Netwoking Training

Computer networks have grown from simple experiments to global resources
The history of computer networking and the Internet spans not just the decades of computer development, but the century of communication technology preceding it. From small, theoretical roots, computer networks have grown to form a dominant force in modern communication and media.

Before Computers

Several inventions preceded the advent of computer networks, and paved the way for their eventual success. Alexander Graham Bell's telephone, demonstrated in 1876, provided the groundwork for networking connections, and Thomas Edison's work with electricity in the late 19th century gave us the structural framework for future computer technology.

Leonard Kleinrock

Perhaps as integral to the formation of computer networking as any one man, Leonard Kleinrock, an MIT professor, introduced the concept of computer packet switching in 1961, and suggesting the possibility of non-circuit based computer networks. Kleinrock conducted several initial experiments to confirm the feasibility of his theory.

ARPANET

in 1966, Kleinrock and his associates at MIT proposed a plan for what would become ARPANET, the first long-distance computer network. The first connection was made between UCLA and Stanford in 1969, with other nodes following. ARPANET grew for several years before its first public demonstration in 1972.

First Email

Other breakthroughs in networking took place during ARPANET's early stages, including the birth of email. Ray Tomlinson sent the first mail message in 1970, and email integration into ARPANET took place in 1973.

TCP/IP

A paper published by Bob Kahn and Vint Cerf in 1974 gave ARPANET the technology it needed to spread beyond its initial trappings: the Transfer Control Protocol, or TCP. This protocol allowed computers and networks of different varieties to connect to each other for the first time. The protocol was implemented in 1983, a year which also marked the split of ARPANET into the military controlled MILNET and a civilian network.

Widespread Adoption

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, ARPANET grew into what we now recognize as the Internet, and computer networking became more complex. Other developments, such as the introduction of the World-Wide-Web standard in 1991, and the free release of Netscape Navigator 1.0 in 1994 helped computer networks become easier to use and more accessible.

Client Server Networks

A more common type of network is called a client server network. This type of network uses a central server and specialized network software. The server is dedicated and is only used to store files and run server tasks. The computers which connect to the server are called clients and these are the machines the company staff would use.
The server acts as the "hub" of the network, and does most of the "behind the scenes" maintenance and storage. Common server network operating systems include Windows Small Business Server 2003 or 2008, Windows Server or Linux.

Benefits of a Client Server Network
  • The server stores all of the shared files for each user.
  • The server runs the file backups which can be scheduled in the middle of the night, minimizing network interruptions.
  • The server manages user security, and insures that all users who access the network are authorized to do so.
  • The server manages printer sharing and acts as a central repository for the printer drivers and settings.
  • The server manages other common tasks such as internet access, email routing, Windows updating and anti-virus definition management.
  • The server can also share software applications out to multiple users.
  • The server can also provide for an "Intranet", an internal website which holds shared company information such as news announcements, HR policies, training documents, and more. In short, a client server network provides for easier network administration, and provides a much more robust environment in which provide secure and manageable access to company data.
Limitations of a Client Server Computer Network The benefits of a client server computer network are substantial, but there are some limitations.
  • A server based computer network is more expensive to implement. Server computers are powerful machines with built-in redundancy and other hardware to provide data safety. Hence, they cost much more than a simple desktop computer.
  • The server network software is also much more powerful, complicated, and must be installed correctly to run all of the required tasks, and so the cost is higher for both the software and installation charges.
  • The server is a critical point of failure. If it goes down, the entire network comes to a halt. This drawback can be minimized with the installation of redundant drives in the server (so that if one fails, the others will still be working), and even a second server that can take over if the primary server fails completely. Cost then becomes the only issue.
Which Computer Network is Best For Your Business?

Peer to peer computer networks are reliant upon the computer users, so employee behavior is a major factor. Peer to peer networking could work for your business if you have the following:
  • Computer savvy employees whom you trust.
  • Low employee turnover.
  • Five or less employees.
  • Newer desktop or laptop machines with lots of memory and hard drive space.
  • A large capacity portable data storage unit for backing up files and taking them off site.
  • Time and motivation to keep the computer patches and maintenance up to date.
A client server computer network is more secure, easier to manage, and would be a better solution for your business if the following is true:
  • You want to secure your company data and provide access to certain files and folders to only a few employees.
  • Your business experiences high employee turnover.
  • You have more than 5 employees.
  • A secure, complete backup of all of your critical business data is needed.
  • A central information repository for your employees would be helpful.
  • You want to have a cohesive email solution using a single domain address (i.e., jack@yourcompany.com, megan@yourcompany.com).
Think of the cost of implementing a network as an investment in your business. As your business grows, implementing a computer network will help your employees share information and resources, and in the long run, will play a major role in the successful growth of your business.

TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKING

There are two basic types of computer Networks:
  • LAN: LAN or Local Area Network is the most common kind of network set up. There are two ways to connect a LAN network. The simplest and easiest way is the peer-to-peer connection network. This is when two or more computers are directly connected to each other. For example if there were four computers in the network, computer 1 would be connected to computer 2, computer 2 would be connected to computer 3 and computer 3 would be connected to computer 4. This means each computer is dependent on the other. And if there were a network problem with any one computer, all of them would be affected. The other type if the client server connection. This is the type of connection where all the computers in a given network are connected to one central computer. This is a more complicated network but one that is much more efficient that peer-to-peer.
  • WAN: WAN or Wide Area Network is when several LANs or independent computers are connected to a single, wider network. The Internet is the perfect example of WAN. Emails, Chat Rooms and IMs all connect to the WAN of the Internet. WAN is much more complex and requires connecting devices or hubs from all over the world.
COMPUTER NETWORKING DESIGN TIPS

Networks and network servers need to be designed according to the requirement of the organization. Here are some tips for Computer networking design:
  • Server Processor: the processor is to the network what the heart is to the body. It is what processes all the activities of the network. Pentium Processors are superior processors for use in network designing.
  • Hard Disk: Hard disks are where all the data is stored permanently. While selecting a hard disk for a network, consider the Smart Monitoring and Reporting Technology, as this is what will be monitoring the hard drives. Provide the network with a hot swap disk drive that can replace the faulty hard disk.
  • Clustering: This is an environment created on the network when two or more servers operate as a single server. This is so as to encourage performance, reliability and load balancing.
  • Memory Performance: while you are selecting the memory for the network in progress consider Error Correcting Code technology, this fixes and repairs errors of single and multi bit varieties.
  • Power Supply: there is a need for multi-power supply while designing a network. This is done so that in the case of failure of one source of power supply there is always another available.
  • UPS: there is a need for UPS or Uninterrupted power supply for networks so as to balance any sudden jerks in electricity that can cause damage to the network and server.
  • Cooling fans: every server set up in the network needs a cooling system and this is what the cooling fans do inside the server.
  • Computer Monitoring Hardware: this is a designed adapter that monitors the performance of the various parts of the hardware of the computer.
  • Computer Monitoring Software: there are thousands of computers monitoring software available in the market to monitor the performance of the server and the other computers in the network.
  • Data Server Location: the network server needs to be placed in an environment that is dust-free, has a capacity for cooling and should be clean. And this location should be accessible to authorized personnel.
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