ERIC SPELLMANN
What’s all this about networks?
- Eric
Spellman explains computer terms (in normal English)
If you've
ever been around a computer geek very long, no doubt you've heard
one of the following terms: network, internet, intranet, LAN, WAN,
client/server, etc. But what do they mean?
Let's start at the very beginning. A ‘network’ is simply two or more
computers connected together so they can communicate. On a typical network,
information and printers can be shared by any of the connected computers.
Two basic types of networks exist: ‘peer-to-peer’ and ‘client/server’.
A peer-to-peer network is the most simple and basic network design. Let's say
you work in a small office with three computers and two printers. You want
everyone in the office to be able to access information on the other computers
and also be able to print on any of the printers. Setting up a small peer-to-peer
network will meet that need.
To do so, you will need to buy a network interface card (sometimes called a
NIC) for each computer. They cost a few pounds (or free with some offers).
Next, visit your local computer store and get some networking cable. Run it
around to each computer, plugging it into the NICs. Windows and Macintosh computers
already come with the software necessary to make the connection.
Decide who needs access to what, grant privileges to different devices and
information, and then sit back.
I know I wasn't too specific on the ‘how tos’, but each operating
system comes with instructions on the actual implementation of the network.
As homeowners buy multiple computers, more and more non-business peer-to-peer
networks are popping up all over the place.
Client/server networks are for larger organisations. If your company has four
or more computers that need to be connected, you might want to consider a client/server
setup. Here's why: Once your peer-to-peer network grows beyond three computers,
much of your mission-critical information begins to migrate to one PC. It just
makes sense. You want all of your important information on one PC so that everyone
can find it and so that it can be backed up more easily. If you have three,
four, or six machines all trying to access one PC, that poor PC will slow down
to unusable levels. Enter, the server!
The server is a normal computer with special software (server software, to
be exact). This software makes it easy and efficient for numerous PCs to simultaneously
access the information on the server. A server usually sits in a cupboard somewhere.
No-one actually sits down and types on it since that would slow it down for
everyone else. A server's job is to simply divvy out information to all the
other PCs, (known as ‘clients’).
If you are interested in setting up a client/server system in your office,
you might want to contract the work out. Configuring server software is not
for the technologically timid. Usually, you will have three choices in server
software: Windows Server (http://www.microsoft.com/server), Novell Netware
(http://www.novell.com), and Unix (http://www.ugu.com). I listed them in order
of ‘ease of use’. If you want to try your hand at administering your
network, go with Microsoft. Only computer gurus should
attempt to use Unix.
Three other terms you need to know: LAN, WAN, and MAN. All three are acronyms.
LAN is short for Local Area Network. Whenever a computer is connected to a
network that consists of computers in one office or building, they are said
to be ‘on the LAN’. WAN is short for Wide Area Network. WANs typically
connect LANs over long distances. For instance, XYZ Corp has offices in Los
Angeles, New York, and Amarillo. Each office has its own LAN. These LANs are
connected to each other to create a WAN.
The term MAN is relatively new. It stands for Metropolitan Area Network. Typically
installed by large cities, MANs connect multiple businesses in an area to foster
electronic commerce.
That leaves us with the last three terms you've probably heard bandied about:
internet, intranet, and the newest one: extranet.
We've all heard of the internet. Essentially, the internet is the largest public
WAN on the planet. Anyone can connect to it. Today, most companies have set
up intranets. A company intranet operates just like its older brother, but
is only accessible by employees of the company. Large corporations are putting
employee handbooks, policy manuals and other resources on their intranets instead
of printing them.
An extranet is simply a multi-company intranet. Sales people and suppliers
might set up extranets with their customers to facilitate product ordering.
These networks exist on the internet but they are only accessible by certain
companies.
Over the next few years, networks will change. Look for data to merge with
video and voice. Your computer, telephone, and TV may one day be the same device.
One final note: All of the vocabulary terms I’ve mentioned are clearly
defined at one of my favourite websites: www.whatis.com.
I'll see you in cyberspace!
- Eric Spellmann is the owner of Spellmann & Associates, a website design and technology training facility in Amarillo, Texas www.EricSpellmann.com
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