Networking events, such as industry conferences and seminars, are a common practice within professional organizations, which may also link up with other groups to stage a joint event or conference. Business Networking Strategies for expanding a business network include developing relationships with people and companies as well as exchanging contact information. Connections within a network usually maintain regular contact with each other to build rapport and gain trust. Instead of having many contacts, a small selective network may provide more benefit, even though it often takes longer to establish. Successful networking involves regularly engaging and following up with contacts in the network to provide and receive valuable information that is not readily available outside the network. For example, a business network consisting of accounting professionals may provide information to their connections about an upcoming employment opportunity. Online Networking Business networking has increased in popularity due to social networking websites. Networking platforms such as LinkedIn provide an online meeting place for business professionals to engage with other professionals, join groups, post blogs, share content and create online profiles with the objective of connecting with other people that have similar interests. LinkedIn allows users to search for companies, people and jobs. LinkedIn members can reach out to potential employees and connect them with human resources managers or recruiters. Likewise, a business-to-business customer pipeline could develop through the use of a social networking site. Online networking through forums allows professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and connect with like-minded people. Computer Networking Computer networking involves connecting computers in the same building or office so users can readily communicate with other computers or devices. Switches connect multiple devices in one building on the same network. Computers, for instance, can connect to printers, fax machines, scanners and servers through a switch. Routers tie multiple networks together, such as when a computer connects to an internet router to access the web. Routers control the information to and from computer networks through security software and programs.
What is Networking?
Networking is a process that fosters the exchange of information and ideas among individuals or groups that share a common interest. It may be for social or business purposes. Professionals connect their business network through a series of symbolic ties and contacts. Business connections may form due to an individual's education, employer, industry or colleagues. For instance, a business network of Harvard Business School alumni may develop. Networking may also refer to the setting up and operation of a physical computer network. 


Breaking Down Networking
Networking helps to develop professional relationships that may boost an individual’s future business and employment prospects. Networking events, such as industry conferences and seminars, are a common practice within professional organizations, which may also link up with other groups to stage a joint event or conference.

Business Networking
Strategies for expanding a business network include developing relationships with people and companies as well as exchanging contact information. Connections within a network usually maintain regular contact with each other to build rapport and gain trust. Instead of having many contacts, a small selective network may provide more benefit, even though it often takes longer to establish. Successful networking involves regularly engaging and following up with contacts in the network to provide and receive valuable information that is not readily available outside the network. For example, a business network consisting of accounting professionals may provide information to their connections about an upcoming employment opportunity.

Online Networking
Business networking has increased in popularity due to social networking websites. Networking platforms such as LinkedIn provide an online meeting place for business professionals to engage with other professionals, join groups, post blogs, share content and create online profiles with the objective of connecting with other people that have similar interests. LinkedIn allows users to search for companies, people and jobs. LinkedIn members can reach out to potential employees and connect them with human resources managers or recruiters. Likewise, a business-to-business customer pipeline could develop through the use of a social networking site. Online networking through forums allows professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and connect with like-minded people.

Computer Networking
Computer networking involves connecting computers in the same building or office so users can readily communicate with other computers or devices. Switches connect multiple devices in one building on the same network. Computers, for instance, can connect to printers, fax machines, scanners and servers through a switch. Routers tie multiple networks together, such as when a computer connects to an internet router to access the web. Routers control the information to and from computer networks through security software and programs.
networking /ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit noun noun: networking 1. the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. "the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation" 2. the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively. "the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly" network /ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit verb gerund or present participle: networking 1. connect as or operate with a network. "compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked" BRITISH broadcast (a programme) on a network. "the Spurs match which ITV had networked" link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively. "more and more PCs are networked together" 2. interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. "it's so important to network when starting a new business"
networking
/ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit
noun
noun: networking
1.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"
2.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
"the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly"
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.
"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.
"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"it's so important to network when starting a new business"
Networking Networking is a socioeconomic business activity by which business people and entrepreneurs meet to form business relationships and to recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities, share information and seek potential partners for ventures.
Networking
Networking is a socioeconomic business activity by which business people and entrepreneurs meet to form business relationships and to recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities, share information and seek potential partners for ventures.
Examples of network devices Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers. Consoles and thin clients. Firewalls. Bridges. Repeaters. Network Interface cards. Switches, hubs, modems, and routers. Smartphones and tablets.
Examples of network devices
Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls.
Bridges.
Repeaters.
Network Interface cards.
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.
A Brief History of the Internet In the Beginning: ARPANET The story of the Internet, and networking in general, can be traced back to the late 1950s. The US was in the depths of the Cold War with the USSR, and each nation closely watched the other to determine which would gain a military or intelligence advantage. In 1957, the Soviets surprised the US with the launch of Sputnik, propelling us into the space age. In response to Sputnik, the US Government created the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), whose initial role was to ensure that the US was not surprised again. It was from ARPA, now called DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), that the Internet first sprang. ARPA was the center of computing research in the 1960s, but there was just one problem: many of the computers could not talk to each other. In 1968, ARPA sent out a request for proposals for a communication technology that would allow different computers located around the country to be integrated together into one network. Twelve companies responded to the request, and a company named Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN) won the contract. They began work right away and were able to complete the job just one year later: in September, 1969, the ARPANET was turned on. The first four nodes were at UCLA, Stanford, MIT, and the University of Utah. The Internet and the World Wide Web Over the next decade, the ARPANET grew and gained popularity. During this time, other networks also came into existence. Different organizations were connected to different networks. This led to a problem: the networks could not talk to each other. Each network used its own proprietary language, or protocol (see sidebar for the definition of protocol), to send information back and forth. This problem was solved by the invention of transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP). TCP/IP was designed to allow networks running on different protocols to have an intermediary protocol that would allow them to communicate. So as long as your network supported TCP/IP, you could communicate with all of the other networks running TCP/IP. TCP/IP quickly became the standard protocol and allowed networks to communicate with each other. It is from this breakthrough that we first got the term Internet, which simply means “an interconnected network of networks.” Sidebar: An Internet Vocabulary Lesson Networking communication is full of some very technical concepts based on some simple principles. Learn the terms below and you’ll be able to hold your own in a conversation about the Internet. Packet: The fundamental unit of data transmitted over the Internet. When a device intends to send a message to another device (for example, your PC sends a request to YouTube to open a video), it breaks the message down into smaller pieces, called packets. Each packet has the sender’s address, the destination address, a sequence number, and a piece of the overall message to be sent. Hub: A simple network device that connects other devices to the network and sends packets to all the devices connected to it. Bridge: A network device that connects two networks together and only allows packets through that are needed. Switch: A network device that connects multiple devices together and filters packets based on their destination within the connected devices. Router: A device that receives and analyzes packets and then routes them towards their destination. In some cases, a router will send a packet to another router; in other cases, it will send it directly to its destination. IP Address: Every device that communicates on the Internet, whether it be a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or anything else, is assigned a unique identifying number called an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Historically, the IP-address standard used has been IPv4 (version 4), which has the format of four numbers between 0 and 255 separated by a period. For example, the domain Saylor.org has the IP address of 107.23.196.166. The IPv4 standard has a limit of 4,294,967,296 possible addresses. As the use of the Internet has proliferated, the number of IP addresses needed has grown to the point where the use of IPv4 addresses will be exhausted. This has led to the new IPv6 standard, which is currently being phased in. The IPv6 standard is formatted as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, such as 2001:0db8:85a3:0042:1000:8a2e:0370:7334. The IPv6 standard has a limit of 3.4×1038 possible addresses. For more detail about the new IPv6 standard, see this Wikipedia article. Domain name: If you had to try to remember the IP address of every web server you wanted to access, the Internet would not be nearly as easy to use. A domain name is a human-friendly name for a device on the Internet. These names generally consist of a descriptive text followed by the top-level domain (TLD). For example, Wikepedia’s domain name is wikipedia.org; wikipedia describes the organization and .org is the top-level domain. In this case, the .org TLD is designed for nonprofit organizations. Other well-known TLDs include .com, .net, and .gov. For a complete list and description of domain names, see this Wikipedia article. DNS: DNS stands for “domain name system,” which acts as the directory on the Internet. When a request to access a device with a domain name is given, a DNS server is queried. It returns the IP address of the device requested, allowing for proper routing. Packet-switching: When a packet is sent from one device out over the Internet, it does not follow a straight path to its destination. Instead, it is passed from one router to another across the Internet until it is reaches its destination. In fact, sometimes two packets from the same message will take different routes! Sometimes, packets will arrive at their destination out of order. When this happens, the receiving device restores them to their proper order. For more details on packet-switching, see this interactive web page. Protocol: In computer networking, a protocol is the set of rules that allow two (or more) devices to exchange information back and forth across the network. Worldwide Internet Use over 24 hour period (click to go to site of origin). Image courtesy of the Internet Census 2012 project. Public domain. Worldwide Internet use over 24-hour period (click to go to site of origin). (Public Domain. Courtesy of the Internet Census 2012 project.) As we moved into the 1980s, computers were added to the Internet at an increasing rate. These computers were primarily from government, academic, and research organizations. Much to the surprise of the engineers, the early popularity of the Internet was driven by the use of electronic mail (see sidebar below). Using the Internet in these early days was not easy. In order to access information on another server, you had to know how to type in the commands necessary to access it, as well as know the name of that device. That all changed in 1990, when Tim Berners-Lee introduced his World Wide Web project, which provided an easy way to navigate the Internet through the use of linked text (hypertext). The World Wide Web gained even more steam with the release of the Mosaic browser in 1993, which allowed graphics and text to be combined together as a way to present information and navigate the Internet. The Mosaic browser took off in popularity and was soon superseded by Netscape Navigator, the first commercial web browser, in 1994. The Internet and the World Wide Web were now poised for growth. The chart below shows the growth in users from the early days until now. InternetGrowth Growth of internet usage, 1995–2012 (click to enlarge). Data taken from InternetWorldStats.com. The Dot-Com Bubble In the 1980s and early 1990s, the Internet was being managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF had restricted commercial ventures on the Internet, which meant that no one could buy or sell anything online. In 1991, the NSF transferred its role to three other organizations, thus getting the US government out of direct control over the Internet and essentially opening up commerce online. This new commercialization of the Internet led to what is now known as the dot-com bubble. A frenzy of investment in new dot-com companies took place in the late 1990s, running up the stock market to new highs on a daily basis. This investment bubble was driven by the fact that investors knew that online commerce would change everything. Unfortunately, many of these new companies had poor business models and ended up with little to show for all of the funds that were invested in them. In 2000 and 2001, the bubble burst and many of these new companies went out of business. Many companies also survived, including the still-thriving Amazon (started in 1994) and eBay (1995). After the dot-com bubble burst, a new reality became clear: in order to succeed online, e-business companies would need to develop real business models and show that they could survive financially using this new technology. Web 2.0 In the first few years of the World Wide Web, creating and putting up a website required a specific set of knowledge: you had to know how to set up a server on the World Wide Web, how to get a domain name, how to write web pages in HTML, and how to troubleshoot various technical issues as they came up. Someone who did these jobs for a website became known as a webmaster. As the web gained in popularity, it became more and more apparent that those who did not have the skills to be a webmaster still wanted to create online content and have their own piece of the web. This need was met with new technologies that provided a website framework for those who wanted to put content online. Blogger and Wikipedia are examples of these early Web 2.0 applications, which allowed anyone with something to say a place to go and say it, without the need for understanding HTML or web-server technology. Starting in the early 2000s, Web 2.0 applications began a second bubble of optimism and investment. It seemed that everyone wanted their own blog or photo-sharing site. Here are some of the companies that came of age during this time: MySpace (2003), Photobucket (2003), Flickr (2004), Facebook (2004), WordPress (2005), Tumblr (2006), and Twitter (2006). The ultimate indication that Web 2.0 had taken hold was when Time magazine named “You” its “Person of the Year” in 2006. Sidebar: E-mail Is the “Killer” App for the Internet When the personal computer was created, it was a great little toy for technology hobbyists and armchair programmers. As soon as the spreadsheet was invented, however, businesses took notice, and the rest is history. The spreadsheet was the killer app for the personal computer: people bought PCs just so they could run spreadsheets. The Internet was originally designed as a way for scientists and researchers to share information and computing power among themselves. However, as soon as electronic mail was invented, it began driving demand for the Internet. This wasn’t what the developers had in mind, but it turned out that people connecting to people was the killer app for the Internet. We are seeing this again today with social networks, specifically Facebook. Many who weren’t convinced to have an online presence now feel left out without a Facebook account. The connections made between people using Web 2.0 applications like Facebook on their personal computer or smartphone is driving growth yet again. Sidebar: The Internet and the World Wide Web Are Not the Same Thing Many times, the terms “Internet” and “World Wide Web,” or even just “the web,” are used interchangeably. But really, they are not the same thing at all! The Internet is an interconnected network of networks. Many services run across the Internet: electronic mail, voice and video, file transfers, and, yes, the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web is simply one piece of the Internet. It is made up of web servers that have HTML pages that are being viewed on devices with web browsers. It is really that simple. The Growth of Broadband In the early days of the Internet, most access was done via a modem over an analog telephone line. A modem (short for “modulator-demodulator”) was connected to the incoming phone line and a computer in order to connect you to a network. Speeds were measured in bits-per-second (bps), with speeds growing from 1200 bps to 56,000 bps over the years. Connection to the Internet via these modems is called dial-up access. Dial-up was very inconvenient because it tied up the phone line. As the web became more and more interactive, dial-up also hindered usage, as users wanted to transfer more and more data. As a point of reference, downloading a typical 3.5 mb song would take 24 minutes at 1200 bps and 2 minutes at 28,800 bps. A broadband connection is defined as one that has speeds of at least 256,000 bps, though most connections today are much faster, measured in millions of bits per second (megabits or mbps) or even billions (gigabits). For the home user, a broadband connection is usually accomplished via the cable television lines or phone lines (DSL). Both cable and DSL have similar prices and speeds, though each individual may find that one is better than the other for their specific area. Speeds for cable and DSL can vary during different times of the day or week, depending upon how much data traffic is being used. In more remote areas, where cable and phone companies do not provide access, home Internet connections can be made via satellite. The average home broadband speed is anywhere between 3 mbps and 30 mbps. At 10 mbps, downloading a typical 3.5 mb song would take less than a second. For businesses who require more bandwidth and reliability, telecommunications companies can provide other options, such as T1 and T3 lines. Growth of Broadband Use (Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project Surveys) Growth of broadband use (Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project Surveys) Broadband access is important because it impacts how the Internet is used. When a community has access to broadband, it allows them to interact more online and increases the usage of digital tools overall. Access to broadband is now considered a basic human right by the United Nations, as declared in their 2011 statement: “Broadband technologies are fundamentally transforming the way we live,” the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, set up last year by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN International Telecommunications Union (ITU), said in issuing “The Broadband Challenge” at a leadership summit in Geneva. “It is vital that no one be excluded from the new global knowledge societies we are building. We believe that communication is not just a human need – it is a right.”[1] Wireless Networking Today we are used to being able to access the Internet wherever we go. Our smartphones can access the Internet; Starbucks provides wireless “hotspots” for our laptops or iPads. These wireless technologies have made Internet access more convenient and have made devices such as tablets and laptops much more functional. Let’s examine a few of these wireless technologies. Wi-Fi Wi-Fi is a technology that takes an Internet signal and converts it into radio waves. These radio waves can be picked up within a radius of approximately 65 feet by devices with a wireless adapter. Several Wi-Fi specifications have been developed over the years, starting with 802.11b (1999), followed by the 802.11g specification in 2003 and 802.11n in 2009. Each new specification improved the speed and range of Wi-Fi, allowing for more uses. One of the primary places where Wi-Fi is being used is in the home. Home users are purchasing Wi-Fi routers, connecting them to their broadband connections, and then connecting multiple devices via Wi-Fi. Mobile Network As the cellphone has evolved into the smartphone, the desire for Internet access on these devices has led to data networks being included as part of the mobile phone network. While Internet connections were technically available earlier, it was really with the release of the 3G networks in 2001 (2002 in the US) that smartphones and other cellular devices could access data from the Internet. This new capability drove the market for new and more powerful smartphones, such as the iPhone, introduced in 2007. In 2011, wireless carriers began offering 4G data speeds, giving the cellular networks the same speeds that customers were used to getting via their home connection. Sidebar: Why Doesn’t My Cellphone Work When I Travel Abroad? As mobile phone technologies have evolved, providers in different countries have chosen different communication standards for their mobile phone networks. In the US, both of the two competing standards exist: GSM (used by AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (used by the other major carriers). Each standard has its pros and cons, but the bottom line is that phones using one standard cannot easily switch to the other. In the US, this is not a big deal because mobile networks exist to support both standards. But when you travel to other countries, you will find that most of them use GSM networks, with the one big exception being Japan, which has standardized on CDMA. It is possible for a mobile phone using one type of network to switch to the other type of network by switching out the SIM card, which controls your access to the mobile network. However, this will not work in all cases. If you are traveling abroad, it is always best to consult with your mobile provider to determine the best way to access a mobile network. Bluetooth Bluetooth-logo While Bluetooth is not generally used to connect a device to the Internet, it is an important wireless technology that has enabled many functionalities that are used every day. When created in 1994 by Ericsson, it was intended to replace wired connections between devices. Today, it is the standard method for connecting nearby devices wirelessly. Bluetooth has a range of approximately 300 feet and consumes very little power, making it an excellent choice for a variety of purposes. Some applications of Bluetooth include: connecting a printer to a personal computer, connecting a mobile phone and headset, connecting a wireless keyboard and mouse to a computer, and connecting a remote for a presentation made on a personal computer. VoIP A typical VoIP communication. Image courtesy of BroadVoice. A typical VoIP communication. Image courtesy of BroadVoice. A growing class of data being transferred over the Internet is voice data. A protocol called voice over IP, or VoIP, enables sounds to be converted to a digital format for transmission over the Internet and then re-created at the other end. By using many existing technologies and software, voice communication over the Internet is now available to anyone with a browser (think Skype, Google Hangouts). Beyond this, many companies are now offering VoIP-based telephone service for business and home use. Organizational Networking LAN and WAN Intranet Extranet Diagram Scope of business networks While the Internet was evolving and creating a way for organizations to connect to each other and the world, another revolution was taking place inside organizations. The proliferation of personal computers inside organizations led to the need to share resources such as printers, scanners, and data. Organizations solved this problem through the creation of local area networks (LANs), which allowed computers to connect to each other and to peripherals. These same networks also allowed personal computers to hook up to legacy mainframe computers. An LAN is (by definition) a local network, usually operating in the same building or on the same campus. When an organization needed to provide a network over a wider area (with locations in different cities or states, for example), they would build a wide area network (WAN). Client-Server The personal computer originally was used as a stand-alone computing device. A program was installed on the computer and then used to do word processing or number crunching. However, with the advent of networking and local area networks, computers could work together to solve problems. Higher-end computers were installed as servers, and users on the local network could run applications and share information among departments and organizations. This is called client-server computing. Intranet Just as organizations set up web sites to provide global access to information about their business, they also set up internal web pages to provide information about the organization to the employees. This internal set of web pages is called an intranet. Web pages on the intranet are not accessible to those outside the company; in fact, those pages would come up as “not found” if an employee tried to access them from outside the company’s network. Extranet Sometimes an organization wants to be able to collaborate with its customers or suppliers while at the same time maintaining the security of being inside its own network. In cases like this a company may want to create an extranet, which is a part of the company’s network that can be made available securely to those outside of the company. Extranets can be used to allow customers to log in and check the status of their orders, or for suppliers to check their customers’ inventory levels. Sometimes, an organization will need to allow someone who is not located physically within its internal network to gain access. This access can be provided by a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs will be discussed further in the chapter 6 (on information security). Sidebar: Microsoft’s SharePoint Powers the Intranet As organizations begin to see the power of collaboration between their employees, they often look for solutions that will allow them to leverage their intranet to enable more collaboration. Since most companies use Microsoft products for much of their computing, it is only natural that they have looked to Microsoft to provide a solution. This solution is Microsoft’s SharePoint. SharePoint provides a communication and collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft’s Office suite of applications. Using SharePoint, employees can share a document and edit it together – no more e-mailing that Word document to everyone for review. Projects and documents can be managed collaboratively across the organization. Corporate documents are indexed and made available for search. No more asking around for that procedures document – now you just search for it in SharePoint. For organizations looking to add a social networking component to their intranet, Microsoft offers Yammer, which can be used by itself or integrated into SharePoint.
A Brief History of the Internet
In the Beginning: ARPANET
The story of the Internet, and networking in general, can be traced back to the late 1950s. The US was in the depths of the Cold War with the USSR, and each nation closely watched the other to determine which would gain a military or intelligence advantage. In 1957, the Soviets surprised the US with the launch of Sputnik, propelling us into the space age. In response to Sputnik, the US Government created the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), whose initial role was to ensure that the US was not surprised again. It was from ARPA, now called DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), that the Internet first sprang.

