TLE 10 Computer Systems Servicing - Week 4

Network Operating Systems

• Two main types of networking models: Peer-to-Peer (P2P) and Client-Server.

Peer-to-Peer Networking

• P2P networks consist of connected PCs that share resources directly without a separate server.
• Can be ad hoc (temporary connections) or permanent (set up in small offices).
• Appropriate for small local area networks (LANs), especially in homes and small businesses.
• Utilizes the same protocols and software across all devices.
• Can take advantage of the internet for geographically dispersed networks.
• Hybrid configurations exist, where routers serve centralized functions while peer devices manage local sharing directly.

Client-Server Networking

• Gained popularity in the 1990s, allowing personal computers to replace mainframes.
• Involves specific roles for client devices (requesting info) and servers (providing data/resources).
• Common on both the internet and local area networks (LANs).
• Examples of client-server systems include web browsers, web servers, and DNS systems.

Client Server Hardware

• Client devices include PCs and mobile devices with network software for requesting data.
• Servers are powerful machines capable of storing files, applications, and databases, typically with enhanced processing and memory capabilities.

Client-Server Applications

• Organize network traffic by sending messages from clients to servers for processing and response.
• A single server can serve multiple clients, and server pools can handle increased loads.
• Some devices may function as both clients and servers for different applications.

Local Client-Server Networks

• Many home networks operate on a small-scale client-server basis.
• Broadband routers serve as DHCP servers, assigning IP addresses to connected devices.
• Other server types in homes may include print servers and backup servers.

Client-Server vs. Peer-to-Peer

• Developed to efficiently share database access among multiple users.
• Offers greater flexibility than mainframe models by allowing on-demand connections.

Microsoft Windows Server Features

• Windows Server OS provides enterprise-level operational control over data storage and networks.
• Roles assigned to a server determine its function (e.g., file server, DNS server) with additional features enhancing its capabilities.

Active Directory

• A directory service within Windows Server, essential for managing permissions and network resource access.
• Organizes data as objects (users, groups, devices).
• Central to a Microsoft network, providing a Domain Controller (DC) for authentication.

Domain Name System (DNS)

• A set of protocols integral to TCP/IP for mapping computer names to IP addresses.
• Facilitates communication between users and machines by resolving names.

Organizational Units (OU)

• Containers in Active Directory that hold users, groups, and computers.
• Serve as the smallest organizational unit for applying policies and permissions.
• Must maintain unique attributes for all contents within the OU.

Active Directory Groups

• Utilize groups to manage resource permissions, improving administrative efficiency.
• Best practices include grouping users and applying access controls through these groups.

Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC)

• A management console for administering Active Directory, allowing easy management of users, OUs, and attributes.
• Highly utilized tool since Windows 2000 for effective Active Directory administration.

This quiz focuses on Network Operating Systems, emphasizing key concepts such as Peer to Peer Networking and Client Server Networking. Students will be tested on their understanding of how these networking models operate in computer systems servicing. It is designed for Quarter 1, Week 4 of the TLE 10 program.