Introduction to Networking Flashcards
What is a network?
A network is two or more computers connected by a cable out a wireless radio connection so that they can exchange information
How can you create a simple network?
Connect all the computers in an office together with cables, use the computer’s network interface and adjust some settings in the computer’s operating system
What is a wireless network adapter?
A wireless network adapter is a hardware device that is attached to a computer and allows it to connect to a wireless network. This can be pre-installed in the computer attached to the motherboard or as an external device that is plugged into the computer’s USB port
What is a home router and what does it consist of?
A home router is a central network device that consists of three distinct network devices.
1) Router - Connects your computers to the internet
2) Switch - Allows you to connect two or more computers together with cables
3) Wireless Access Point - Lets you connect computers and other devices to your network without using cables
What is a device on a network referred to as?
An endpoint or node
What four things are networks used for sharing?
Files, resources, programs, and messages
What is a server?
A server is a computer program or device that provides a service to another computer and its user (also known as the client).
The network computer that contains the hard drives, printers, and other resources that are shared with other network computers is a server.
What are the two types of computers on a network
Servers and clients
What is a network interface?
The network interface is a special electronic circuit inside the computer. It has either an external jack into which you can plug in a network cable, or an antenna in the case of a wireless network interface
What is a network cable?
The cable that physically connects the computers together. It plugs into the Network Interface Card (NIC) on the back of your computer. The type of network cable most commonly used is a twister-pair cable
What is a network switch?
A network switch is a box with a bunch of cable connectors. Each computer on a network is connected by cable to the switch. The switch, in turn, connects all the computers to each other. Networks built with twisted-pair cabling require one or more switches
What are the two basic kind of networks?
1) Domain network - typical for large corporate environments that have dedicated servers with IT staff to maintain them
2) Workgroup networks - More common in homes or small offices that don’t have dedicated servers or IT staff
Assigning a drive letter to a shared folder is known as what?
Mapping a drive
List 4 uses for a shared folder
A shared folder can be used to store files that more than one user needs to access.
Store your own files to save your own disk space.
Exchanging files in a temporary resting place (then deleting them off the network drive).
Backing up your local hard drive.