ARPA was the center of computing research in the 1960s, but there was just one problem: many of the computers could not talk to each other. In 1968, ARPA sent out a request for proposals for a communication technology that would allow different computers located around the country to be integrated together into one network. Twelve companies responded to the request, and a company named Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN) won the contract. They began work right away and were able to complete the job just one year later: in September, 1969, the ARPANET was turned on. The first four nodes were at UCLA, Stanford, MIT, and the University of Utah.

The Internet and the World Wide Web
Over the next decade, the ARPANET grew and gained popularity. During this time, other networks also came into existence. Different organizations were connected to different networks. This led to a problem: the networks could not talk to each other. Each network used its own proprietary language, or protocol (see sidebar for the definition of protocol), to send information back and forth. This problem was solved by the invention of transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP). TCP/IP was designed to allow networks running on different protocols to have an intermediary protocol that would allow them to communicate. So as long as your network supported TCP/IP, you could communicate with all of the other networks running TCP/IP. TCP/IP quickly became the standard protocol and allowed networks to communicate with each other. It is from this breakthrough that we first got the term Internet, which simply means “an interconnected network of networks.”

Sidebar: An Internet Vocabulary Lesson
Networking communication is full of some very technical concepts based on some simple principles. Learn the terms below and you’ll be able to hold your own in a conversation about the Internet.

Packet: The fundamental unit of data transmitted over the Internet. When a device intends to send a message to another device (for example, your PC sends a request to YouTube to open a video), it breaks the message down into smaller pieces, called packets. Each packet has the sender’s address, the destination address, a sequence number, and a piece of the overall message to be sent.
Hub: A simple network device that connects other devices to the network and sends packets to all the devices connected to it.
Bridge: A network device that connects two networks together and only allows packets through that are needed.
Switch: A network device that connects multiple devices together and filters packets based on their destination within the connected devices. 
Router: A device that receives and analyzes packets and then routes them towards their destination. In some cases, a router will send a packet to another router; in other cases, it will send it directly to its destination.
IP Address: Every device that communicates on the Internet, whether it be a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or anything else, is assigned a unique identifying number called an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Historically, the IP-address standard used has been IPv4 (version 4), which has the format of four numbers between 0 and 255 separated by a period. For example, the domain Saylor.org has the IP address of 107.23.196.166. The IPv4 standard has a limit of 4,294,967,296 possible addresses. As the use of the Internet has proliferated, the number of IP addresses needed has grown to the point where the use of IPv4 addresses will be exhausted. This has led to the new IPv6 standard, which is currently being phased in. The IPv6 standard is formatted as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, such as 2001:0db8:85a3:0042:1000:8a2e:0370:7334. The IPv6 standard has a limit of 3.4×1038 possible addresses. For more detail about the new IPv6 standard, see this Wikipedia article.
Domain name: If you had to try to remember the IP address of every web server you wanted to access, the Internet would not be nearly as easy to use. A domain name is a human-friendly name for a device on the Internet. These names generally consist of a descriptive text followed by the top-level domain (TLD). For example, Wikepedia’s domain name is wikipedia.org; wikipedia describes the organization and .org is the top-level domain. In this case, the .org TLD is designed for nonprofit organizations. Other well-known TLDs include .com, .net, and .gov. For a complete list and description of domain names, see this Wikipedia article.
DNS: DNS stands for “domain name system,” which acts as the directory on the Internet. When a request to access a device with a domain name is given, a DNS server is queried. It returns the IP address of the device requested, allowing for proper routing.
Packet-switching: When a packet is sent from one device out over the Internet, it does not follow a straight path to its destination. Instead, it is passed from one router to another across the Internet until it is reaches its destination. In fact, sometimes two packets from the same message will take different routes! Sometimes, packets will arrive at their destination out of order. When this happens, the receiving device restores them to their proper order. For more details on packet-switching, see this interactive web page.
Protocol: In computer networking, a protocol is the set of rules that allow two (or more) devices to exchange information back and forth across the network.
 

Worldwide Internet Use over 24 hour period (click to go to site of origin). Image courtesy of the Internet Census 2012 project. Public domain.
Worldwide Internet use over 24-hour period (click to go to site of origin). (Public Domain. Courtesy of the Internet Census 2012 project.)
As we moved into the 1980s, computers were added to the Internet at an increasing rate. These computers were primarily from government, academic, and research organizations. Much to the surprise of the engineers, the early popularity of the Internet was driven by the use of electronic mail (see sidebar below).

