Good Stuff Happens in 1:1 Meetings: Why you need them and how to do them well
Computer network
1.
2. Network Interface Card (NIC) - The best means of
connecting a computer to a network is through a
Network Interface Card (NIC). A NIC will allow a
computer to send and receive electrical or radio signals
in a manner that other computers can understand. Most
modern computers come with Ethernet NICs installed by
default. Laptops usually even come with wireless NICs. If
your computer does not already have a NIC, you can
purchase one from your local computer supply store.
Before you buy a NIC, make sure you have decided
whether you are going to create a wireless or Ethernet
network.
Hub - In order to connect more than two computers together, a device that
distributes packets, or blocks of data, must be used. A hub is the most basic of
these devices. When a computer connected to a network makes a request for
data from another computer, that request will be sent to the hub. The hub will
then send that request to every computer it is connected to, including the
originating computer. Most of the computers on the network will ignore the
request. The computer that the request is being sent to will accept the data
packet and send out a reply packet. The reply packet will then be sent to every
computer by the hub. One problem with hubs is that they often cause
collisions between packets. As a result, data is lost in transmission and must
be re-sent.
3. Switch A switch is a device that
distributes packets, or blocks of data,
between computers in a network.
Switches function in a similar fashion to
hubs, but are much more efficient. A
switch can send a packet directly to a
specific destination, instead of sending it
to every computer in a network.
Router - A router is a device that joins two different networks
together. Home networks usually employ routers to connect
to the Internet. The majority of routers contain a switch
within them so that all of the computers on a network can
communicate.
Ethernet Cable - To set up a wired network, Ethernet
cables are needed that allow the transmission of
data from one networked device to another.
Category 5 (Cat 5) cable is one of the most common
types of Ethernet cable. When connecting computers
to a network, one end of the Cat 5 cable is plugged
into the computer’s NIC and the other is plugged into
the hub, switch, or router.
