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Extended

Learning Module
E
Network Basics

McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION

 Computer network – two or more


computers connected so that they
can communicate with each other
and share information, software,
peripheral devices, and/or processing
power

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4 Basic Principles of Networks

1. Each computer must have a network


interface
2. The network usually has at least one
connecting device
3. The network must have
communications media to transport
information
4. Each computer must have software
to move information on the network
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HOME NETWORKS

 A typical home network setup has


1. An Ethernet network card in each
computer or a wireless card in each
laptop
2. Network cables to transmit signals, or
radio waves for wireless
3. A DSL or cable modem connection and
a broadband/home router

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NETWORKS BY DISTANCE

 Local Area Network (LAN) –


network that serves a building or
buildings in a contiguous area
 Wide Area Network (WAN) –
networks serving areas not
immediately contiguous
 Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN) – networks within the same
city or metropolitan area
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Broadband Internet Connection

 Broadband – high-capacity
telecommunications line capable of
providing high-speed Internet service
 All Internet access methods on the
previous slide are broadband except
the dialup modem

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Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) – high-


speed Internet connection using phone
lines, which allows you to use your
phone for voice communications at the
same time
 Runs at a higher frequency than voice
conversations, so not supported on
some older phone lines

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Cable Modem

 Cable modem – uses your TV cable to


deliver an Internet connection

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Satellite Modem

 Satellite modem – delivers Internet


access by means of a satellite dish
 Satellite TV and modem may share
same dish or may be separate
 Connects to computer or broadband
router like cable modem

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NETWORK
COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA

 Communications media – the


paths in a network over which
information travels
 Wired communications media –
transmit information over a closed,
connected path
 Wireless communications media
– transmit information through the
air
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Wireless Communications
Media
 Infrared – uses red light to send and receive
information
 Wi-Fi or Wireless Fidelity - a standard for
transmitting information in the form of radio
waves over distances of about 100 feet
 With directional antennas, the distance can be
increased to several miles
 Wi-Fi hotspots – sites that offer wireless
Internet access for your laptop or tablet.
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NETWORK SECURITY

 The four principles of network


security are:
1. Confidentiality
2. Authenticity
3. Integrity
4. Availability

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Firewalls & Intrusion
Detection Systems

 Firewall – protects a computer from


intruders
 Intrusion detection system (IDS)
– watches for and reports intrusion
attempts
 Intrusion prevention system
(IPS) – type of IDS that also takes
action against intrusion attempts

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Encryption

 Encryption – scrambles data so you


can't read it without having the
decryption key
 Virtual Private Network (VPN) –
encrypts all network transmissions
between two endpoints to protect
confidentiality and integrity of data

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Malware

 Malware – software designed to


harm your computer or security
1. Virus – software written with malicious
intent to cause annoyance or damage
2. Worm – spreads itself from computer
to computer via e-mail and other
network traffic
3. Spyware – collects information about
you and reports it to someone else
without your permission
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