Using the Internet in these early days was not easy. In order to access information on another server, you had to know how to type in the commands necessary to access it, as well as know the name of that device. That all changed in 1990, when Tim Berners-Lee introduced his World Wide Web project, which provided an easy way to navigate the Internet through the use of linked text (hypertext). The World Wide Web gained even more steam with the release of the Mosaic browser in 1993, which allowed graphics and text to be combined together as a way to present information and navigate the Internet. The Mosaic browser took off in popularity and was soon superseded by Netscape Navigator, the first commercial web browser, in 1994. The Internet and the World Wide Web were now poised for growth. The chart below shows the growth in users from the early days until now.

InternetGrowth
Growth of internet usage, 1995–2012 (click to enlarge). Data taken from InternetWorldStats.com.
The Dot-Com Bubble
In the 1980s and early 1990s, the Internet was being managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF had restricted commercial ventures on the Internet, which meant that no one could buy or sell anything online. In 1991, the NSF transferred its role to three other organizations, thus getting the US government out of direct control over the Internet and essentially opening up commerce online.

This new commercialization of the Internet led to what is now known as the dot-com bubble. A frenzy of investment in new dot-com companies took place in the late 1990s, running up the stock market to new highs on a daily basis. This investment bubble was driven by the fact that investors knew that online commerce would change everything. Unfortunately, many of these new companies had poor business models and ended up with little to show for all of the funds that were invested in them. In 2000 and 2001, the bubble burst and many of these new companies went out of business. Many companies also survived, including the still-thriving Amazon (started in 1994) and eBay (1995). After the dot-com bubble burst, a new reality became clear: in order to succeed online, e-business companies would need to develop real business models and show that they could survive financially using this new technology.

Web 2.0
In the first few years of the World Wide Web, creating and putting up a website required a specific set of knowledge: you had to know how to set up a server on the World Wide Web, how to get a domain name, how to write web pages in HTML, and how to troubleshoot various technical issues as they came up. Someone who did these jobs for a website became known as a webmaster.

As the web gained in popularity, it became more and more apparent that those who did not have the skills to be a webmaster still wanted to create online content and have their own piece of the web. This need was met with new technologies that provided a website framework for those who wanted to put content online. Blogger and Wikipedia are examples of these early Web 2.0 applications, which allowed anyone with something to say a place to go and say it, without the need for understanding HTML or web-server technology.

Starting in the early 2000s, Web 2.0 applications began a second bubble of optimism and investment. It seemed that everyone wanted their own blog or photo-sharing site. Here are some of the companies that came of age during this time: MySpace (2003), Photobucket (2003), Flickr (2004), Facebook (2004), WordPress (2005), Tumblr (2006), and Twitter (2006). The ultimate indication that Web 2.0 had taken hold was when Time magazine named “You” its “Person of the Year” in 2006.

Sidebar: E-mail Is the “Killer” App for the Internet
When the personal computer was created, it was a great little toy for technology hobbyists and armchair programmers. As soon as the spreadsheet was invented, however, businesses took notice, and the rest is history. The spreadsheet was the killer app for the personal computer: people bought PCs just so they could run spreadsheets.

The Internet was originally designed as a way for scientists and researchers to share information and computing power among themselves. However, as soon as electronic mail was invented, it began driving demand for the Internet. This wasn’t what the developers had in mind, but it turned out that people connecting to people was the killer app for the Internet.

We are seeing this again today with social networks, specifically Facebook. Many who weren’t convinced to have an online presence now feel left out without a Facebook account. The connections made between people using Web 2.0 applications like Facebook on their personal computer or smartphone is driving growth yet again.

Sidebar: The Internet and the World Wide Web Are Not the Same Thing
Many times, the terms “Internet” and “World Wide Web,” or even just “the web,” are used interchangeably. But really, they are not the same thing at all! The Internet is an interconnected network of networks. Many services run across the Internet: electronic mail, voice and video, file transfers, and, yes, the World Wide Web.

The World Wide Web is simply one piece of the Internet. It is made up of web servers that have HTML pages that are being viewed on devices with web browsers. It is really that simple.

The Growth of Broadband
In the early days of the Internet, most access was done via a modem over an analog telephone line. A modem (short for “modulator-demodulator”) was connected to the incoming phone line and a computer in order to connect you to a network. Speeds were measured in bits-per-second (bps), with speeds growing from 1200 bps to 56,000 bps over the years. Connection to the Internet via these modems is called dial-up access. Dial-up was very inconvenient because it tied up the phone line. As the web became more and more interactive, dial-up also hindered usage, as users wanted to transfer more and more data. As a point of reference, downloading a typical 3.5 mb song would take 24 minutes at 1200 bps and 2 minutes at 28,800 bps.

A broadband connection is defined as one that has speeds of at least 256,000 bps, though most connections today are much faster, measured in millions of bits per second (megabits or mbps) or even billions (gigabits). For the home user, a broadband connection is usually accomplished via the cable television lines or phone lines (DSL). Both cable and DSL have similar prices and speeds, though each individual may find that one is better than the other for their specific area. Speeds for cable and DSL can vary during different times of the day or week, depending upon how much data traffic is being used. In more remote areas, where cable and phone companies do not provide access, home Internet connections can be made via satellite. The average home broadband speed is anywhere between 3 mbps and 30 mbps. At 10 mbps, downloading a typical 3.5 mb song would take less than a second. For businesses who require more bandwidth and reliability, telecommunications companies can provide other options, such as T1 and T3 lines.

Growth of Broadband Use (Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project Surveys)
Growth of broadband use (Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project Surveys)
Broadband access is important because it impacts how the Internet is used. When a community has access to broadband, it allows them to interact more online and increases the usage of digital tools overall. Access to broadband is now considered a basic human right by the United Nations, as declared in their 2011 statement: 

“Broadband technologies are fundamentally transforming the way we live,” the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, set up last year by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN International Telecommunications Union (ITU), said in issuing “The Broadband Challenge” at a leadership summit in Geneva.

“It is vital that no one be excluded from the new global knowledge societies we are building. We believe that communication is not just a human need – it is a right.”[1]

Wireless Networking
Today we are used to being able to access the Internet wherever we go. Our smartphones can access the Internet; Starbucks provides wireless “hotspots” for our laptops or iPads. These wireless technologies have made Internet access more convenient and have made devices such as tablets and laptops much more functional. Let’s examine a few of these wireless technologies.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a technology that takes an Internet signal and converts it into radio waves. These radio waves can be picked up within a radius of approximately 65 feet by devices with a wireless adapter. Several Wi-Fi specifications have been developed over the years, starting with 802.11b (1999), followed by the 802.11g specification in 2003 and 802.11n in 2009. Each new specification improved the speed and range of Wi-Fi, allowing for more uses. One of the primary places where Wi-Fi is being used is in the home. Home users are purchasing Wi-Fi routers, connecting them to their broadband connections, and then connecting multiple devices via Wi-Fi.

Mobile Network
As the cellphone has evolved into the smartphone, the desire for Internet access on these devices has led to data networks being included as part of the mobile phone network. While Internet connections were technically available earlier, it was really with the release of the 3G networks in 2001 (2002 in the US) that smartphones and other cellular devices could access data from the Internet. This new capability drove the market for new and more powerful smartphones, such as the iPhone, introduced in 2007. In 2011, wireless carriers began offering 4G data speeds, giving the cellular networks the same speeds that customers were used to getting via their home connection.

 

Sidebar: Why Doesn’t My Cellphone Work When I Travel Abroad?
As mobile phone technologies have evolved, providers in different countries have chosen different communication standards for their mobile phone networks. In the US, both of the two competing standards exist: GSM (used by AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (used by the other major carriers). Each standard has its pros and cons, but the bottom line is that phones using one standard cannot easily switch to the other. In the US, this is not a big deal because mobile networks exist to support both standards. But when you travel to other countries, you will find that most of them use GSM networks, with the one big exception being Japan, which has standardized on CDMA. It is possible for a mobile phone using one type of network to switch to the other type of network by switching out the SIM card, which controls your access to the mobile network. However, this will not work in all cases. If you are traveling abroad, it is always best to consult with your mobile provider to determine the best way to access a mobile network.

Bluetooth
Bluetooth-logo
While Bluetooth is not generally used to connect a device to the Internet, it is an important wireless technology that has enabled many functionalities that are used every day. When created in 1994 by Ericsson, it was intended to replace wired connections between devices. Today, it is the standard method for connecting nearby devices wirelessly. Bluetooth has a range of approximately 300 feet and consumes very little power, making it an excellent choice for a variety of purposes. Some applications of Bluetooth include: connecting a printer to a personal computer, connecting a mobile phone and headset, connecting a wireless keyboard and mouse to a computer, and connecting a remote for a presentation made on a personal computer.

VoIP
A typical VoIP communication.  Image courtesy of BroadVoice.
A typical VoIP communication. Image courtesy of BroadVoice.
A growing class of data being transferred over the Internet is voice data. A protocol called voice over IP, or VoIP, enables sounds to be converted to a digital format for transmission over the Internet and then re-created at the other end. By using many existing technologies and software, voice communication over the Internet is now available to anyone with a browser (think Skype, Google Hangouts). Beyond this, many companies are now offering VoIP-based telephone service for business and home use.

 

Organizational Networking
LAN and WAN
Intranet Extranet Diagram
Scope of business networks
While the Internet was evolving and creating a way for organizations to connect to each other and the world, another revolution was taking place inside organizations. The proliferation of personal computers inside organizations led to the need to share resources such as printers, scanners, and data. Organizations solved this problem through the creation of local area networks (LANs), which allowed computers to connect to each other and to peripherals. These same networks also allowed personal computers to hook up to legacy mainframe computers.

An LAN is (by definition) a local network, usually operating in the same building or on the same campus. When an organization needed to provide a network over a wider area (with locations in different cities or states, for example), they would build a wide area network (WAN).

Client-Server
The personal computer originally was used as a stand-alone computing device. A program was installed on the computer and then used to do word processing or number crunching. However, with the advent of networking and local area networks, computers could work together to solve problems. Higher-end computers were installed as servers, and users on the local network could run applications and share information among departments and organizations. This is called client-server computing.

 

Intranet
Just as organizations set up web sites to provide global access to information about their business, they also set up internal web pages to provide information about the organization to the employees. This internal set of web pages is called an intranet. Web pages on the intranet are not accessible to those outside the company; in fact, those pages would come up as “not found” if an employee tried to access them from outside the company’s network.

Extranet
Sometimes an organization wants to be able to collaborate with its customers or suppliers while at the same time maintaining the security of being inside its own network. In cases like this a company may want to create an extranet, which is a part of the company’s network that can be made available securely to those outside of the company. Extranets can be used to allow customers to log in and check the status of their orders, or for suppliers to check their customers’ inventory levels.

Sometimes, an organization will need to allow someone who is not located physically within its internal network to gain access. This access can be provided by a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs will be discussed further in the chapter 6 (on information security).

Sidebar: Microsoft’s SharePoint Powers the Intranet
As organizations begin to see the power of collaboration between their employees, they often look for solutions that will allow them to leverage their intranet to enable more collaboration. Since most companies use Microsoft products for much of their computing, it is only natural that they have looked to Microsoft to provide a solution. This solution is Microsoft’s SharePoint.

SharePoint provides a communication and collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft’s Office suite of applications. Using SharePoint, employees can share a document and edit it together – no more e-mailing that Word document to everyone for review. Projects and documents can be managed collaboratively across the organization. Corporate documents are indexed and made available for search. No more asking around for that procedures document – now you just search for it in SharePoint. For organizations looking to add a social networking component to their intranet, Microsoft offers Yammer, which can be used by itself or integrated into SharePoint.
This is the oxford Dictionary Definition network NOUN 1An arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines. ‘a spider constructs a complex network of several different kinds of threads’ More example sentencesSynonyms 2A group or system of interconnected people or things. ‘the company has a network of 326 branches’ ‘a trade network’ More example sentencesSynonyms 2.1 A complex system of railways, roads, or other routes. ‘the railway network’ More example sentencesSynonyms 2.2 A group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes. ‘a support network’ More example sentences 2.3 A group of broadcasting stations that connect for the simultaneous broadcast of a programme. as modifier ‘network television’ More example sentences 2.4 A number of interconnected computers, machines, or operations. ‘a computer network’ More example sentences 2.5 A system of connected electrical conductors. Example sentences VERB 1with object Connect as or operate with a network. ‘compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked’ More example sentences 1.1British Broadcast (a programme) on a network. ‘the Spurs match which ITV had networked’ More example sentences 1.2 Link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively. ‘more and more PCs are networked together’ ‘networked workstations’ More example sentences 2often as noun networkingno object Interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. ‘the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation’ More example sentences Pronunciation network/ˈnɛtwəːk/
This is the oxford Dictionary Definition
network
NOUN
1An arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines.

