LAN | Computer Networking

Why Network

Computer networking involves the connection of two or more computer systems. On a small scale network of home computers may seem useless. What should be considered is the resources that become available when you network computers. These resources are not limited to data only. Networking allows the shared use of printers, faxes, email, modems, CD and DVD players. Communicating over a network includes email, chat rooms and video conferencing. A network allows the computer user enhanced flexibility. When setting up a computer network the user will need to select an appropriate security system based on the size of the network.

Computer networks range from small to large based on their size and location. Classifications of networks include: local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), and wide area networks (WAN).

A LAN is the smallest computer network. This network is created by linking two or more computers that are located in close proximity of each other. A LAN network can be established within a room, building or an area within a specific geographical location.

The MAN type of network is established in a metropolitan area. High speed fiber optic cable is used to connect the network. A MAN connects many LAN’s to the internet and each other.

When tow or more networks are connected across a large area it is called a WAN. The connection is accomplished through phone lines, satellite or cable networks. The internet is a WAN type network. A home internet connection is received via satellite, cable or phone lines.

Based on the needs of the end user, a network can be accomplished through one of these types of networks. The network established will provide a wider variety of resources to the computer user. Every computer user should research their needs and identify a networking system that will increase their productivity and provide financial saving through the sharing of resources.

Filed Under: LAN

Threat Protection

There is one thing that is certain when considering the protection of your computer. This certainty is, “doing nothing is not an option.” When you choose to do nothing you are sure to become the victim of one of the many types of threats that exist in the world of the internet. It may be a virus, worm, or Trojan horse. Your computer may be hijacked by spyware that records your every internet move. Doing nothing to defend against these dangers of the internet will ensure that your computer will fall victim to them. In order to protect yourself there are several steps that must occur.

Authentication is the first step of defense. Authentication involves the requirement of a user name and password when accessing your computer. This important task will eliminate the chance of unwanted access to your computer. Authorization occurs after authentication. Authorization is used to confirm that a computer user has the appropriate rights to access specific resources. Authorization allows the user to preform functions withing the system based on their level of permission.

Passwords are the key to maintaining the security of your computer system. An easy password presents the chance of compromising security. Experts recommend that passwords consist of at least eight characters and include a mixture of both letters and numbers, uppercase and lowercase usage as well as characters that are not a letter or number. Creating a strong password is an important component of security. Passwords should not be used for long periods of time or reused. Using the same password for multiple accounts will also put a computer user at risk. When establishing your password it will be important to create information that will not be easy to guess but will be easy for you to remember. These actions will begin the process of securing your computer system.

Filed Under: Computers, Internet, LAN

Servers

A server is a computer on a network that provides access to the resources sought by other computers on the network. When a computer is set up to share resources it runs a program that allows access to its resources. At this point the computer becomes a server. When a computer wants to access a shared resource on a network it must run a program that allows access to the desired information or function. Computers accessing information on a network are called clients. A majority of computers can act as both the server and a client at the same time. Several years ago, a server would indicate a large mainframe computer that several computer stations were connected with in order to access resources. With the advances in technology this no longer holds true.

Servers today can consist of a dedicated computer that serves one or more roles. The server can also be a computer that provides access to certain information and also acts as a client. There are many different types of functions that a server can provide.

A directory service server maintains the database of directory service for an organization. The administrator of the directory service network manages the accounts on the directory via administrative tools.

A file and print server allows multiple users to access the same printer and available files. This type of server can reduce the cost of an organization and allow the collaborative use of information between network users.

An email server provides the function of transmitting, receiving, and storing email information. Email servers exist within the network of a business setting and as a service provided to the general public. Broader communication has become a tool that is used to make business more efficient. The availability of communicating with friends and family through email has become a cornerstone of staying connected. In both the business and personal worlds, the email server plays and important role.

Filed Under: LAN

Firewalls

Firewalls provide protection against threats that are present when a computer has an connection to the internet that is not protected. A firewall reviews the information coming in and out of the network and will block any traffic that is considered a threat to the system. There are many types of firewall technologies.

