| So what is computer networking? To the | | | | hub. The hub then transfers the data to your |
| uninitiated this term may sound intimidating | | | | father's computer. If each of the units uses |
| but you may have already come across it or | | | | the same protocol then the information is |
| have even used it either at work or at home. | | | | accepted by your dad's computer and he will |
| For those new to computer networking, simply | | | | be able to open the file you just sent. There |
| put, a network refers to a system where two | | | | are two types of networks: the LAN or local |
| or more computers are connected to each | | | | area network and the WAN or wide area |
| other. This is done so people can share | | | | network. The LAN is a very simple type of |
| things like information or computer hardware, | | | | network where all the units you connect are |
| like a printer for instance. Now there are | | | | located in one place. There are two types of |
| several things you need to set up a computer | | | | LAN, peer to peer and client server. A peer |
| network. The most basic system consists of a | | | | to peer network is where two or more |
| protocol, NICs or network interface cards, | | | | computers are connected to each other |
| cable and a hub. A protocol is a set of rules | | | | directly. For example, computer 1 is |
| that the computers have to follow in order | | | | connected to computer 2, computer 2 is |
| for them to "speak the same language". For | | | | connected to computer 3 and so on. The |
| example, http is a protocol. If you want to | | | | computers are dependent on each other so if |
| be able to access a website from your | | | | one unit experiences problems, the others |
| computer that operates on http, the website | | | | simply won't be able to connect to each |
| you are accessing must also operate on the | | | | other. The client server type is where all |
| same protocol otherwise you won' be able to | | | | computers are connected to a main unit. This |
| read the site. NICs are cards that you put at | | | | is more convenient because if one computer |
| the back or side of a computer. This allows | | | | has problems, the others won't be affected. |
| the computers to communicate with each other. | | | | You will still be able to exchange data. An |
| A cable is simply a wire that connects the | | | | example of a WAN is the internet. As you can |
| computers together and the hub is a device | | | | see, this is a very large type of network |
| that controls traffic, for example, | | | | allowing millions of users to connect with |
| information that one computer sends to | | | | each other. More and more people are looking |
| another. Now this is a list of items for a | | | | to computer networking, even at home. This |
| standard network. You're going to need a | | | | affords people more convenience and makes day |
| different set of devices if you are to go for | | | | to day life more efficient. |
| wireless networking. How does a computer | | | | |
| network work? Let's say for instance, you | | | | Networking hardware such as Server Cabinets |
| want to send information from your desktop to | | | | is available from Comm-Store.co.uk and |
| your father's computer. The NIC on your PC | | | | Computer Support is available directly from |
| transfers the file through the cable into the | | | | Dolphinpromotions.co. |