‘a spider constructs a complex network of several different kinds of threads’
More example sentencesSynonyms
2A group or system of interconnected people or things.

‘the company has a network of 326 branches’
‘a trade network’
More example sentencesSynonyms
2.1 A complex system of railways, roads, or other routes.
‘the railway network’
More example sentencesSynonyms
2.2 A group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes.
‘a support network’
More example sentences
2.3 A group of broadcasting stations that connect for the simultaneous broadcast of a programme.
as modifier ‘network television’
More example sentences
2.4 A number of interconnected computers, machines, or operations.
‘a computer network’
More example sentences
2.5 A system of connected electrical conductors.
Example sentences

VERB
1with object Connect as or operate with a network.

‘compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked’
More example sentences
1.1British Broadcast (a programme) on a network.
‘the Spurs match which ITV had networked’
More example sentences
1.2 Link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
‘more and more PCs are networked together’
‘networked workstations’
More example sentences
2often as noun networkingno object Interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

‘the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation’
More example sentences
Pronunciation
network/ˈnɛtwəːk/
topology /təˈpɒlədʒi/Submit noun noun: topology 1. MATHEMATICS the study of geometrical properties and spatial relations unaffected by the continuous change of shape or size of figures. a family of open subsets of an abstract space such that the union and the intersection of any two of them are members of the family, and which includes the space itself and the empty set. plural noun: topologies 2. the way in which constituent parts are interrelated or arranged. "the topology of a computer network"
topology
/təˈpɒlədʒi/Submit
noun
noun: topology
1.
MATHEMATICS
the study of geometrical properties and spatial relations unaffected by the continuous change of shape or size of figures.
a family of open subsets of an abstract space such that the union and the intersection of any two of them are members of the family, and which includes the space itself and the empty set.
plural noun: topologies
2.
the way in which constituent parts are interrelated or arranged.
"the topology of a computer network"
Networks are like our school network, where multiple devices cam be connected by one main router or network provider.
Networks are like our school network, where multiple devices cam be connected by one main router or network provider.
Network yo
Network yo
 
Some of the different networks based on size are:
Personal area network, or PAN.
Local area network, or LAN.
Metropolitan area network, or MAN.
Wide area network, or WAN. 

Examples of network devices Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers. Consoles and thin clients. Firewalls. Bridges. Repeaters. Network Interface cards. Switches, hubs, modems, and routers. Smartphones and tablets.
Examples of network devices
Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls.
Bridges.
Repeaters.
Network Interface cards.
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.
there are different types of networks, like train networks, bus networks, wifi networks, etc.
there are different types of networks, like train networks, bus networks, wifi networks, etc.
Networking is the connection to the internet.
Networking is the connection to the internet.
What Is Networking?
What Is Networking?
 A computer network is a digital telecommunications network which allows nodes to share resources. 
It allows one or more computers are connected by one main server.
Networking
Networking
 the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. 
Is this like how the NSG Domain server works? (eg. OUR COMPUTER
Is this like how the  NSG Domain server works? (eg. OUR COMPUTER
        
Examples of networks: Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers. Consoles and thin clients. Firewalls. Bridges. Repeaters. Network Interface cards. Switches, hubs, modems, and routers. Smartphones and tablets.
Examples of networks:

Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls.
Bridges.
Repeaters.
Network Interface cards.
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.
NeTwOrKiNg!!!!!
NeTwOrKiNg!!!!!
networking /ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit noun noun: networking 1. the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. "the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation" 2. the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively. "the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly" network /ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit verb gerund or present participle: networking 1. connect as or operate with a network. "compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked" BRITISH broadcast (a programme) on a network. "the Spurs match which ITV had networked" link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively. "more and more PCs are networked together" 2. interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. "it's so important to network when starting a new business"
networking
/ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit
noun
noun: networking
1.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"
2.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
"the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly"
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.
"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.
"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"it's so important to network when starting a new business"

Networking is where it allows nodes to share resourses
Networking is where it allows nodes to share resourses
Networking is the connection to the internet
Networking is the connection to the internet
Netwowk
Netwowk
is this the same sort of networking we did in maths?
is this the same sort of networking we did in maths?
!!!!!!!!!!!
Without networks we would have no internet
Without networks we would have no internet
The internet is a network
The internet is a network
a network is a connection of different points and lines between the points
a network is a connection of different points and lines between the points
 the action or proce
 the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. 
etworking is how we connect to the internet wirelessly. (think?)
etworking is how we connect to the internet wirelessly. (think?)
i am in!!!!
i am in!!!!
Networkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Networkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Netwprks are ways that we connect things
Netwprks are ways that we connect things
Networking is...
Networking is...

# data[].attributes.body
networking connects us all!

# data[].attributes.headline
Typically, a WAN consists of two or more local-area-networks (LANs). Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites. The largest WAN in existence is the Internet.

# data[].attributes.subject
Typically, a WAN consists of two or more local-area-networks (LANs). Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites. The largest WAN in existence is the Internet.

# data[].attributes.headline
This is the 11 main networks and a brief explanation of each.

# data[].attributes.subject
This is the 11 main networks and a brief explanation of each.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Personal Area Network (PAN)

The smallest and most basic type of network, a PAN is made up of a wireless modem, a computer or two, phones, printers, tablets, etc., and revolves around one person in one building. These types of networks are typically found in small offices or residences, and are managed by one person or organization from a single device.

2. Local Area Network (LAN)

We’re confident that you’ve heard of these types of networks before – LANs are the most frequently discussed networks, one of the most common, one of the most original and one of the simplest types of networks. LANs connect groups of computers and low-voltage devices together across short distances (within a building or between a group of two or three buildings in close proximity to each other) to share information and resources. Enterprises typically manage and maintain LANs.

Using routers, LANs can connect to wide area networks (WANs, explained below) to rapidly and safely transfer data.

3. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

Functioning like a LAN, WLANs make use of wireless network technology, such as WiFi. Typically seen in the same types of applications as LANs, these types of networks don’t require that devices rely on physical cables to connect to the network.

4. Campus Area Network (CAN)

Larger than LANs, but smaller than metropolitan area networks (MANs, explained below), these types of networks are typically seen in universities, large K-12 school districts or small businesses. They can be spread across several buildings that are fairly close to each other so users can share resources.

5. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

These types of networks are larger than LANs but smaller than WANs – and incorporate elements from both types of networks. MANs span an entire geographic area (typically a town or city, but sometimes a campus). Ownership and maintenance is handled by either a single person or company (a local council, a large company, etc.).

6. Wide Area Network (WAN)

Slightly more complex than a LAN, a WAN connects computers together across longer physical distances. This allows computers and low-voltage devices to be remotely connected to each other over one large network to communicate even when they’re miles apart.

The Internet is the most basic example of a WAN, connecting all computers together around the world. Because of a WAN’s vast reach, it is typically owned and maintained by multiple administrators or the public.

7. Storage-Area Network (SAN)

As a dedicated high-speed network that connects shared pools of storage devices to several servers, these types of networks don’t rely on a LAN or WAN. Instead, they move storage resources away from the network and place them into their own high-performance network. SANs can be accessed in the same fashion as a drive attached to a server. Types of storage-area networks include converged, virtual and unified SANs.

8. System-Area Network (also known as SAN)

This term is fairly new within the past two decades. It is used to explain a relatively local network that is designed to provide high-speed connection in server-to-server applications (cluster environments), storage area networks (called “SANs” as well) and processor-to-processor applications. The computers connected on a SAN operate as a single system at very high speeds.

9. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)

As an alternative to traditional switch-based Ethernet LANs, POLAN technology can be integrated into structured cabling to overcome concerns about supporting traditional Ethernet protocols and network applications such as PoE (Power over Ethernet). A point-to-multipoint LAN architecture, POLAN uses optical splitters to split an optical signal from one strand of singlemode optical fiber into multiple signals to serve users and devices.

10. Enterprise Private Network (EPN)

These types of networks are built and owned by businesses that want to securely connect its various locations to share computer resources.

11. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

By extending a private network across the Internet, a VPN lets its users send and receive data as if their devices were connected to the private network – even if they’re not. Through a virtual point-to-point connection, users can access a private network remotely.

If you have questions about which type of network is right for your organization, or want to learn more about Belden’s network solutions that improve uptime, maintain security, and help improve user access, check out info.belden.com/lan.

# data[].attributes.body
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network

Expensive to Install.

Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.

Requires Administrative Time.

Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.

Servers Fail.

Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.

Cables May Break.

The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.

Security and compliance.

Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.headline
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.subject
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.headline
11 Types of Networks Explained: VPN, LAN & More
Personal Area Network (PAN) ...
Local Area Network (LAN) ...
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) ...
Campus Area Network (CAN) ...
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) ...
Wide Area Network (WAN) ...
Storage-Area Network (SAN) ...
System-Area Network (also known as SAN)

# data[].attributes.subject
11 Types of Networks Explained: VPN, LAN & More
Personal Area Network (PAN) ...
Local Area Network (LAN) ...
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) ...
Campus Area Network (CAN) ...
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) ...
Wide Area Network (WAN) ...
Storage-Area Network (SAN) ...
System-Area Network (also known as SAN)

# data[].attributes.headline
What is a Network?
A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

Two very common types of networks include:

Local Area Network (LAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
You may also see references to a Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), or a Wireless WAN (WWAN).

Local Area Network
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or building.

Computers connected to a network are broadly categorized as servers or workstations. Servers are generally not used by humans directly, but rather run continuously to provide "services" to the other computers (and their human users) on the network. Services provided can include printing and faxing, software hosting, file storage and sharing, messaging, data storage and retrieval, complete access control (security) for the network's resources, and many others.

Workstations are called such because they typically do have a human user which interacts with the network through them. Workstations were traditionally considered a desktop, consisting of a computer, keyboard, display, and mouse, or a laptop, with with integrated keyboard, display, and touchpad. With the advent of the tablet computer, and the touch screen devices such as iPad and iPhone, our definition of workstation is quickly evolving to include those devices, because of their ability to interact with the network and utilize network services.

Servers tend to be more powerful than workstations, although configurations are guided by needs. For example, a group of servers might be located in a secure area, away from humans, and only accessed through the network. In such cases, it would be common for the servers to operate without a dedicated display or keyboard. However, the size and speed of the server's processor(s), hard drive, and main memory might add dramatically to the cost of the system. On the other hand, a workstation might not need as much storage or working memory, but might require an expensive display to accommodate the needs of its user. Every computer on a network should be appropriately configured for its use.

On a single LAN, computers and servers may be connected by cables or wirelessly. Wireless access to a wired network is made possible by wireless access points (WAPs). These WAP devices provide a bridge between computers and networks. A typical WAP might have the theoretical capacity to connect hundreds or even thousands of wireless users to a network, although practical capacity might be far less.

Nearly always servers will be connected by cables to the network, because the cable connections remain the fastest. Workstations which are stationary (desktops) are also usually connected by a cable to the network, although the cost of wireless adapters has dropped to the point that, when installing workstations in an existing facility with inadequate wiring, it can be easier and less expensive to use wireless for a desktop.

See the Topology, Cabling, and Hardware sections of this tutorial for more information on the configuration of a LAN.

Wide Area Network
Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect networks in larger geographic areas, such as Florida, the United States, or the world. Dedicated transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks may be used to connect this type of global network.

Using a WAN, schools in Florida can communicate with places like Tokyo in a matter of seconds, without paying enormous phone bills. Two users a half-world apart with workstations equipped with microphones and a webcams might teleconference in real time. A WAN is complicated. It uses multiplexers, bridges, and routers to connect local and metropolitan networks to global communications networks like the Internet. To users, however, a WAN will not appear to be much different than a LAN.

Advantages of Installing a School Network
User access control.
Modern networks almost always have one or more servers which allows centralized management for users and for network resources to which they have access. User credentials on a privately-owned and operated network may be as simple as a user name and password, but with ever-increasing attention to computing security issues, these servers are critical to ensuring that sensitive information is only available to authorized users.
Information storing and sharing.
Computers allow users to create and manipulate information. Information takes on a life of its own on a network. The network provides both a place to store the information and mechanisms to share that information with other network users.
Connections.
Administrators, instructors, and even students and guests can be connected using the campus network.
Services.
The school can provide services, such as registration, school directories, course schedules, access to research, and email accounts, and many others. (Remember, network services are generally provided by servers).
Internet.
The school can provide network users with access to the internet, via an internet gateway.
Computing resources.
The school can provide access to special purpose computing devices which individual users would not normally own. For example, a school network might have high-speed high quality printers strategically located around a campus for instructor or student use.
Flexible Access.
School networks allow students to access their information from connected devices throughout the school. Students can begin an assignment in their classroom, save part of it on a public access area of the network, then go to the media center after school to finish their work. Students can also work cooperatively through the network.
Workgroup Computing.
Collaborative software allows many users to work on a document or project concurrently. For example, educators located at various schools within a county could simultaneously contribute their ideas about new curriculum standards to the same document, spreadsheets, or website.
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.subject
What is a Network?
A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

Two very common types of networks include:

Local Area Network (LAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
You may also see references to a Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), or a Wireless WAN (WWAN).