A proxy service is designed to watch for traffic specific to applications. The proxy service intercepts outgoing connections and directs incoming traffic. A proxy service may also block traffic from specific domains. Encrypted authentication will require the successful completion of a user name and password before allowing access through the firewall. The IP packet filter inspects the packets of information that flow through the network. When a packet of information fails the inspection it is denied access to pass through the firewall. A virtual private network (VPN) is a virtual tunnel created between to points on a public network. A VPN provides the safest way to protect the connection of private networks over the internet.

Firewalls can be customized to allow the addition or removal of filters. Customizing a firewall also allows the filter selection to be based on the conditions of usage. Some computer operating systems have an internal firewall installed. If a system does not have an internal firewall there are software options available that can be downloaded to your computer. A firewall provides the protection from a log on to a private network from an outside source.

The use of a firewall will shield your computer for outside attacks to the operating system. Your selection of a firewall includes both the hardware version that consists of a device that is positioned between your computer and internet connection and the software version that is downloaded onto your system. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. The most important decision is to select one and utilize a firewall system.

Filed Under: Internet, LAN

Setting Up a Home Wireless Network

Image via Wikipedia

It is essential today to have a computer system at home. You can manage your finances and write documents, not to mention access the Internet. For some however, even this is not enough. With the right equipment, you can set up your own wireless network at home. This way, you can share files among multiple computers, print from printers in other rooms, surf the Web from anywhere in the house, and if you really want to get serious, control lighting, televisions, and appliances.

The first thing you’ll need is a wireless router, which basically broadcasts signals from the Internet wirelessly. Equally important is a wireless network adapter that connects the computer to the router via USB or PC card. Follow the instructions included with the equipment carefully and note how the ports on each device are labeled.

Connecting the equipment can be tricky, but following the details on the ports and cables should guide you along. Next is the configuration, which is done through the Internet browser. For all the pieces of equipment listed, each will have an IP address, username, and password. You might have to configure these for the wireless encryption or Wi-Fi protected access, to protect your network, and for your own administrative access. Make sure you save your settings to the browser when you are done.

If your computer doesn’t already have wireless capability built in, then you have to plug in any necessary adapter. Install any software required and follow the prompts for setting up the system. Windows, for example, will have a set of specific instructions that you’ll have to follow to get the network to work properly.

You’ll have to configure each device in the network, such as any desktops, laptops, or other machines that comprise the home network. Once this process is complete, you will be able to go online from any location within the signal range.

Filed Under: Internet, LAN

LAN for Businesses

: Image via Wikipedia

Many business, both large and small, use local area networks, otherwise known as a LAN, for getting everyone on the same page. There are many benefits to using a local area network in your business.

One big benefit for many companies is that if you are on a local area network, you won’t have to worry about getting everyone their own peripherals. Some of the bigger items, such as fax machines, copiers, or printers, can be set up to the network, and everyone (or at least a large number of people) can use the same equipment. This can help your company cut costs.

File sharing on a local area network is also a great tool. With this, the people on the network are able to transfer files easily to each other. This can help with large projects, or things that people in the company are working on together. Being able to share this information quickly and easily allows productivity to go up.

You can help make sure that the computers on your network all have adequate security, as well. With a local area network, you can not only make sure that all the computers have security features, but you can also limit what is able to be downloaded, installed, or even what websites can or can’t be accessed on the network.

Similar to file sharing, software can also be shared over a local area network. Being able to share this information can help keep the company organized and productive.

There are many reasons for having a local area network in your business. No matter the size of the business, the cost savings, and the increase in productivity is well worth the set up time and energy of putting up a local area network. Though you may need someone to oversee the network from time to time, you may already have someone in your company capable of this.

Filed Under: Internet, LAN, Technology Tagged With: Business, Filesharing, Local area network

What is a LAN Party?

