Networking Does Not Require the All Knowing

Networking Does Not Require the "All Knowing"

Now that we have defined some of the general aspects of computer networking, such as clients and servers, I'd like to take a moment to give you a pep talk. Although some incredible minds have worked long and hard on developing the software and hardware that is used to create a computer network, it is not required that you have the collective intelligence of all the network pioneers to be a network administrator.

Being a network administrator is the same as being a bricklayer or a concert pianist. They both understand the basics of their mediumthe brick and the pianobut neither of them could necessarily create a brick or a piano from scratch. However, they both understand the tools of their trade. Even being the administrator for a small network used in a home office will require a knowledge base related to PCs beyond that of the average user .

You will need to understand how computers work and be able to add devices to PCs, such as network interface cards and new hard drives , but you are not necessarily required to build computers from scratch. You are also not required to know all the intricacies of every piece of software running on the network.

Anyone willing to develop a good understanding of computer hardware, networking devices (such as hubs and the various choices for networking media), and network operating systems ( especially the network operating system you will use on your network) can build a solid and usable LAN. Although this book is not going to make you a network expert, it is certainly a good first step as you accumulate the knowledge base that will allow you to create and manage your own networks. Just remember, it's not rocket science, just computer networking. So, fear not and read on.

The Absolute Minimum

In this chapter we had the opportunity to sort out some of the important technology milestones that led to the introduction of the personal computer. We also had an opportunity to define networking and take a look at why you would want to network PCs.

• Strictly speaking, a network is two or more connected computers. The larger the network, the greater the variety of network devices (such as hubs or routers) that will be required to connect the networked computers together.

• Computers can be networked to share resources such as printers and files. Networked computers can also provide a communication medium for network users.

• Mainframes and minicomputers provided a centralized computing model in which all resources are supplied by the mainframe or minicomputer and accessed by users accessing the computer using dumb terminals.

• The IBM PC, launched in August of 1981, began the PC revolution. It became the standard for the desktop business computer.

• Networks are made up of client and server computers. Client computers are used by network users to gain access to the network. Server computers are used to supply the resources that are accessed by the users on the network.

• Network user access to the network and its resources is controlled by the network administrator. The network administrator controls both the access level of the users and the resources that they can access. This ability to control access is provided by the network operating system running on the server.

• Computers process data in parallel, whereas data is moved across the network in serial. The network interface card (NIC) is used to translate data from parallel to serial, and vice versa, and it provides the computer with a connection to the network media.