Chapter 1 Flashcards
network
A network is a group of computers and possibly other devices (ex. printers) connected by some type of transmission media (ex. wire, fiber optic, wireless)
abilities of a network
Networks are mechanisms for sharing resources
Networks allow multiple users and/or applications to share a common set of data
Networks can also be used to manage resources (install software, resolve problems, etc.) from a central location
resources
Devices (ex. printers or disk drives), data and programs accessed via a network
stand-alone computer
When a computer IS NOT attached to a network, it is known as a stand-alone computer
local computer
Local computer is the computer you are working on
remote computer (remote device)
Remote computer (or remote device) is the computer or device you are accessing via the network
peer-to-peer network (P2P Network)
A peer-to-peer network (P2P network) is a network in which computers can communicate with each other but there is no centralized authority to manage the network
rights
Rights: what a user can and cannot do
permissions
Permissions: what resources a user can access and what the user can do with these resources
issues with security on a p2p network
Each operating system can (and in many cases does) have different security capabilities and features
Since security is implemented on each computer, then the potential exists for inconsistencies on how the security is implemented
advantages of p2p network
Easy to configure (if the network is small – 5 or less computers)
Less expensive then Client/Server based networks (see next slide)
diadvantages of p2p network
Becomes difficult to manage as the network grows
Difficult to fully secure due to variations in capabilities of various O/S and inconsistencies in how security is implemented
Not considered to be highly scalable due to technical limitations and problems relating to managing each computer individually
Limited application support – many network applications do not support the use of a peer-to-peer network
primary uses of p2p networks
Home or small office networks
microsoft terms for p2p networks
workgroup and homegroup
client server network
A client/server network (not the same as client/server application) is a network in which one or more computers (network servers) perform the network management functions for all computers on the network
Network operating system (NOS)
Network servers utilize a special operating system known as a Network Operating System or NOS that is capable of managing networks
network clients
Computers that are attached to a client/server based network but DO NOT provide network management functions are known as network clients.
workstations
Network client
Workstations (personnel computers or notebook computers) running operating systems such as XP or Vista
member servers
Network client
Member servers are computers that provide services via a network (ex. database servers or web servers) but DO NOT perform network management functions
client operating system
Network clients have their own operating system known as the client operating system
The client operating system manages the operation of the client (ex. starting programs, allocating memory and accessing disk drives on the client) and interfaces with the network operating system for network operations
Windows XP and Windows 7 are examples of client O/S in Windows
Windows Server is also a client operating system when it is running on a computer that is not a network server (a server that is not performing network management functions)
network servers
Not all servers of a client/server based network are network servers; servers that do not manage network operations ARE NOT network servers and DO NOT CONTAIN network operating systems
Network Servers are responsible for network management and utilize a common network security database that contains security information (accounts, user names, passwords, rights, permissions, etc. ) for the entire network
advantages of a server based network
Higher level of security
Highly scalable due to (1) use of a common database to store network management information and (2) ability of network operating system software to support large complex networks
Network operating system is programmed to provide a more robust set of security features than other operating systems
Security is more consistent across the entire network since a single security structure (as implemented in the Network Server and NOS) applies to the entire network
Supports a wider range of network based applications due to the ability of NOS to provide more extensive support to these applications
disadvantages of client server based network
Cost of the hardware (network server) and software (network operating system)
Complex to install and maintain
Specialized expertise is required to manage client/server based networks
microsoft term for client server based networks
domain based networks
client processing based application
In a client processing based application, responsibility for processing the data resides with the client
server processing based application
In a server processing based application, responsibility for
processing the data resides with the server
Local Area Network (LAN)
Local area network (LAN) is confined to a relatively small area
The key issue in relation to a LAN is what is a relatively small area? If all of the locations connected via a LAN is in the same building or in a series of buildings on the same private property
(example a college campus), then all of these locations would be on the same LAN.
The issue of what is a LAN is not as clear if the locations in the network are separated by property that is not owned by the organization. In most areas, organizations cannot setup LANs that cross property that the organization does not own. In this situation, the network would actually be a wide area
network.
LANs are generally not subject to
government regulations
Wide Are Network (WAN)
Wide area network (WAN) spans a large area
The determining factor as to whether or not a network is a LAN or a WAN is whether or not the organization can provide its own connection between the location
If an organization is not legally able to connect two locations then the connection between the locations must be provided by a WAN vendor who is authorized to provide these connections
Government regulations at the federal and state levels give organizations such as ATT and Verizon the ability to provide WAN services to customers