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Many people who enjoy gaming know exactly what a LAN party is, and how LAN gaming works. Others are new to the idea, and are still getting used to it. So, what is a LAN party? Baiscally it is a gathering of like minded people to play a game on the computer with others, though a LAN, or local area network. Many times, these gaming get togethers are spontaneous. Other times, they may happen on certain days of the week, or at specific times of the year. Most frequently, LAN parties are small, with just a local group of friends getting together to play a game. Other times, though, these parties can take some major planning. for example, the world record LAN party was held in 2007 in Sweden. There were about 10,445 computers connected to the system!

When setting up a LAN party, you need to keep in mind that there has to be enough room for all of the computers expected to set up. You also need enough power, and a hub for the computers to connect to the network. If all of the computers that are expected to be included in the LAN have wireless capabilities, the hub may not be necessary. There are many games that can be played in a LAN party, but some of the most popular are StarCraft, World of Warcraft, Team Fortress, Halo, and Call of Duty. Some LAN parties only last a few hours. Others end up lasing days!

If you are heading to a LAN party, or even if you are hosting, there are some things to keep in mind. First, you will want to make sure that there is food enough for everybody. Having snacks, junk food, and fast food is almost a staple at a lan party. On top of that, energy drinks are very popular. Most people want to keep their energy up, and keep going while they are playing their favorite games!

Filed Under: LAN, Technology Tagged With: LAN, Local area network, StarCraft

Using the Internet for Education

: Image via CrunchBase

Have you really stopped to think about how important the Internet is in our daily lives? For anyone under 40, there are very few in the United States and many other countries who don’t get online at least once during the day. Many of us are online much of the day. Work is online. School is online. Socialization is online. Some might worry that the Internet will take over our lives. There are so many tools available to use online that many might not even be aware of.

When it comes to attending school, there are tools that can help us stay connected to our teachers and classmates. Let’s say you have a group project that requires you to work with three other people. How do you connect to your fellow workers to get the project completed? You could meet up in the library, but with hectic schedules of classes and work, what are the chances you’ll all have time available at the same time? That’s where the Internet can help. If you haven’t tried it, check out Google Docs. Everyone who has a Gmail account (which really should be everyone since it’s now available to anyone who wants one and Gmail is awesome!) has access to Google Docs.

You can create a document and make it available to everyone in your group through their email address. They’ll receive an email letting them know that they’ve been invited to look at the document. You can create it so that everyone invited can edit the document. This is a great way to work on the project because everyone can contribute to the document, which can include notes on what you’ll present in the presentation, a research paper that all of you need to work on together, or a list of what needs to be done and who will do it. There is also presentation software (similar to PowerPoint) and a spreadsheet program (similar to Excel).

Filed Under: Internet, LAN, Technology Tagged With: Google, Google Doc, United States

Is Print Media Dead?

With the age of the Internet upon us, you have to wonder if print media is dying. With the existence of e-readers that allows users to download periodicals through a Wi-Fi or 3G connection right onto the readers, you may wonder whether we need print newspapers and magazines. This isn’t to say that the newspaper is a dying breed – it’s more of a creature that is evolving into something new. Why would people pay for a subscription to something that they can read online?

Some newspapers have been fighting this new trend by making it so you can’t read their material without a subscription which gives you valid login online. This may work for local newspapers where you really can’t get the information anywhere else (such as whether the high school girls basketball team won their game or who made to top 10 in the local high school’s senior class), but for general world and regional news, this isn’t going to work. Too many newspaper outlets give readers access to news for free.

If you go to the New York Times website, all that’s required to read the information is to create a login that is free. The New York Times must realize that the money isn’t going to come from the readers, but from the advertisers on their site. Draw in readers with the news and get them to click on ads. That’s where the revenue is. The news outlets that are willing to follow this trend will be able to survive. Those that don’t will find themselves with the dinosaurs extinct.

The real question is, though, whether there will continue to be printed newspapers or will we get to the point where everything is electronic. It’s hard to say. There will always be people who will want to hold the news in their hands and flip through the pages, but that number may be small enough that it’s not cost effective to print the news.

Filed Under: Internet, LAN, Technology Tagged With: New York Times, Newspaper, Printing