Local Area Network
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or building.

Computers connected to a network are broadly categorized as servers or workstations. Servers are generally not used by humans directly, but rather run continuously to provide "services" to the other computers (and their human users) on the network. Services provided can include printing and faxing, software hosting, file storage and sharing, messaging, data storage and retrieval, complete access control (security) for the network's resources, and many others.

Workstations are called such because they typically do have a human user which interacts with the network through them. Workstations were traditionally considered a desktop, consisting of a computer, keyboard, display, and mouse, or a laptop, with with integrated keyboard, display, and touchpad. With the advent of the tablet computer, and the touch screen devices such as iPad and iPhone, our definition of workstation is quickly evolving to include those devices, because of their ability to interact with the network and utilize network services.

Servers tend to be more powerful than workstations, although configurations are guided by needs. For example, a group of servers might be located in a secure area, away from humans, and only accessed through the network. In such cases, it would be common for the servers to operate without a dedicated display or keyboard. However, the size and speed of the server's processor(s), hard drive, and main memory might add dramatically to the cost of the system. On the other hand, a workstation might not need as much storage or working memory, but might require an expensive display to accommodate the needs of its user. Every computer on a network should be appropriately configured for its use.

On a single LAN, computers and servers may be connected by cables or wirelessly. Wireless access to a wired network is made possible by wireless access points (WAPs). These WAP devices provide a bridge between computers and networks. A typical WAP might have the theoretical capacity to connect hundreds or even thousands of wireless users to a network, although practical capacity might be far less.

Nearly always servers will be connected by cables to the network, because the cable connections remain the fastest. Workstations which are stationary (desktops) are also usually connected by a cable to the network, although the cost of wireless adapters has dropped to the point that, when installing workstations in an existing facility with inadequate wiring, it can be easier and less expensive to use wireless for a desktop.

See the Topology, Cabling, and Hardware sections of this tutorial for more information on the configuration of a LAN.

Wide Area Network
Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect networks in larger geographic areas, such as Florida, the United States, or the world. Dedicated transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks may be used to connect this type of global network.

Using a WAN, schools in Florida can communicate with places like Tokyo in a matter of seconds, without paying enormous phone bills. Two users a half-world apart with workstations equipped with microphones and a webcams might teleconference in real time. A WAN is complicated. It uses multiplexers, bridges, and routers to connect local and metropolitan networks to global communications networks like the Internet. To users, however, a WAN will not appear to be much different than a LAN.

Advantages of Installing a School Network
User access control.
Modern networks almost always have one or more servers which allows centralized management for users and for network resources to which they have access. User credentials on a privately-owned and operated network may be as simple as a user name and password, but with ever-increasing attention to computing security issues, these servers are critical to ensuring that sensitive information is only available to authorized users.
Information storing and sharing.
Computers allow users to create and manipulate information. Information takes on a life of its own on a network. The network provides both a place to store the information and mechanisms to share that information with other network users.
Connections.
Administrators, instructors, and even students and guests can be connected using the campus network.
Services.
The school can provide services, such as registration, school directories, course schedules, access to research, and email accounts, and many others. (Remember, network services are generally provided by servers).
Internet.
The school can provide network users with access to the internet, via an internet gateway.
Computing resources.
The school can provide access to special purpose computing devices which individual users would not normally own. For example, a school network might have high-speed high quality printers strategically located around a campus for instructor or student use.
Flexible Access.
School networks allow students to access their information from connected devices throughout the school. Students can begin an assignment in their classroom, save part of it on a public access area of the network, then go to the media center after school to finish their work. Students can also work cooperatively through the network.
Workgroup Computing.
Collaborative software allows many users to work on a document or project concurrently. For example, educators located at various schools within a county could simultaneously contribute their ideas about new curriculum standards to the same document, spreadsheets, or website.
Disadvantages of Installing a School Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards, routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services (provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is appropriate for the network community it serves.

# data[].attributes.body
network

/ˈnɛtwəːk/

noun

noun: network; plural noun: networks

1. 1.

2. an arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines.

1. "a spider constructs a complex network of several different kinds of threads"

2. synonyms: | web, criss-cross, grid, lattice, net, matrix, mesh, webbing, tracery, trellis; More

3. 2.

4. a group or system of interconnected people or things.

1. "the company has a network of 326 branches"

2. synonyms: | system, complex, interconnected system/structure, complex system/arrangement, nexus, web; More

a complex system of railways, roads, or other routes.

"the railway network"

synonyms: | maze, labyrinth, warren, jungle, tangle"a network of narrow, winding lanes"

a group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes.

"a support network"

a group of broadcasting stations that connect for the simultaneous broadcast of a programme.

"network television"

a number of interconnected computers, machines, or operations.

"a computer network"

a system of connected electrical conductors.

verb

verb: network; 3rd person present: networks; past tense: networked; past participle: networked; gerund or present participle: networking

1. 1.

2. connect as or operate with a network.

1. "compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"

BRITISH

broadcast (a programme) on a network.

"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"

link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.

"more and more PCs are networked together"

2. 2.

3. interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

1. "it's so important to network when starting a new business"

Translate network toChoose languageAfrikaansAlbanianAmharicArabicArmenianAzerbaijaniBanglaBasqueBelarusianBosnianBulgarianBurmeseCatalanCebuanoChinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)CorsicanCroatianCzechDanishDutchEsperantoEstonianFilipinoFinnishFrenchGalicianGeorgianGermanGreekGujaratiHaitian CreoleHausaHawaiianHebrewHindiHmongHungarianIcelandicIgboIndonesianIrishItalianJapaneseJavaneseKannadaKazakhKhmerKoreanKurdishKyrgyzLaoLatinLatvianLithuanianLuxembourgishMacedonianMalagasyMalayMalayalamMalteseMaoriMarathiMongolianNepaliNorwegianNyanjaPashtoPersianPolishPortuguesePunjabiRomanianRussianSamoanScottish GaelicSerbianShonaSindhiSinhalaSlovakSlovenianSomaliSouthern SothoSpanishSundaneseSwahiliSwedishTajikTamilTeluguThaiTurkishUkrainianUrduUzbekVietnameseWelshWestern FrisianXhosaYiddishYorubaZulu

Use over time for: network

# data[].attributes.headline
networking
/ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit
noun
noun: networking
1.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"
2.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
"the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly"
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.
"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.
"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"it's so important to network when starting a new business"

# data[].attributes.subject
networking
/ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit
noun
noun: networking
1.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"
2.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
"the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly"
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.
"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.
"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"it's so important to network when starting a new business"

# data[].attributes.headline
A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. ... Two very common types of networks include: Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN)

# data[].attributes.subject
A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. ... Two very common types of networks include: Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN)

# data[].attributes.headline
What is Networking?
Networking is a process that fosters the exchange of information and ideas among individuals or groups that share a common interest. It may be for social or business purposes. Professionals connect their business network through a series of symbolic ties and contacts. Business connections may form due to an individual's education, employer, industry or colleagues. For instance, a business network of Harvard Business School alumni may develop. Networking may also refer to the setting up and operation of a physical computer network. 


Breaking Down Networking
Networking helps to develop professional relationships that may boost an individual’s future business and employment prospects. Networking events, such as industry conferences and seminars, are a common practice within professional organizations, which may also link up with other groups to stage a joint event or conference.

Business Networking
Strategies for expanding a business network include developing relationships with people and companies as well as exchanging contact information. Connections within a network usually maintain regular contact with each other to build rapport and gain trust. Instead of having many contacts, a small selective network may provide more benefit, even though it often takes longer to establish. Successful networking involves regularly engaging and following up with contacts in the network to provide and receive valuable information that is not readily available outside the network. For example, a business network consisting of accounting professionals may provide information to their connections about an upcoming employment opportunity.

Online Networking
Business networking has increased in popularity due to social networking websites. Networking platforms such as LinkedIn provide an online meeting place for business professionals to engage with other professionals, join groups, post blogs, share content and create online profiles with the objective of connecting with other people that have similar interests. LinkedIn allows users to search for companies, people and jobs. LinkedIn members can reach out to potential employees and connect them with human resources managers or recruiters. Likewise, a business-to-business customer pipeline could develop through the use of a social networking site. Online networking through forums allows professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and connect with like-minded people.

Computer Networking
Computer networking involves connecting computers in the same building or office so users can readily communicate with other computers or devices. Switches connect multiple devices in one building on the same network. Computers, for instance, can connect to printers, fax machines, scanners and servers through a switch. Routers tie multiple networks together, such as when a computer connects to an internet router to access the web. Routers control the information to and from computer networks through security software and programs.

# data[].attributes.subject
What is Networking?
Networking is a process that fosters the exchange of information and ideas among individuals or groups that share a common interest. It may be for social or business purposes. Professionals connect their business network through a series of symbolic ties and contacts. Business connections may form due to an individual's education, employer, industry or colleagues. For instance, a business network of Harvard Business School alumni may develop. Networking may also refer to the setting up and operation of a physical computer network. 


Breaking Down Networking
Networking helps to develop professional relationships that may boost an individual’s future business and employment prospects. Networking events, such as industry conferences and seminars, are a common practice within professional organizations, which may also link up with other groups to stage a joint event or conference.

Business Networking
Strategies for expanding a business network include developing relationships with people and companies as well as exchanging contact information. Connections within a network usually maintain regular contact with each other to build rapport and gain trust. Instead of having many contacts, a small selective network may provide more benefit, even though it often takes longer to establish. Successful networking involves regularly engaging and following up with contacts in the network to provide and receive valuable information that is not readily available outside the network. For example, a business network consisting of accounting professionals may provide information to their connections about an upcoming employment opportunity.

Online Networking
Business networking has increased in popularity due to social networking websites. Networking platforms such as LinkedIn provide an online meeting place for business professionals to engage with other professionals, join groups, post blogs, share content and create online profiles with the objective of connecting with other people that have similar interests. LinkedIn allows users to search for companies, people and jobs. LinkedIn members can reach out to potential employees and connect them with human resources managers or recruiters. Likewise, a business-to-business customer pipeline could develop through the use of a social networking site. Online networking through forums allows professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and connect with like-minded people.

Computer Networking
Computer networking involves connecting computers in the same building or office so users can readily communicate with other computers or devices. Switches connect multiple devices in one building on the same network. Computers, for instance, can connect to printers, fax machines, scanners and servers through a switch. Routers tie multiple networks together, such as when a computer connects to an internet router to access the web. Routers control the information to and from computer networks through security software and programs.

# data[].attributes.headline
networking
/ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit
noun
noun: networking
1.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"
2.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
"the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly"
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.
"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.
"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"it's so important to network when starting a new business"

# data[].attributes.subject
networking
/ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit
noun
noun: networking
1.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"
2.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
"the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly"
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.
"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.
"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"it's so important to network when starting a new business"

# data[].attributes.headline
Networking
Networking is a socioeconomic business activity by which business people and entrepreneurs meet to form business relationships and to recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities, share information and seek potential partners for ventures.

# data[].attributes.subject
Networking
Networking is a socioeconomic business activity by which business people and entrepreneurs meet to form business relationships and to recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities, share information and seek potential partners for ventures.

# data[].attributes.headline
Examples of network devices
Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls.
Bridges.
Repeaters.
Network Interface cards.
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.

# data[].attributes.subject
Examples of network devices
Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls.
Bridges.
Repeaters.
Network Interface cards.
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.

# data[].attributes.headline
A Brief History of the Internet
In the Beginning: ARPANET
The story of the Internet, and networking in general, can be traced back to the late 1950s. The US was in the depths of the Cold War with the USSR, and each nation closely watched the other to determine which would gain a military or intelligence advantage. In 1957, the Soviets surprised the US with the launch of Sputnik, propelling us into the space age. In response to Sputnik, the US Government created the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), whose initial role was to ensure that the US was not surprised again. It was from ARPA, now called DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), that the Internet first sprang.

ARPA was the center of computing research in the 1960s, but there was just one problem: many of the computers could not talk to each other. In 1968, ARPA sent out a request for proposals for a communication technology that would allow different computers located around the country to be integrated together into one network. Twelve companies responded to the request, and a company named Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN) won the contract. They began work right away and were able to complete the job just one year later: in September, 1969, the ARPANET was turned on. The first four nodes were at UCLA, Stanford, MIT, and the University of Utah.

