Basic Networking and Wireless Deployment

Basic Networking and History

• Switches form the foundation of most business networks
• Managed switches allow configuration and monitoring of Local Area Networks (LANs), increasing control over network traffic
• Cloud-managed switches simplify network management with user-friendly interfaces and automatic updates.
• Routers connect multiple networks together and connect computers to the internet
• Routers act as dispatchers, analyzing data, selecting optimal routes, and forwarding the data.
• Access points allow wireless device connections, acting as network amplifiers
• Access points support various IEEE standards, each with different frequencies, bandwidths, and numbers of channels.

Wireless Networking Deployment

• Centralized deployments are commonly used in campuses due to close proximity of buildings and networks.
• Converged deployments combine wired and wireless networks on a single device.
• Cloud-based deployments use cloud services to manage network devices deployed across multiple locations.

Computer Networks

• Networks connect computers and devices for communication and data exchange.
• Nodes are devices connected to a network (computers, servers, printers, etc).
• Protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP) are sets of rules governing network data transmission
• Network topology refers to the physical and logical arrangement of nodes (bus, star, ring, mesh, tree).
• Computer networks were initially developed in the 1950s for military and defence purposes.

Network Types

• LANs (Local Area Networks) cover small areas like offices or homes.
• WANs (Wide Area Networks) cover large areas like cities or countries, often connecting multiple LANs.
• Cloud networks are hosted by cloud service providers, accessible when needed, offering virtual routers and firewalls.

Network Devices and Protocols

• Network devices are multiple interconnected devices known as hosts
• Internet Protocol (IP): Used to identify and address devices on a network
• Domain Name System (DNS): Translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses
• Firewalls monitor and control network traffic, protecting networks from unauthorized access.
• Protocols like HTTP and HTTPS are used for web transmission, while SMTP is for email transmission and FTP for file transfer.

Network Security

• Network security is essential for protecting data from unauthorized access and attacks.
• Firewalls control incoming and outgoing network traffic
• Encryption protects data through encoding
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.
• Network access controls restrict access to resources based on user identity
• Regular updates maintain system security and protect against security vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• IP Addresses: Unique identifiers for network devices, crucial for communication.
• TCP vs UDP: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ensures reliable, ordered data delivery, suitable for web browsing and email. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) prioritizes speed over reliability, used in streaming and gaming
• Firewalls: Network security devices or software that act as a barrier between a trusted network and an untrusted network like the internet.
• Subnet Masks: Divide a network into subnetworks, helping determine network and host components within an IP address.
• NAT (Network Address Translation): Translates private IP addresses to public ones, conserving IP addresses and providing network security.
• MAC Addresses: Unique hardware identifiers for network interface cards (NICs).
• Latency: The time it takes for data to travel across a network.

Operating System History

• Early computing (1940s-1950s) lacked widespread operating systems.
• First-generation operating systems (1950s-early 1960s) used single-tasking and batch processing systems.
• Second-generation operating systems (1960s) introduced multiprogramming and time-sharing concepts.
• Third-generation operating systems (1970s) utilized Unix, emphasized portability and multitasking, leading to personal computing.
• Fourth-generation operating systems (1980s) featured graphical user interfaces (GUIs) like MS-DOS and Apple Macintosh.
• Fifth-generation operating systems (1990s) focused on modern OS such as Windows 95 that introduced 32-bit programming.
• Sixth-generation operating systems (2000s-present) revolved around mobile devices, cloud computing, and advancements in AI and quantum computing.

Computer Hardware

• Computer hardware encompasses the physical components of a computer (e.g., monitor, CPU, mouse).
• Input devices gather user data (keyboard, mouse, scanner)
• Output devices display processed information (monitor, printer, speakers).
• Storage devices allow for permanent data storage (hard drive, CDs, DVDs)
• Internal components form the central processing unit within the computer's core, encompassing the motherboard, RAM, and video graphics array (VGA) port.
• The CPU, motherboard, RAM (RAM), and VGA port are crucial internal components, facilitating computing processes.
• A power supply provides electrical power to the computer components.
• Cooling fans prevent overheating.