Living in a Network
Centric World
Network Fundamentals – Chapter 1
computer network
A computer network, or data network, is a digital
telecommunications network which allows nodes to
share resources.
In computer networks, computing devices exchange
data with each other using connections (data links)
between nodes.
These data links are established over cable media
such as wires or optic cables, or wireless media such
as WiFi.
How Networks Impact Daily Life
Explain the benefits of instantaneous communication
and how it supports and improves our lives.
How Networks Impact Daily Life
Describe the characteristics and purpose of popular
communication media such as, IM, Wikis , Blogs,
Podcasting, and Collaboration Tools
–Instant messaging
•Real time communication
between 2 or more
people based on typed text
–Weblogs (Blogs)
•Web pages created
by an individual
–Podcasting
•Website that contains
audio files available
for downloading
How Networks Impact Daily Life
Explain ways that using information networks to share
and collaborate improves teaching and learning
benefits of on Line Learning
Online courseware offer many benefits to
businesses, including the following:
Current and accurate training materials:
Availability of training to a wide audience:
Consistent quality of instruction.
Cost reduction
How Networks Impact Daily Life
Describe ways communication over a network changes
the way we work
Types of Networks
Different companies use different types of networks:
Employees can meet on the Internet, or they can join
a restricted group on a company intranet, which
allows only internal employee access.
Another type of network is an extranet, a type of
network that allows outside vendors special access to
limited information in a company.
How Networks Impact Daily Life
Describe ways communication over a network supports
the way we play
Data Networking Role, Components, and
Challenges
Basic characteristics of communication
–Rules or agreements are 1st established
–Important information may need to be repeated
–Various modes of communication may impact the
effectiveness of getting the message across.
Data Networking Role, Components, and
Challenges
Describe the role of data networking in communications
Data Networking Role, Components, and
Challenges
Describe the various
elements that make up a
network
–Devices
•These are used to
communicate with one
another
–Medium
•This is how the devices
are connected together
–Messages
•Information that travels
over the medium
–Rules
•Governs how messages
flow across network
Data Networking Role, Components, and
Challenges
Describe the role of converged networks in
communications
–Converged network
• A type of network that can carry voice, video & data over
the same network
Network Architecture Characteristics
Explain four characteristics that are addressed by
network architecture design
–Fault tolerance
–Scalability
–Quality of service
–Security
Network Architecture Characteristics
Describe how packet switching helps improve the
resiliency and fault tolerance of the Internet architecture
Network Architecture Characteristics
Describe characteristics of the Internet that help it scale
to meet user demand
–Hierarchical
–Common standards
–Common protocols
Network Architecture Characteristics
Explain the factors that necessitate Quality of Service
and the mechanisms necessary to ensure it
Network Architecture Characteristics
Describe how QoS mechanisms work to ensure quality
of service for applications that require it.
Network Architecture Characteristics
Describe how to select the appropriate QoS strategy for
a given type of traffic
Network Architecture Characteristics
Describe why networks must be secure
Network Architecture Characteristics
Describe basic measures to secure data networks
–Ensure confidentiality through use of
•User authentication
•Data encryption
–Maintain communication integrity through use of
•Digital signatures
–Ensure availability through use of
•Firewalls
•Redundant network
architecture
•Hardware without a single
point of failure
Summary