The Internet and the World Wide Web
Over the next decade, the ARPANET grew and gained popularity. During this time, other networks also came into existence. Different organizations were connected to different networks. This led to a problem: the networks could not talk to each other. Each network used its own proprietary language, or protocol (see sidebar for the definition of protocol), to send information back and forth. This problem was solved by the invention of transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP). TCP/IP was designed to allow networks running on different protocols to have an intermediary protocol that would allow them to communicate. So as long as your network supported TCP/IP, you could communicate with all of the other networks running TCP/IP. TCP/IP quickly became the standard protocol and allowed networks to communicate with each other. It is from this breakthrough that we first got the term Internet, which simply means “an interconnected network of networks.”

Sidebar: An Internet Vocabulary Lesson
Networking communication is full of some very technical concepts based on some simple principles. Learn the terms below and you’ll be able to hold your own in a conversation about the Internet.

Packet: The fundamental unit of data transmitted over the Internet. When a device intends to send a message to another device (for example, your PC sends a request to YouTube to open a video), it breaks the message down into smaller pieces, called packets. Each packet has the sender’s address, the destination address, a sequence number, and a piece of the overall message to be sent.
Hub: A simple network device that connects other devices to the network and sends packets to all the devices connected to it.
Bridge: A network device that connects two networks together and only allows packets through that are needed.
Switch: A network device that connects multiple devices together and filters packets based on their destination within the connected devices. 
Router: A device that receives and analyzes packets and then routes them towards their destination. In some cases, a router will send a packet to another router; in other cases, it will send it directly to its destination.
IP Address: Every device that communicates on the Internet, whether it be a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or anything else, is assigned a unique identifying number called an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Historically, the IP-address standard used has been IPv4 (version 4), which has the format of four numbers between 0 and 255 separated by a period. For example, the domain Saylor.org has the IP address of 107.23.196.166. The IPv4 standard has a limit of 4,294,967,296 possible addresses. As the use of the Internet has proliferated, the number of IP addresses needed has grown to the point where the use of IPv4 addresses will be exhausted. This has led to the new IPv6 standard, which is currently being phased in. The IPv6 standard is formatted as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, such as 2001:0db8:85a3:0042:1000:8a2e:0370:7334. The IPv6 standard has a limit of 3.4×1038 possible addresses. For more detail about the new IPv6 standard, see this Wikipedia article.
Domain name: If you had to try to remember the IP address of every web server you wanted to access, the Internet would not be nearly as easy to use. A domain name is a human-friendly name for a device on the Internet. These names generally consist of a descriptive text followed by the top-level domain (TLD). For example, Wikepedia’s domain name is wikipedia.org; wikipedia describes the organization and .org is the top-level domain. In this case, the .org TLD is designed for nonprofit organizations. Other well-known TLDs include .com, .net, and .gov. For a complete list and description of domain names, see this Wikipedia article.
DNS: DNS stands for “domain name system,” which acts as the directory on the Internet. When a request to access a device with a domain name is given, a DNS server is queried. It returns the IP address of the device requested, allowing for proper routing.
Packet-switching: When a packet is sent from one device out over the Internet, it does not follow a straight path to its destination. Instead, it is passed from one router to another across the Internet until it is reaches its destination. In fact, sometimes two packets from the same message will take different routes! Sometimes, packets will arrive at their destination out of order. When this happens, the receiving device restores them to their proper order. For more details on packet-switching, see this interactive web page.
Protocol: In computer networking, a protocol is the set of rules that allow two (or more) devices to exchange information back and forth across the network.
 

Worldwide Internet Use over 24 hour period (click to go to site of origin). Image courtesy of the Internet Census 2012 project. Public domain.
Worldwide Internet use over 24-hour period (click to go to site of origin). (Public Domain. Courtesy of the Internet Census 2012 project.)
As we moved into the 1980s, computers were added to the Internet at an increasing rate. These computers were primarily from government, academic, and research organizations. Much to the surprise of the engineers, the early popularity of the Internet was driven by the use of electronic mail (see sidebar below).

Using the Internet in these early days was not easy. In order to access information on another server, you had to know how to type in the commands necessary to access it, as well as know the name of that device. That all changed in 1990, when Tim Berners-Lee introduced his World Wide Web project, which provided an easy way to navigate the Internet through the use of linked text (hypertext). The World Wide Web gained even more steam with the release of the Mosaic browser in 1993, which allowed graphics and text to be combined together as a way to present information and navigate the Internet. The Mosaic browser took off in popularity and was soon superseded by Netscape Navigator, the first commercial web browser, in 1994. The Internet and the World Wide Web were now poised for growth. The chart below shows the growth in users from the early days until now.

InternetGrowth
Growth of internet usage, 1995–2012 (click to enlarge). Data taken from InternetWorldStats.com.
The Dot-Com Bubble
In the 1980s and early 1990s, the Internet was being managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF had restricted commercial ventures on the Internet, which meant that no one could buy or sell anything online. In 1991, the NSF transferred its role to three other organizations, thus getting the US government out of direct control over the Internet and essentially opening up commerce online.

This new commercialization of the Internet led to what is now known as the dot-com bubble. A frenzy of investment in new dot-com companies took place in the late 1990s, running up the stock market to new highs on a daily basis. This investment bubble was driven by the fact that investors knew that online commerce would change everything. Unfortunately, many of these new companies had poor business models and ended up with little to show for all of the funds that were invested in them. In 2000 and 2001, the bubble burst and many of these new companies went out of business. Many companies also survived, including the still-thriving Amazon (started in 1994) and eBay (1995). After the dot-com bubble burst, a new reality became clear: in order to succeed online, e-business companies would need to develop real business models and show that they could survive financially using this new technology.

Web 2.0
In the first few years of the World Wide Web, creating and putting up a website required a specific set of knowledge: you had to know how to set up a server on the World Wide Web, how to get a domain name, how to write web pages in HTML, and how to troubleshoot various technical issues as they came up. Someone who did these jobs for a website became known as a webmaster.

As the web gained in popularity, it became more and more apparent that those who did not have the skills to be a webmaster still wanted to create online content and have their own piece of the web. This need was met with new technologies that provided a website framework for those who wanted to put content online. Blogger and Wikipedia are examples of these early Web 2.0 applications, which allowed anyone with something to say a place to go and say it, without the need for understanding HTML or web-server technology.

Starting in the early 2000s, Web 2.0 applications began a second bubble of optimism and investment. It seemed that everyone wanted their own blog or photo-sharing site. Here are some of the companies that came of age during this time: MySpace (2003), Photobucket (2003), Flickr (2004), Facebook (2004), WordPress (2005), Tumblr (2006), and Twitter (2006). The ultimate indication that Web 2.0 had taken hold was when Time magazine named “You” its “Person of the Year” in 2006.

Sidebar: E-mail Is the “Killer” App for the Internet
When the personal computer was created, it was a great little toy for technology hobbyists and armchair programmers. As soon as the spreadsheet was invented, however, businesses took notice, and the rest is history. The spreadsheet was the killer app for the personal computer: people bought PCs just so they could run spreadsheets.

The Internet was originally designed as a way for scientists and researchers to share information and computing power among themselves. However, as soon as electronic mail was invented, it began driving demand for the Internet. This wasn’t what the developers had in mind, but it turned out that people connecting to people was the killer app for the Internet.

We are seeing this again today with social networks, specifically Facebook. Many who weren’t convinced to have an online presence now feel left out without a Facebook account. The connections made between people using Web 2.0 applications like Facebook on their personal computer or smartphone is driving growth yet again.

Sidebar: The Internet and the World Wide Web Are Not the Same Thing
Many times, the terms “Internet” and “World Wide Web,” or even just “the web,” are used interchangeably. But really, they are not the same thing at all! The Internet is an interconnected network of networks. Many services run across the Internet: electronic mail, voice and video, file transfers, and, yes, the World Wide Web.

The World Wide Web is simply one piece of the Internet. It is made up of web servers that have HTML pages that are being viewed on devices with web browsers. It is really that simple.

The Growth of Broadband
In the early days of the Internet, most access was done via a modem over an analog telephone line. A modem (short for “modulator-demodulator”) was connected to the incoming phone line and a computer in order to connect you to a network. Speeds were measured in bits-per-second (bps), with speeds growing from 1200 bps to 56,000 bps over the years. Connection to the Internet via these modems is called dial-up access. Dial-up was very inconvenient because it tied up the phone line. As the web became more and more interactive, dial-up also hindered usage, as users wanted to transfer more and more data. As a point of reference, downloading a typical 3.5 mb song would take 24 minutes at 1200 bps and 2 minutes at 28,800 bps.

A broadband connection is defined as one that has speeds of at least 256,000 bps, though most connections today are much faster, measured in millions of bits per second (megabits or mbps) or even billions (gigabits). For the home user, a broadband connection is usually accomplished via the cable television lines or phone lines (DSL). Both cable and DSL have similar prices and speeds, though each individual may find that one is better than the other for their specific area. Speeds for cable and DSL can vary during different times of the day or week, depending upon how much data traffic is being used. In more remote areas, where cable and phone companies do not provide access, home Internet connections can be made via satellite. The average home broadband speed is anywhere between 3 mbps and 30 mbps. At 10 mbps, downloading a typical 3.5 mb song would take less than a second. For businesses who require more bandwidth and reliability, telecommunications companies can provide other options, such as T1 and T3 lines.

Growth of Broadband Use (Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project Surveys)
Growth of broadband use (Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project Surveys)
Broadband access is important because it impacts how the Internet is used. When a community has access to broadband, it allows them to interact more online and increases the usage of digital tools overall. Access to broadband is now considered a basic human right by the United Nations, as declared in their 2011 statement: 

“Broadband technologies are fundamentally transforming the way we live,” the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, set up last year by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN International Telecommunications Union (ITU), said in issuing “The Broadband Challenge” at a leadership summit in Geneva.

“It is vital that no one be excluded from the new global knowledge societies we are building. We believe that communication is not just a human need – it is a right.”[1]

Wireless Networking
Today we are used to being able to access the Internet wherever we go. Our smartphones can access the Internet; Starbucks provides wireless “hotspots” for our laptops or iPads. These wireless technologies have made Internet access more convenient and have made devices such as tablets and laptops much more functional. Let’s examine a few of these wireless technologies.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a technology that takes an Internet signal and converts it into radio waves. These radio waves can be picked up within a radius of approximately 65 feet by devices with a wireless adapter. Several Wi-Fi specifications have been developed over the years, starting with 802.11b (1999), followed by the 802.11g specification in 2003 and 802.11n in 2009. Each new specification improved the speed and range of Wi-Fi, allowing for more uses. One of the primary places where Wi-Fi is being used is in the home. Home users are purchasing Wi-Fi routers, connecting them to their broadband connections, and then connecting multiple devices via Wi-Fi.

Mobile Network
As the cellphone has evolved into the smartphone, the desire for Internet access on these devices has led to data networks being included as part of the mobile phone network. While Internet connections were technically available earlier, it was really with the release of the 3G networks in 2001 (2002 in the US) that smartphones and other cellular devices could access data from the Internet. This new capability drove the market for new and more powerful smartphones, such as the iPhone, introduced in 2007. In 2011, wireless carriers began offering 4G data speeds, giving the cellular networks the same speeds that customers were used to getting via their home connection.

 

Sidebar: Why Doesn’t My Cellphone Work When I Travel Abroad?
As mobile phone technologies have evolved, providers in different countries have chosen different communication standards for their mobile phone networks. In the US, both of the two competing standards exist: GSM (used by AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (used by the other major carriers). Each standard has its pros and cons, but the bottom line is that phones using one standard cannot easily switch to the other. In the US, this is not a big deal because mobile networks exist to support both standards. But when you travel to other countries, you will find that most of them use GSM networks, with the one big exception being Japan, which has standardized on CDMA. It is possible for a mobile phone using one type of network to switch to the other type of network by switching out the SIM card, which controls your access to the mobile network. However, this will not work in all cases. If you are traveling abroad, it is always best to consult with your mobile provider to determine the best way to access a mobile network.

Bluetooth
Bluetooth-logo
While Bluetooth is not generally used to connect a device to the Internet, it is an important wireless technology that has enabled many functionalities that are used every day. When created in 1994 by Ericsson, it was intended to replace wired connections between devices. Today, it is the standard method for connecting nearby devices wirelessly. Bluetooth has a range of approximately 300 feet and consumes very little power, making it an excellent choice for a variety of purposes. Some applications of Bluetooth include: connecting a printer to a personal computer, connecting a mobile phone and headset, connecting a wireless keyboard and mouse to a computer, and connecting a remote for a presentation made on a personal computer.

VoIP
A typical VoIP communication.  Image courtesy of BroadVoice.
A typical VoIP communication. Image courtesy of BroadVoice.
A growing class of data being transferred over the Internet is voice data. A protocol called voice over IP, or VoIP, enables sounds to be converted to a digital format for transmission over the Internet and then re-created at the other end. By using many existing technologies and software, voice communication over the Internet is now available to anyone with a browser (think Skype, Google Hangouts). Beyond this, many companies are now offering VoIP-based telephone service for business and home use.

