English Comp
English Comp
True
False.
A combination of several programs sold as one package.
Integrated software.
Standalone software.
Productivity suits.
All of the above.
A set of programs that manage and coordinate computer resources
Backup utility
Operation system
Word processing
File management
Storage type that stores files online on a remote server is called:
Cloud storages
External Storages
Internal storages
Magnetic storages
The component that holds and maintains data in computer:
Storage device
Storage media
Processor
Motherboard
Read Only device describes the device that can only read data without
changing it:
True
False
Upgrade is the process of fixing problems and errors in a program:
True
False
Specific Application is another description for the vertical application:
True
False
One of the following does not belong to the list:
PIT
Platter
LAND
Optical
Bander needs to reduce file size, he shall use
Program utility
Compression utility
Driver utility
Backup utility
Smartphone is a telephone with computing capabilities:
True
False
One of the following does not belong to the list:
Ms. Office
Adobe suite
Corl word perfect office
Paint
The number of layers that CD has
2 layers
5 layers
3 layers
4 layers
Mobile contains 2 operating systems that deal with software and other
support the hardware
True
False
The result of processing is called:
Data
Processor
Information
Storage
A set of programs that manage and coordinate computer resources
Backup utility
Operating system
Word processing
File management
One of the following is not an organization computer:
Server
Super Computer
Tablet
Mainframe
The slowest storage solution is:
Hard drive
Solid-state Drive
Tape Drive
20 Tera RAM
To do a task, the processor uses the data that is stored on:
SSD
HDD
RAM
CD
RAM is not volatile memory:
True
False
This Value -11001- on a CD is mapped as:
Red
Pit-Pit-Land-Land-Pit
Land-Land-Pit-Pit-Land
Blue
Before playing the sound via speakers, it has to get converted into:
Digital
VRAM
Analog
RAMV
Printers with hammers that strike on a ribbon to leave the ink on paper:
Laser printer
None impact printer
Inkjet printer
Impact printer
Ali installs software that he can use only for 30 days free, this software is
mostly a:
Commercial software
Freeware software
Shareware software
All the above
Your personal computer operating system represents:
Real-time OS
Single user-single task OS
Single user-multi task OS
Multi-users OS
In computers, colors are represented as:
GBR
RGB
BGR
RGG
Program that is used to copy computer contents to another media:
Program utility
Compression utility
Driver utility
Backup utility
00FF00 hexadecimal represents:
Pure Blue
Pure Red
White
Pure Green
One of the following is not correct about Hard disk:
Random access
Read-only
Read and write
Magnetic
Computer saves data and information only permanently:
True
False
Ali just bought the “Smart-Draw” application to use in only on one PC, he
obtained:
Single-seat license
Site license
Volume license
None of the above
One of the following operation systems comes with an optional GUI:
Windows 98
IOS
Android
Linux
A set of chips that act as a temporary workspace in the computer:
Memory
CD
Hard drive
Mother Board
Productivity suits are the best solution to save you the hassle of buying
several applications separately:
True
False
ROM stands for:
Random Only Memory
Read-Only Memory
Random Optical Memory
Read Optical Memory
____________used o input text by speaking into a microphone:
Command
Stylus
Speech-recognition software
Handwriting-recognition software
RAM loses its contents when the power is off
True
False
Each track is divided into segments, that’s called:
Sectors
Sections
Cylinders
Platters
Computer represent texts using ASCII or Unicode:
True
False
Ahmed installed a creative common application called “Jamx” that’s mean he
can use all “Jamx” application features for free:
True
False
Saud Wants to install SUMADI, According to this requirement can Saudi install
it on his 40 SSD, Windows 10 and 265 RAM pc:
• Windows 8 or above.
• Microsoft office.
• 40 GB SSD
• 128 RAM
Yes, he can.
No, he can’t.
