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Basic
Networking
A
network is a group of computers, printers, and other devices
that are connected together with cables. Information travels
over the cables, allowing network users to exchange
documents & data with each other, print to the same
printers, and generally share any hardware or software that
is connected to the network.
Each computer, printer, or other peripheral device that is
connected to the network is called a node. Networks can have
tens, thousands, or even millions of nodes.
Like most things, networks are are assembled according to
certain rules. Cabling, for example, has to be a certain
length, each cabling strand can only support a certain
amount of network traffic, etc.
The rules that govern how a network is set up is called its
topology. The most popular topology in use today is called
Ethernet, which consists of computers and peripherals cabled
together in specific ways. Ethernet is relatively
inexpensive, easy to set up and use, and very, very fast.
Ethernet networks are categorized by how fast they can move
information. Speed is expressed in megabits per second (or
Mbps), where one "bit" is equal to 1/8th of a character,
letter, or number.
There are currently two Ethernet speed categories. Standard
Ethernet operates at a fast 10Mbps, which is quick enough
for most networking tasks. Fast Ethernet, by contrast, races
along at a blistering 100Mbps, making it ideal for desktop
video, multimedia, and other speed-hungry applications. The
new technology behind Fast Ethernet, which was introduced in
the beginning of 1995, is not readily compatible with
standard Ethernet.
Making
the two "talk" with each other requires special equipment
and some knowledge of internetworking. If you're building
your first network, decide whether to go with standard or
Fast Ethernet before you begin shopping around for network
hardware and software. Unless you plan on using video,
multimedia, or heavy graphics software, plan on using
standard Ethernet.
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