Understanding Computer Networks Essay -- Research Papers

Understanding Computer Networks Each day, students and faculty at State University sit down in front of a PC or UNIX workstation and eagerly check their electronic mail, surf the World Wide Web, or run applications such as word processors and analysis packages. To most users, the magical wire which carries all of this information is nothing more than an electrical construct; two pair of wires twisted together and crimped at the end with phone connectors. Our world today is built on networking in every field from cable television to telephone systems, yet many engineers, old and young alike, have no idea what constructs enable them to communicate seamlessly across the globe. Computer technology is constantly evolving. Fifteen years ago, computers were connected via simple serial interfaces communicating at 9600 bits per second. Today, workstations pump out data at rates in excess of 100,000,000 bits per second, and the road to improvement seems endless. The networking industry is filled with jargon which make it difficult to understand. While the concept of networking is not difficult to grasp, it is often difficult to fully explain. This text will enable the reader to understand the basic hardware that allows a computer network to function. Computer networks consist of five major components. Two of these components are probably familiar to you: the workstation and the network server. When you sit down at a networked computer, the first thing you do is type in your name and a password. This process allows the computer to recognize you, and verify you are who you say you are by means of a password. When the login process is complete, you are connected to a network server; a device that simultaneously manages the disk space and... ...until it finds its final destination. And of course, traffic on the same floor wonÕt be forwarded by the router, since it was already sent to every port on that floor by the switch or repeater. Repeaters, switches, and routers form the basis of computer networks as we know them today. These devices provide connectivity which spans from the desktop to the global internet and back again. The networking industry is growing at an exponential rate, and there are constant challenges to make these devices faster, cheaper, and better. The knowledge presented here is just the tip of a gigantic iceberg with many opportunities for those interested, including opportunities in circuit design, network administration, systems consulting, and more. As networking grows to encompass every aspect of our lives, so will the value of people who know what networking is and how it works. Understanding Computer Networks Essay -- Research Papers Understanding Computer Networks Each day, students and faculty at State University sit down in front of a PC or UNIX workstation and eagerly check their electronic mail, surf the World Wide Web, or run applications such as word processors and analysis packages. To most users, the magical wire which carries all of this information is nothing more than an electrical construct; two pair of wires twisted together and crimped at the end with phone connectors. Our world today is built on networking in every field from cable television to telephone systems, yet many engineers, old and young alike, have no idea what constructs enable them to communicate seamlessly across the globe. Computer technology is constantly evolving. Fifteen years ago, computers were connected via simple serial interfaces communicating at 9600 bits per second. Today, workstations pump out data at rates in excess of 100,000,000 bits per second, and the road to improvement seems endless. The networking industry is filled with jargon which make it difficult to understand. While the concept of networking is not difficult to grasp, it is often difficult to fully explain. This text will enable the reader to understand the basic hardware that allows a computer network to function. Computer networks consist of five major components. Two of these components are probably familiar to you: the workstation and the network server. When you sit down at a networked computer, the first thing you do is type in your name and a password. This process allows the computer to recognize you, and verify you are who you say you are by means of a password. When the login process is complete, you are connected to a network server; a device that simultaneously manages the disk space and... ...until it finds its final destination. And of course, traffic on the same floor wonÕt be forwarded by the router, since it was already sent to every port on that floor by the switch or repeater. Repeaters, switches, and routers form the basis of computer networks as we know them today. These devices provide connectivity which spans from the desktop to the global internet and back again. The networking industry is growing at an exponential rate, and there are constant challenges to make these devices faster, cheaper, and better. The knowledge presented here is just the tip of a gigantic iceberg with many opportunities for those interested, including opportunities in circuit design, network administration, systems consulting, and more. As networking grows to encompass every aspect of our lives, so will the value of people who know what networking is and how it works.