 

Organizational Networking
LAN and WAN
Intranet Extranet Diagram
Scope of business networks
While the Internet was evolving and creating a way for organizations to connect to each other and the world, another revolution was taking place inside organizations. The proliferation of personal computers inside organizations led to the need to share resources such as printers, scanners, and data. Organizations solved this problem through the creation of local area networks (LANs), which allowed computers to connect to each other and to peripherals. These same networks also allowed personal computers to hook up to legacy mainframe computers.

An LAN is (by definition) a local network, usually operating in the same building or on the same campus. When an organization needed to provide a network over a wider area (with locations in different cities or states, for example), they would build a wide area network (WAN).

Client-Server
The personal computer originally was used as a stand-alone computing device. A program was installed on the computer and then used to do word processing or number crunching. However, with the advent of networking and local area networks, computers could work together to solve problems. Higher-end computers were installed as servers, and users on the local network could run applications and share information among departments and organizations. This is called client-server computing.

 

Intranet
Just as organizations set up web sites to provide global access to information about their business, they also set up internal web pages to provide information about the organization to the employees. This internal set of web pages is called an intranet. Web pages on the intranet are not accessible to those outside the company; in fact, those pages would come up as “not found” if an employee tried to access them from outside the company’s network.

Extranet
Sometimes an organization wants to be able to collaborate with its customers or suppliers while at the same time maintaining the security of being inside its own network. In cases like this a company may want to create an extranet, which is a part of the company’s network that can be made available securely to those outside of the company. Extranets can be used to allow customers to log in and check the status of their orders, or for suppliers to check their customers’ inventory levels.

Sometimes, an organization will need to allow someone who is not located physically within its internal network to gain access. This access can be provided by a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs will be discussed further in the chapter 6 (on information security).

Sidebar: Microsoft’s SharePoint Powers the Intranet
As organizations begin to see the power of collaboration between their employees, they often look for solutions that will allow them to leverage their intranet to enable more collaboration. Since most companies use Microsoft products for much of their computing, it is only natural that they have looked to Microsoft to provide a solution. This solution is Microsoft’s SharePoint.

SharePoint provides a communication and collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft’s Office suite of applications. Using SharePoint, employees can share a document and edit it together – no more e-mailing that Word document to everyone for review. Projects and documents can be managed collaboratively across the organization. Corporate documents are indexed and made available for search. No more asking around for that procedures document – now you just search for it in SharePoint. For organizations looking to add a social networking component to their intranet, Microsoft offers Yammer, which can be used by itself or integrated into SharePoint.

# data[].attributes.subject
A Brief History of the Internet
In the Beginning: ARPANET
The story of the Internet, and networking in general, can be traced back to the late 1950s. The US was in the depths of the Cold War with the USSR, and each nation closely watched the other to determine which would gain a military or intelligence advantage. In 1957, the Soviets surprised the US with the launch of Sputnik, propelling us into the space age. In response to Sputnik, the US Government created the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), whose initial role was to ensure that the US was not surprised again. It was from ARPA, now called DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), that the Internet first sprang.

ARPA was the center of computing research in the 1960s, but there was just one problem: many of the computers could not talk to each other. In 1968, ARPA sent out a request for proposals for a communication technology that would allow different computers located around the country to be integrated together into one network. Twelve companies responded to the request, and a company named Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN) won the contract. They began work right away and were able to complete the job just one year later: in September, 1969, the ARPANET was turned on. The first four nodes were at UCLA, Stanford, MIT, and the University of Utah.

The Internet and the World Wide Web
Over the next decade, the ARPANET grew and gained popularity. During this time, other networks also came into existence. Different organizations were connected to different networks. This led to a problem: the networks could not talk to each other. Each network used its own proprietary language, or protocol (see sidebar for the definition of protocol), to send information back and forth. This problem was solved by the invention of transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP). TCP/IP was designed to allow networks running on different protocols to have an intermediary protocol that would allow them to communicate. So as long as your network supported TCP/IP, you could communicate with all of the other networks running TCP/IP. TCP/IP quickly became the standard protocol and allowed networks to communicate with each other. It is from this breakthrough that we first got the term Internet, which simply means “an interconnected network of networks.”

Sidebar: An Internet Vocabulary Lesson
Networking communication is full of some very technical concepts based on some simple principles. Learn the terms below and you’ll be able to hold your own in a conversation about the Internet.

Packet: The fundamental unit of data transmitted over the Internet. When a device intends to send a message to another device (for example, your PC sends a request to YouTube to open a video), it breaks the message down into smaller pieces, called packets. Each packet has the sender’s address, the destination address, a sequence number, and a piece of the overall message to be sent.
Hub: A simple network device that connects other devices to the network and sends packets to all the devices connected to it.
Bridge: A network device that connects two networks together and only allows packets through that are needed.
Switch: A network device that connects multiple devices together and filters packets based on their destination within the connected devices. 
Router: A device that receives and analyzes packets and then routes them towards their destination. In some cases, a router will send a packet to another router; in other cases, it will send it directly to its destination.
IP Address: Every device that communicates on the Internet, whether it be a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or anything else, is assigned a unique identifying number called an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Historically, the IP-address standard used has been IPv4 (version 4), which has the format of four numbers between 0 and 255 separated by a period. For example, the domain Saylor.org has the IP address of 107.23.196.166. The IPv4 standard has a limit of 4,294,967,296 possible addresses. As the use of the Internet has proliferated, the number of IP addresses needed has grown to the point where the use of IPv4 addresses will be exhausted. This has led to the new IPv6 standard, which is currently being phased in. The IPv6 standard is formatted as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, such as 2001:0db8:85a3:0042:1000:8a2e:0370:7334. The IPv6 standard has a limit of 3.4×1038 possible addresses. For more detail about the new IPv6 standard, see this Wikipedia article.
Domain name: If you had to try to remember the IP address of every web server you wanted to access, the Internet would not be nearly as easy to use. A domain name is a human-friendly name for a device on the Internet. These names generally consist of a descriptive text followed by the top-level domain (TLD). For example, Wikepedia’s domain name is wikipedia.org; wikipedia describes the organization and .org is the top-level domain. In this case, the .org TLD is designed for nonprofit organizations. Other well-known TLDs include .com, .net, and .gov. For a complete list and description of domain names, see this Wikipedia article.
DNS: DNS stands for “domain name system,” which acts as the directory on the Internet. When a request to access a device with a domain name is given, a DNS server is queried. It returns the IP address of the device requested, allowing for proper routing.
Packet-switching: When a packet is sent from one device out over the Internet, it does not follow a straight path to its destination. Instead, it is passed from one router to another across the Internet until it is reaches its destination. In fact, sometimes two packets from the same message will take different routes! Sometimes, packets will arrive at their destination out of order. When this happens, the receiving device restores them to their proper order. For more details on packet-switching, see this interactive web page.
Protocol: In computer networking, a protocol is the set of rules that allow two (or more) devices to exchange information back and forth across the network.
 

Worldwide Internet Use over 24 hour period (click to go to site of origin). Image courtesy of the Internet Census 2012 project. Public domain.
Worldwide Internet use over 24-hour period (click to go to site of origin). (Public Domain. Courtesy of the Internet Census 2012 project.)
As we moved into the 1980s, computers were added to the Internet at an increasing rate. These computers were primarily from government, academic, and research organizations. Much to the surprise of the engineers, the early popularity of the Internet was driven by the use of electronic mail (see sidebar below).

Using the Internet in these early days was not easy. In order to access information on another server, you had to know how to type in the commands necessary to access it, as well as know the name of that device. That all changed in 1990, when Tim Berners-Lee introduced his World Wide Web project, which provided an easy way to navigate the Internet through the use of linked text (hypertext). The World Wide Web gained even more steam with the release of the Mosaic browser in 1993, which allowed graphics and text to be combined together as a way to present information and navigate the Internet. The Mosaic browser took off in popularity and was soon superseded by Netscape Navigator, the first commercial web browser, in 1994. The Internet and the World Wide Web were now poised for growth. The chart below shows the growth in users from the early days until now.

InternetGrowth
Growth of internet usage, 1995–2012 (click to enlarge). Data taken from InternetWorldStats.com.
The Dot-Com Bubble
In the 1980s and early 1990s, the Internet was being managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF had restricted commercial ventures on the Internet, which meant that no one could buy or sell anything online. In 1991, the NSF transferred its role to three other organizations, thus getting the US government out of direct control over the Internet and essentially opening up commerce online.

This new commercialization of the Internet led to what is now known as the dot-com bubble. A frenzy of investment in new dot-com companies took place in the late 1990s, running up the stock market to new highs on a daily basis. This investment bubble was driven by the fact that investors knew that online commerce would change everything. Unfortunately, many of these new companies had poor business models and ended up with little to show for all of the funds that were invested in them. In 2000 and 2001, the bubble burst and many of these new companies went out of business. Many companies also survived, including the still-thriving Amazon (started in 1994) and eBay (1995). After the dot-com bubble burst, a new reality became clear: in order to succeed online, e-business companies would need to develop real business models and show that they could survive financially using this new technology.

Web 2.0
In the first few years of the World Wide Web, creating and putting up a website required a specific set of knowledge: you had to know how to set up a server on the World Wide Web, how to get a domain name, how to write web pages in HTML, and how to troubleshoot various technical issues as they came up. Someone who did these jobs for a website became known as a webmaster.

As the web gained in popularity, it became more and more apparent that those who did not have the skills to be a webmaster still wanted to create online content and have their own piece of the web. This need was met with new technologies that provided a website framework for those who wanted to put content online. Blogger and Wikipedia are examples of these early Web 2.0 applications, which allowed anyone with something to say a place to go and say it, without the need for understanding HTML or web-server technology.

Starting in the early 2000s, Web 2.0 applications began a second bubble of optimism and investment. It seemed that everyone wanted their own blog or photo-sharing site. Here are some of the companies that came of age during this time: MySpace (2003), Photobucket (2003), Flickr (2004), Facebook (2004), WordPress (2005), Tumblr (2006), and Twitter (2006). The ultimate indication that Web 2.0 had taken hold was when Time magazine named “You” its “Person of the Year” in 2006.

Sidebar: E-mail Is the “Killer” App for the Internet
When the personal computer was created, it was a great little toy for technology hobbyists and armchair programmers. As soon as the spreadsheet was invented, however, businesses took notice, and the rest is history. The spreadsheet was the killer app for the personal computer: people bought PCs just so they could run spreadsheets.

The Internet was originally designed as a way for scientists and researchers to share information and computing power among themselves. However, as soon as electronic mail was invented, it began driving demand for the Internet. This wasn’t what the developers had in mind, but it turned out that people connecting to people was the killer app for the Internet.

We are seeing this again today with social networks, specifically Facebook. Many who weren’t convinced to have an online presence now feel left out without a Facebook account. The connections made between people using Web 2.0 applications like Facebook on their personal computer or smartphone is driving growth yet again.

Sidebar: The Internet and the World Wide Web Are Not the Same Thing
Many times, the terms “Internet” and “World Wide Web,” or even just “the web,” are used interchangeably. But really, they are not the same thing at all! The Internet is an interconnected network of networks. Many services run across the Internet: electronic mail, voice and video, file transfers, and, yes, the World Wide Web.

The World Wide Web is simply one piece of the Internet. It is made up of web servers that have HTML pages that are being viewed on devices with web browsers. It is really that simple.

The Growth of Broadband
In the early days of the Internet, most access was done via a modem over an analog telephone line. A modem (short for “modulator-demodulator”) was connected to the incoming phone line and a computer in order to connect you to a network. Speeds were measured in bits-per-second (bps), with speeds growing from 1200 bps to 56,000 bps over the years. Connection to the Internet via these modems is called dial-up access. Dial-up was very inconvenient because it tied up the phone line. As the web became more and more interactive, dial-up also hindered usage, as users wanted to transfer more and more data. As a point of reference, downloading a typical 3.5 mb song would take 24 minutes at 1200 bps and 2 minutes at 28,800 bps.

A broadband connection is defined as one that has speeds of at least 256,000 bps, though most connections today are much faster, measured in millions of bits per second (megabits or mbps) or even billions (gigabits). For the home user, a broadband connection is usually accomplished via the cable television lines or phone lines (DSL). Both cable and DSL have similar prices and speeds, though each individual may find that one is better than the other for their specific area. Speeds for cable and DSL can vary during different times of the day or week, depending upon how much data traffic is being used. In more remote areas, where cable and phone companies do not provide access, home Internet connections can be made via satellite. The average home broadband speed is anywhere between 3 mbps and 30 mbps. At 10 mbps, downloading a typical 3.5 mb song would take less than a second. For businesses who require more bandwidth and reliability, telecommunications companies can provide other options, such as T1 and T3 lines.

