Networking Essentials

Networking Terms and Concepts: -

The first PC network operating systems (such as Novell NetWare and Microsoft LAN Manager) were designed as add-ons to existing desktop operating systems. A new breed of PC operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT, now include a fully-integrated system of network services. The integration of network services within personal desktop operating systems and the public emergence of the worldwide network—the Internet—has generated incredible momentum in the movement to “get connected.” Networks have become the primary means of disseminating information in most modern offices.

A network is a group of interconnected systems sharing services and interacting by means of a shared communications link. At its simplest, a computer network is two or more computers sharing information across a common transmission medium.

All networks must have the following:

• Something to share (data)
• A physical pathway (transmission medium)
• Rules of communication (protocols)

The goals of computer networking are to provide services and to reduce equipment costs. Networks enable computers to share their resources by offering services to other computers. Some of the primary reasons for networking PCs are as follows:

• Sharing files
• Sharing printers and other devices
• Enabling common administration and security
• Supporting network applications such as electronic mail and database services

Three methods of organization, or models:

1. Centralized computing model involves the following:

• All processing takes place in the central, mainframe computer.
• Terminals are connected to the central computer and function only as input/output devices.
• Networks may be employed to interconnect two or more mainframe computers. Terminals connect only to the mainframe, never to each other.

2. Distributed computing involves the following:

• Multiple computers are capable of operating independently.
• Tasks are completed locally on various computers.
• Networks enable the computers to exchange data and services but do not provide processing assistance.

3. Collaborative computing involves the following:

• Multiple computers cooperating to perform a task
• A network that enables the computers to exchange data and services
• Software designed to take advantage of the collaborative environment.

Microsoft networks are generally based on the distributed computing model and that many higher-end NT options incorporate collaborative computing elements as well.

PC networks generally fall within two network types:

1. A server-based network: a group of user-oriented PCs (called clients) that request and receive network services from specialized computers called servers.

Servers are generally higher-performance systems, optimized to provide network services to other PCs.

2. A peer-to-peer network is a group of user- oriented PCs that basically operate as equals. Each PC is called a peer.

The peers share resources, such as files and printers, but no specialized servers exist. Each peer is responsible for its security,

Many network environments are a combination of server-based and peer-to-peer networking models. For example, an organization may concurrently use Novell’s server-based network operating system, NetWare, and Microsoft’s peer-to-peer operating system, Windows for Workgroups. New desktop operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows 95, integrate easily into either network model.

Two flavors of Windows NT— Windows NT Server and Windows NT Workstation

 
Windows NT Server—is optimized to act as a file, print, and application server and is designed to function as a server in server-based networks. NT Server can support unlimited concurrent incoming sessions (depending on the licensing agreement) and up to 256 inbound RAS connections. Windows NT Server can also act as a domain controller, maintaining a user account database for an entire domain.

Windows NT Workstation—is optimized for desktop performance. Windows NT Workstation can serve as a high-security, industrial strength desktop operating system and, therefore, is designed to function as a client in a server-based network or as a peer in a peer-to-peer network.