Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
• Remote-control/access programs can be used to troubleshoot problems or show new
users how to perform a task.
Types of Networks
Severaltypesofnetworksexist,fromsmalltwo-stationarrangements,tonetworksthatin-
terconnect offices in many cities:
Local area networks —The smallest office network is referred to as a local area net-
work (LAN) . A LAN is formed from computers and components in a single office or
building.LANsbuiltfromthesamecomponentsasareusedinofficenetworksarealso
common at home.
Wide area networks —LANs in different locations can be connected by high-speed
fiber-optic, satellite, or leased phone lines to form a wide area network (WAN) .
TheInternet —TheWorldWideWebisthemostvisiblepartoftheworld'slargestnet-
work, the Internet. The Internet is really a network of networks, all of which are con-
nected to each other through Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/
IP). It's a glorified WAN in many respects. Programs such as web browsers, File
Transfer Protocol (FTP) clients, and email clients are some of the most common ways
users work with the Internet.
Intranets —Intranets use the same web browsers and other software and the same
TCP/IP protocol as the public Internet, but intranets exist as a portion of a company's
private network. Typically, intranets comprise one or more LANs that are connected
to other company networks, but, unlike the Internet, the content is restricted to author-
ized company users only. Essentially, an intranet is a private Internet.
Extranets —Intranets that share a portion of their content with customers, suppliers,
or other businesses, but not with the general public, are called extranets . As with in-
tranets, the same web browsers and other software are used to access the content.
Note
Both intranets and extranets rely on firewalls and other security tools and procedures to keep
their private contents private.
Requirements for a Network
Unlessthecomputersthatareconnectedknowtheyareconnectedandagreeonacommon
means of communication and what resources are to be shared, they can't work together.
Networking software is just as important as networking hardware because it establishes
the logical connections that make the physical connections work.
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