Intro To Networking
These are my notes on Intro To Networking.
Introduction
A network is two or more computers connected by a cable or a wireless
connection. Computers are networked so they can exchange information. You create
a computer network by hooking together multiple computers. You connect computers
using their network interface.
You need a router to connect to the internet. A switch connects to your router
and your computers at home connect to the switch. A router and switch can be
separate devices or combined into one unit. If you are using a laptop for its
wireless capabilities, you will need an access point also. This can also be
combined into the router.
Terminology
Now for some terminology.
- Lan is the local area network and contains a router, switch, access point,
and devices connected to it. - Wan stands for wide area network. It is a larger network that connects to
the internet. It is between your router and the internet. - Local resource is something in your computer or possibly in your home.
Remote resource is something far away at the internet level.
Benefits Of A Network
There are several benefit sto having a network. These include sharing files,
sharing resources, sharing programs, and sharing messages.
Networks let you share information with other computers on your network. Sharing
files is a common activity. You can do so in many different ways. Sharing
resources means sharing a printer or something similar. There is usually not
enough room or money for everyone to have a nice printer so sharing a single
good one is the way to go. Sharing programs is very common also. There are many
types on software that is shared but accounting software is an example.
Companies usually price it cheaper if you buy a few licenses than if you bought
20 copies of the same piece of software. Lastly, sharing messages has become
very normal. Programs like Slack, Teams, and many others have become integral to
companies communication.
Servers
For a network to function efficiently, some device must act as a Server. A
Server distributes resources and makes them available when needed. It makes
sense for your most powerful computer to be the server. It is best for this
computer to not do anything else. For example, downloading things or playing
games on the server would make no sense because it would use processing power
and hurt your network. On your Server, you should install a server operating
system. This is usually Windows or Linux based.
Parts Of A Network
There are many parts that make up a network. These include the network
interface, network cables, switches, routers, and network software. A network
interface is either a physical port you plug somethign into or a wireless radio
that sends out waves to your laptop. A network cable plus into the special port
on your computer. The other end of this network cable plugs into a network
switch. The network software controls the network information and helps you
manage it.
Configuring Windows
Windows is designed to recognize your network interface. They are all built this
way so you do not have to worry about it. This means that it already contains
the device drivers and knows what to do on its own. If you have a complex
environment, such as in a large business, you may have to configure things
manually.
To change things manually, there are a few steps you would have to take.
- Open up settings
- Click Network and Internet
- Click Ethernet
- Click Adaptor Options
- Right click the Ethernet connection then choose properties and configure
- Click IPv4, then properties, change the settings, thenhit ok
Joining a Domain
Businesses and most non-home networks will be part of a domain. At work, your
network admin will have done this for you. If you are at home and setting up a
network, then this is good to know.
- Open up settings
- Click System
- Click About
- Rename Pc if you want to but it is optional
- Click Join Domain
- Enter Domain name then next then ok.
- Enter username/password for admin account when asked
- Restart computer when it tells you to
Shared Folders
A portion of a network drive you are allowed to access is called a shared
folder. It usually has certail files you can access and work on. The most common
way to access a shared folder is to put a drive letter on it. You can then
access this folder with whatever letter you assigned to it. It is called a
network drive because it uses a network to access data in a shared folder.
Assigning a drive letter to a shared folder is called mapping a drive.
Shared folders can be set up with restrictions on how you can use them. You can
be assigned full access, read only access, or anything in between. I addition to
accessing shared folders, you can set up your own computer as a server so others
can access files on your machine.
A shared network folder is a good place to store files that more than one user
needs access to. Without a network, you have to store a copy of the file on
everyone's computer and figure out a way to keep the file synchronized.
You can also use a shared network folder as an extension of your own hard drive
and store your files there. If your drive is filling up too fast, you could
store some of your files on the network drive you have access to.
Shared folders are a useful way to send files to others. Sending a large Excel
file by email is sometimes impractical, but with a shared folder, you just copy
it there and a peer can copy it to their computer.
Lastly, shared folders are a good place to back up some of your files if you
have a private folder there. It always pays to have an extra copy of your
important files, don't hesitate to use this feature if it is available.
Mapping Network Drives
Mapping a network is a lot like adding a shortcut to the network locaiton you
use a lot. It is a good idea to do if you use that shared folder a lot. To map a
network drive in Windows:
- Open up file explorer
- Right click on This Pc
- Click Map Network Drive
- Choose the letter you want to assign
- Type the folder path or just browse the location
- Click Finish
Network drive letters do not have to be assigned the same way for every computer
on the network. Accessing a shared network folder through a mapped drive is much
faster than accessing the same folder by browsing the network. If you select
"Reconnect at Sign-in" for a mapped drive, but receive a warning message, the
computer might be off.
Network Printers
Using a network printer is similar to using a network drive. You can print to it
from any program using the print command. If others are already printing on it,
you have to wait for their print job to finish. If several users print to the
same network printer, the network has to keep the print jobs separate from one
another. You can have access to many printers at once and these include network
printers and local printers.
Before you can print to a network printer, you have to configure your computer
to be able to use it. This includes where and what it is. If you have access,
you can easily add one:
- Hit the start button and type "printers"
- Select the "Printers and Scanners" option
- Hit the + sign to add a printer
- Select an existing network printer or enter in path/IP address
Many new printers are connected directly to the network. These printers have an
IP address and that is easiest to use when you select "Add printer". Afterwards,
click next and Ok if it asks.
After you install the network printer, printing to it is easy. Use the print
button or command from any Windows program, then just select the network printer
you want to use if it does not come up as the last used printing option.
Logging Off
After you finish for the day, it is a good idea to log off from the network.
This can be a simple log off of Windows or a full shut down of the machine.
Logging off is a good idea if you will be absent from your computer for a while.
In Windows, you can log off the network by clicking the Start button and
choosing the Log Off command.