What is networking?

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Networking

What is networking?

Networking is the means by which we connect people, enabling them to communicate with each other and share information using computers. Networks can range from the mainframe host and terminal model, which proliferated in the early days of the industry; to the local area network (LAN) that connects desktop PCs in a company; to wide area networks (WANs), such as the Internet or a global corporation's connections among multinational sites. LANs are high-speed, low-error data networks that cover a relatively small geographic area (up to a few thousand meters). LANs connect workstations, peripherals, terminals, and other devices in a single building or other geographically limited areas.

.1 Benefits of Networking

A network allows users to share files, applications and printers. By connecting the computers in your company together, you can increase communication, workflow and productivity.

The vast majority of LAN environments will be based on a client/server architecture. A client/server network uses dedicated "server" systems to supply information to the "client" systems that sit on users' desks. This architecture implies that the server performs some processing.

Clients

At the centre of every network exists the PC. Most of these PCs are user desktop systems, also called clients, that access another system's network resources for file access, print services, e-mail and so on. A client system typically doesn't provide any services to other clients on the network. A network can encompass just a handful of client systems, or it can link hundreds of thousands. Typically, the companies you sell into will have networks of between 100 and 1,000 users (although you may find yourself selling into much larger accounts).

Servers

A server is any system that provides network-based services to the (client) users on the network. Usually, a network will have more than one server. Most servers offer some sort of security or protection against unauthorized use, for example, logins, passwords and group access rights.

Advantages of Networking within a workplace:

* Files can be stored on a central computer (the file server) allowing data to be shared throughout an organisation.

* Files can be backed up more easily when they are all on a central fileserver rather than when they are scattered across a number of independent workstations.

* Networks also allow security to be established, ensuring that the network users may only have access to certain files and applications.

* Software and resources can be centrally managed.

* Network versions of software often allow for their speedy installation on workstations from the file server.

* Expensive devices such as laser printers or scanners can be shared.

* Users can access their files from any workstation

Disadvantages of Networking within a workplace:

* The cabling, interface cards, file servers etc. that are required to set up a network are expensive.

* If one computer, cable or interface breaks the whole network may stop operating and you may not be able to use any of the computers until the fault is repaired. In practice this rarely happens. The exact effect of a failure will depend on the topology of the network.

* Viruses stored on a computer on a network can spread to other computers over the network.

* The files stored on computer networks can be accessed, stolen and edited more easily that files stored on a non-networked computer could be. Appropriate security measures must be implemented to prevent this.

Network Operating Systems:

Definition:

A Network Operating System (NOS) is an operating system that includes special functions for connecting computers and devices into a local-area network (LAN). Some operating systems, such as UNIX and the Mac OS, have networking functions built in. The term network operating system, however, is generally reserved for software that enhances a basic operating system by adding networking features. For example, some popular NOS's for DOS and Windows systems include Novell Netware, Artisoft's LANtastic, Microsoft LAN Manager, and Windows NT.

Summary of a NOS & How it Works:

A Network Operating System controls the network in the workplace; this control entails many different tasks at different layers in the layered architecture. For example, a major function of an NOS is to provide security to all the PCs but still allow easy access for legitimate users. An NOS such as Windows NT 4 provides the network administrator with a range of tools to manage such tasks. Some examples of this are:

* RAS administrator; this is used to manage remote users

* User Profile Editor; this tool defines user profile. A profile is a collection of settings that apply to user accounts.

* Server Manager; this is used to administer the properties of other servers on the Network.

Various Costs, Performance & Security associated with the installation of a Network

The cost, performance and susceptibility of a network can depend on such factors as size and network architecture. Thus Cost will increase in accordance to the size and complexity of the architecture .The most common network architecture are listed below:

* Small Networks: with a few users normally use Ethernet or token ring networks with one or two servers or no servers at all if Peer-to-Peer is in operation.

* Medium Networks: with a few hundred users will have the need to segment the network into logical parts. Client server is common with this type of architecture. There may be 10 or more servers or hardware such as routers and switches to provide the segmentation. Ethernet or token ring is still common with this size network.

* Large Networks: usually involve many floors or areas in a building and serve a large organisation with diverse needs. This again is segmented into logical parts for security to share the load on servers and the need to balance bandwidth for best performance.

Network Costs:

Organisations can use external suppliers to maintain a network, & even setting up a specific LAN for specific sites in their companies. It is therefore important for managers of the company to know the competition between external suppliers and the possibility of cost saving to the company.

The cost of implementing a network will include charges from the service providing company such as:

* A Network Connection Fee. This will be a one off charge relating to the cost of Hubs and Switches.

* A Network Access Fee. This will be an ongoing charge for the duration of the service provided, usually billed per month.

* The Cost of Workstation Interface cards.

Evaluating the overall cost of providing an organisation with networked facilities must take into account various factors like:
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* Maintenance & replacement of equipment.

* Depreciation

* Monitoring staff usage of workstations

Network Security Issues

Hackers attack networks for profit, to be malicious or just because they exist. They do not need any specific knowledge or tools for this as there are many web sites on the Internet for this and a list of how to attack networks with a list of latest hacks.

Even if you have a complete system backup, you must be sure the backed-up data was secure before the backup was created.

The kinds of damage ...

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