Growth of Broadband Use (Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project Surveys)
Growth of broadband use (Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project Surveys)
Broadband access is important because it impacts how the Internet is used. When a community has access to broadband, it allows them to interact more online and increases the usage of digital tools overall. Access to broadband is now considered a basic human right by the United Nations, as declared in their 2011 statement: 

“Broadband technologies are fundamentally transforming the way we live,” the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, set up last year by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN International Telecommunications Union (ITU), said in issuing “The Broadband Challenge” at a leadership summit in Geneva.

“It is vital that no one be excluded from the new global knowledge societies we are building. We believe that communication is not just a human need – it is a right.”[1]

Wireless Networking
Today we are used to being able to access the Internet wherever we go. Our smartphones can access the Internet; Starbucks provides wireless “hotspots” for our laptops or iPads. These wireless technologies have made Internet access more convenient and have made devices such as tablets and laptops much more functional. Let’s examine a few of these wireless technologies.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a technology that takes an Internet signal and converts it into radio waves. These radio waves can be picked up within a radius of approximately 65 feet by devices with a wireless adapter. Several Wi-Fi specifications have been developed over the years, starting with 802.11b (1999), followed by the 802.11g specification in 2003 and 802.11n in 2009. Each new specification improved the speed and range of Wi-Fi, allowing for more uses. One of the primary places where Wi-Fi is being used is in the home. Home users are purchasing Wi-Fi routers, connecting them to their broadband connections, and then connecting multiple devices via Wi-Fi.

Mobile Network
As the cellphone has evolved into the smartphone, the desire for Internet access on these devices has led to data networks being included as part of the mobile phone network. While Internet connections were technically available earlier, it was really with the release of the 3G networks in 2001 (2002 in the US) that smartphones and other cellular devices could access data from the Internet. This new capability drove the market for new and more powerful smartphones, such as the iPhone, introduced in 2007. In 2011, wireless carriers began offering 4G data speeds, giving the cellular networks the same speeds that customers were used to getting via their home connection.

 

Sidebar: Why Doesn’t My Cellphone Work When I Travel Abroad?
As mobile phone technologies have evolved, providers in different countries have chosen different communication standards for their mobile phone networks. In the US, both of the two competing standards exist: GSM (used by AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (used by the other major carriers). Each standard has its pros and cons, but the bottom line is that phones using one standard cannot easily switch to the other. In the US, this is not a big deal because mobile networks exist to support both standards. But when you travel to other countries, you will find that most of them use GSM networks, with the one big exception being Japan, which has standardized on CDMA. It is possible for a mobile phone using one type of network to switch to the other type of network by switching out the SIM card, which controls your access to the mobile network. However, this will not work in all cases. If you are traveling abroad, it is always best to consult with your mobile provider to determine the best way to access a mobile network.

Bluetooth
Bluetooth-logo
While Bluetooth is not generally used to connect a device to the Internet, it is an important wireless technology that has enabled many functionalities that are used every day. When created in 1994 by Ericsson, it was intended to replace wired connections between devices. Today, it is the standard method for connecting nearby devices wirelessly. Bluetooth has a range of approximately 300 feet and consumes very little power, making it an excellent choice for a variety of purposes. Some applications of Bluetooth include: connecting a printer to a personal computer, connecting a mobile phone and headset, connecting a wireless keyboard and mouse to a computer, and connecting a remote for a presentation made on a personal computer.

VoIP
A typical VoIP communication.  Image courtesy of BroadVoice.
A typical VoIP communication. Image courtesy of BroadVoice.
A growing class of data being transferred over the Internet is voice data. A protocol called voice over IP, or VoIP, enables sounds to be converted to a digital format for transmission over the Internet and then re-created at the other end. By using many existing technologies and software, voice communication over the Internet is now available to anyone with a browser (think Skype, Google Hangouts). Beyond this, many companies are now offering VoIP-based telephone service for business and home use.

 

Organizational Networking
LAN and WAN
Intranet Extranet Diagram
Scope of business networks
While the Internet was evolving and creating a way for organizations to connect to each other and the world, another revolution was taking place inside organizations. The proliferation of personal computers inside organizations led to the need to share resources such as printers, scanners, and data. Organizations solved this problem through the creation of local area networks (LANs), which allowed computers to connect to each other and to peripherals. These same networks also allowed personal computers to hook up to legacy mainframe computers.

An LAN is (by definition) a local network, usually operating in the same building or on the same campus. When an organization needed to provide a network over a wider area (with locations in different cities or states, for example), they would build a wide area network (WAN).

Client-Server
The personal computer originally was used as a stand-alone computing device. A program was installed on the computer and then used to do word processing or number crunching. However, with the advent of networking and local area networks, computers could work together to solve problems. Higher-end computers were installed as servers, and users on the local network could run applications and share information among departments and organizations. This is called client-server computing.

 

Intranet
Just as organizations set up web sites to provide global access to information about their business, they also set up internal web pages to provide information about the organization to the employees. This internal set of web pages is called an intranet. Web pages on the intranet are not accessible to those outside the company; in fact, those pages would come up as “not found” if an employee tried to access them from outside the company’s network.

Extranet
Sometimes an organization wants to be able to collaborate with its customers or suppliers while at the same time maintaining the security of being inside its own network. In cases like this a company may want to create an extranet, which is a part of the company’s network that can be made available securely to those outside of the company. Extranets can be used to allow customers to log in and check the status of their orders, or for suppliers to check their customers’ inventory levels.

Sometimes, an organization will need to allow someone who is not located physically within its internal network to gain access. This access can be provided by a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs will be discussed further in the chapter 6 (on information security).

Sidebar: Microsoft’s SharePoint Powers the Intranet
As organizations begin to see the power of collaboration between their employees, they often look for solutions that will allow them to leverage their intranet to enable more collaboration. Since most companies use Microsoft products for much of their computing, it is only natural that they have looked to Microsoft to provide a solution. This solution is Microsoft’s SharePoint.

SharePoint provides a communication and collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft’s Office suite of applications. Using SharePoint, employees can share a document and edit it together – no more e-mailing that Word document to everyone for review. Projects and documents can be managed collaboratively across the organization. Corporate documents are indexed and made available for search. No more asking around for that procedures document – now you just search for it in SharePoint. For organizations looking to add a social networking component to their intranet, Microsoft offers Yammer, which can be used by itself or integrated into SharePoint.

# data[].attributes.headline
This is the oxford Dictionary Definition
network
NOUN
1An arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines.

‘a spider constructs a complex network of several different kinds of threads’
More example sentencesSynonyms
2A group or system of interconnected people or things.

‘the company has a network of 326 branches’
‘a trade network’
More example sentencesSynonyms
2.1 A complex system of railways, roads, or other routes.
‘the railway network’
More example sentencesSynonyms
2.2 A group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes.
‘a support network’
More example sentences
2.3 A group of broadcasting stations that connect for the simultaneous broadcast of a programme.
as modifier ‘network television’
More example sentences
2.4 A number of interconnected computers, machines, or operations.
‘a computer network’
More example sentences
2.5 A system of connected electrical conductors.
Example sentences

VERB
1with object Connect as or operate with a network.

‘compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked’
More example sentences
1.1British Broadcast (a programme) on a network.
‘the Spurs match which ITV had networked’
More example sentences
1.2 Link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
‘more and more PCs are networked together’
‘networked workstations’
More example sentences
2often as noun networkingno object Interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

‘the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation’
More example sentences
Pronunciation
network/ˈnɛtwəːk/

# data[].attributes.subject
This is the oxford Dictionary Definition
network
NOUN
1An arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines.

‘a spider constructs a complex network of several different kinds of threads’
More example sentencesSynonyms
2A group or system of interconnected people or things.

‘the company has a network of 326 branches’
‘a trade network’
More example sentencesSynonyms
2.1 A complex system of railways, roads, or other routes.
‘the railway network’
More example sentencesSynonyms
2.2 A group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes.
‘a support network’
More example sentences
2.3 A group of broadcasting stations that connect for the simultaneous broadcast of a programme.
as modifier ‘network television’
More example sentences
2.4 A number of interconnected computers, machines, or operations.
‘a computer network’
More example sentences
2.5 A system of connected electrical conductors.
Example sentences

VERB
1with object Connect as or operate with a network.

‘compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked’
More example sentences
1.1British Broadcast (a programme) on a network.
‘the Spurs match which ITV had networked’
More example sentences
1.2 Link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
‘more and more PCs are networked together’
‘networked workstations’
More example sentences
2often as noun networkingno object Interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

‘the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation’
More example sentences
Pronunciation
network/ˈnɛtwəːk/

# data[].attributes.headline
topology
/təˈpɒlədʒi/Submit
noun
noun: topology
1.
MATHEMATICS
the study of geometrical properties and spatial relations unaffected by the continuous change of shape or size of figures.
a family of open subsets of an abstract space such that the union and the intersection of any two of them are members of the family, and which includes the space itself and the empty set.
plural noun: topologies
2.
the way in which constituent parts are interrelated or arranged.
"the topology of a computer network"

# data[].attributes.subject
topology
/təˈpɒlədʒi/Submit
noun
noun: topology
1.
MATHEMATICS
the study of geometrical properties and spatial relations unaffected by the continuous change of shape or size of figures.
a family of open subsets of an abstract space such that the union and the intersection of any two of them are members of the family, and which includes the space itself and the empty set.
plural noun: topologies
2.
the way in which constituent parts are interrelated or arranged.
"the topology of a computer network"

# data[].attributes.headline
Networks are like our school network, where multiple devices cam be connected by one main router or network provider.

# data[].attributes.subject
Networks are like our school network, where multiple devices cam be connected by one main router or network provider.

# data[].attributes.body
Some of the different networks based on size are:

Personal area network, or PAN.

Local area network, or LAN.

Metropolitan area network, or MAN.

Wide area network, or WAN.

# data[].attributes.headline
Examples of network devices
Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls.
Bridges.
Repeaters.
Network Interface cards.
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.

# data[].attributes.subject
Examples of network devices
Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls.
Bridges.
Repeaters.
Network Interface cards.
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.

# data[].attributes.headline
there are different types of networks, like train networks, bus networks, wifi networks, etc.

# data[].attributes.subject
there are different types of networks, like train networks, bus networks, wifi networks, etc.

# data[].attributes.headline
Networking is the connection to the internet.

# data[].attributes.subject
Networking is the connection to the internet.

# data[].attributes.body
A computer network is a digital telecommunications network which allows nodes to share resources.
It allows one or more computers are connected by one main server.

# data[].attributes.body
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

# data[].attributes.headline
Is this like how the  NSG Domain server works? (eg. OUR COMPUTER

# data[].attributes.subject
Is this like how the  NSG Domain server works? (eg. OUR COMPUTER

# data[].attributes.headline
Examples of networks:

Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls.
Bridges.
Repeaters.
Network Interface cards.
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.

# data[].attributes.subject
Examples of networks:

Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls.
Bridges.
Repeaters.
Network Interface cards.
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.

# data[].attributes.headline
networking
/ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit
noun
noun: networking
1.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"
2.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
"the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly"
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.
"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.
"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"it's so important to network when starting a new business"

# data[].attributes.subject
networking
/ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/Submit
noun
noun: networking
1.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation"
2.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
"the demand for wireless networking is increasing rapidly"
network
/ˈnɛtwəːk/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: networking
1.
connect as or operate with a network.
"compared with the railways the canals were less effectively networked"
BRITISH
broadcast (a programme) on a network.
"the Spurs match which ITV had networked"
link (computers or other machines) to operate interactively.
"more and more PCs are networked together"
2.
interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
"it's so important to network when starting a new business"

# data[].attributes.headline
Networking is where it allows nodes to share resourses

# data[].attributes.subject
Networking is where it allows nodes to share resourses

# data[].attributes.headline
Networking is the connection to the internet

# data[].attributes.subject
Networking is the connection to the internet

# data[].attributes.headline
is this the same sort of networking we did in maths?

# data[].attributes.subject
is this the same sort of networking we did in maths?

# data[].attributes.headline
Without networks we would have no internet

# data[].attributes.subject
Without networks we would have no internet

# data[].attributes.headline
a network is a connection of different points and lines between the points

# data[].attributes.subject
a network is a connection of different points and lines between the points

# data[].attributes.body
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

# data[].attributes.headline
etworking is how we connect to the internet wirelessly. (think?)

# data[].attributes.subject
etworking is how we connect to the internet wirelessly. (think?)

# data[].attributes.headline
Netwprks are ways that we connect things

# data[].attributes.subject
Netwprks are ways that we connect things