10.02.00
I myself have seen how quickly a network can grow. Here at iEntry,
just a short six months ago when I began my tenure, we were
working from six computers linked together as a peer-to-peer network.
Now we have grown to above thirty computers, and with this growth
has come many changes. Not only have we implemented a server but we
are also in the process of migrating all of our systems to a Windows
2000 Server.
On another note, it seems that a few of our readers didn't like the
fact that I was advocating Windows, but as I said that is where my
expertise lies and you know what they say, "write about what you
know". Now for my challenge, if you think the same as one reader who
was upset about how I was praising "arch criminal Bill Gates" and his
Microsoft Software, then write an article and send it to me. You can
write about any operating system you like, as long as it is dealing
with networking. I want you to make me see the error of my ways, show
me that using OS X or Linux are better operating systems to use for a
network.
In today's NetworkNewz, we will take a step back and begin at the
basics. I will start a series of articles on how to design and
build a network for your small business or home.
Patrick Stoddard
NetworkNewz Editor
A network, in its simplest form, is two computers grouped together
and linked to share resources. A resource can be a printer, Internet
connection or files on one of the computers.
The two most common types of networks are Local-Area Networks (LAN's)
and Wide-Area Networks (WAN's). Today's article is going to focus on
the former, but first, a little information on just how a network is
categorized.
There are three major properties that are used to categorize a
network, they are: Topology, Protocol and Architecture. The Topology
of a network is signified by the geometric arrangement of the
network. A few common topologies are the bus, ring and star. The
protocol specifies a common set of rules and signals that your
computers will use to communicate across your network. The
architecture of your network refers to being either a peer-to-peer
or a client/server. A peer-to-peer network is one that has no server
and the computers are connected to each other in a workgroup. Whereas
with a client/server architecture, there is usually a central computer
called a server, which all the other computers use as a controller for
purposes such as: logon, print server and a centrally-routed access
for an Internet connection.
