Understanding Networks

Thane Terrill, Ed.D.

  • I. The Digital Age:

  • A. What is "digital"?
  • B. How is it superior to previous forms of communication?
  • C. Where is technology taking us?

  • II. Overview of a Computer Network:

  • A. Components of a Computer:
  • B. Components of a File Server:
  • C. Common Network Peripherals:

  • 1. scanners
  • 2. optical jukeboxes
  • 3. CD players
  • 4. fax/modems

  • D. Desktop Operating Systems:

  • 1. DOS
  • 2. Mac OS
  • 3. Windows/Windows 95
  • 4. Windows NT (workstation)
  • 5. UNIX
  • 6. OS/2

  • E. Network Operating Systems:

  • 1. Netware
  • 2. UNIX
  • 3. Windows NT (advanced server)
  • 4. Windows for Workgroups
  • 5. Lantastic
  • 6. "Open" Vs "Proprietary" systems

  • F. Communication Standards:

  • 1. Ethernet (regular and "fast")
  • 2. FDDI
  • 3. ATM
  • 4. SNA
  • 5. APPN
  • 6. IPX
  • 7. TCP/IP

  • III. Security Concerns:

  • A. Physical Security
  • B. Virus Protection
  • C. Firewalls
  • D. Encryption

  • IV. Dealing with Computer Professionals:

  • A. Know the bias of the vendor! Computing is a religion to many.
  • B. Determine where the profit is for the vendor
  • C. Avoid multiple suppliers (end the finger pointing game before it starts)
  • D. Get multiple estimates and check references

    • This page is maintained by Thane B. Terrill (tterrill@bic.org) using HTML Author. Last modified on 09/26/95.