Video capture card converts video images into digital and compress it:
True
False
Software documentation can help in:
Make an application vertical
Troubleshoot problems
Obtain a site license
Create a new version
Bander just connects a new scanner to his PC, he shall run:
Compression utility
Driver utility
Backup utility
Program utility
One of the following does not belong to the list:
Windows 10
Unix
Excel
Disk clean up tool
The numbering system that is used usually to represent colors in computers
is:
Binary
Decimal
Octal
Hexadecimal
SEU bought AcadmyBoost so all the employees can use it on their computers,
SEU mostly applied for:
Single-seat license
Site license
Single-user license
None of the above
One of the following does not belong to the list:
CPU
Keyboard
Scanner
Printer
One of the following is an impact printer:
Laser printer
Dot matrix printer
Inkjet printer
All of the above
The second operation in computer-using life cycle is:
Input
Storage
Processing
Output
Modern video adapter contains extra processor called GPU:
True
False
The storage device that can read any saved data and modify it is called:
Read only device
Read and write device
Sequential device
Random device
To check he hard disk status and discover bad sectors, you need to run:
Disk cleaner
Disk scanner
Disk defragmenter
Disk format
The best description for multi-user system OS:
Allow the computer to perform several jobs at the same time for one user
Let one person do one task at a time
Allow many individuals to use one large computer
Used at home mostly
In magnetic disks, data is organized on the platter in concentric sets of rings
that’s called:
Points
Tracks
Head
Block
One of the following is a sequential device:
Hard drive
Solid-state drive
Tape drive
CD
The type of operating system type that commonly installed on servers as UNIX
Real – time OS
Single user-single task OS
Single user – multiple task OS
Multi – users OS
The storage device that read the needed information directly without
searching the entire storage media is
Sequential device
Random access device
Magnetic device
Optical device
Sarah installs software that she can use only for 16 days free , this software is
mostly a
Commercial software
Freeware software
Shareware software
All the above
Freeware applications and creative common are the same as they give the
whole application for the user for free
True
False
Norah installed a public domain application “Easynath” that’s mean she can
alter and change the “Easymath” application source code
True
False
The power option that copies data from the RAM to the hard disk is
Hibernate
Restart
Stand by
Format
Productivity suite and integrated software are the same as they combine
several full- features programs in one package
True
False
Sarah wants to remove an application from her PC, she shall run
Driver utility
Backup utility
Compression utility
Program utility
Which one is not input device?
Keyboard
Mouse
Speaker
Scanner
Web applications are very useful and they do not need to be installed on the
computer:
True
False
Sarah just bought the “ funny – draw “ application to use it only one PC , she
obtained now
Volume license
Site license
Single-seat license
None of the above
Most scanner have a software that convert printed text into a digital text file
called:
OCR
CPU
CRT
LCD
What Is a Network?
A ne5t8work is a group or system of connected things. A computer network, which may be called a data
network , is two or more computing devices connected to each other so they can share data, devices, and
other resources. A network may be small, with just a few computers, or it maybe large, with thousands of
connected devices.
Home and many business networks are usually local area networks (LANs) . A LAN is a net- work in
which all the workstations and other equipment are near one another. Most home networksare set up so
family members can access the internet from different devices, such as a tablet,
smartphone, laptop, and even the television. Each device can connect to every other device on thenetwork.
called the server, provides information and management services to the workstation computers,which are
A wide area network (WAN) connects computers and other resources that are far apart. A business
with offices in many places can use a WAN to link its LANs in different cities. Then, users from any of
the locations can, with the proper permissions, access the network.
The internet is a worldwide network of computers connected to each other using wiring such as twisted pair
telephone lines, coaxial cable, or fiber-optic cable, and wireless transmitters such as microwave, radio, or
infrared signals. Communication on the internet depends on all connected de-vices using software called
Internet service providers maintain the physical wiring for connecting to the internet. They installthe
For wired internet access, you physically connect the computing device using an Ethernetcable.
For wireless internet access, you must have a wireless-enabled device such as a modemor router that is
physically connected to the internet, usually with an Ethernet cable. Thatdevice, or access point, then
transmits the signals to devices that have a wireless networkadapter or built-in radio transmitters and
Originally, modems were used to send computer data over telephone lines so computers
could access the internet through dial-up. Modern modems can send information through cable,
satellite, or DSL. The modem converts the data from analog format to the digital format a computercan
understand, and then back to analog so it can be transmitted. Modem speed is measured in bits per second
(bps) , which is the amount of data that can be sent in one second. Routers for- ward data from one source
to another, such as between two computers or between a computer and the internet.
For internet access, a router is connected to a modem, usually using an Ethernet cable. The mo-dem
connects to an internet provider and the router directs the flow of data between the internet and computers.
NETWORK INTERFACE Cards Some computers are designed with the ability to connect to net- works.
Others need a network interface card (NIC) , which handles the flow of data to and fromthe computer in
both wired and wireless networks. If the network is put together by actual cables,those cables connect to the
NIC. NICs often have a light that blinks green and amber to alert you to activity it’s experiencing
BANDWIDTH Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be sent through a modem or network connection. The
more bandwidth, the faster the connection. It is usually measured in bits per second (bps) or in megabits
per second (Mbps). The more bandwidth, the more information can be transferred in a given amount of time.
If you are online watching a movie on a tablet, while some- one else in your family is online researching a
topic for a report, and someone else is using IM tocommunicate with friends, you may notice a drop in
speed or interruption in a download. That’s beca5u9se all the devices require a lot of bandwidth, but there is
BROADBAND Broadband is the general term for all high-speed digital connections that trans- mit at least
1.5 megabits per second (Mbps), though current broadband services usually transmit between 10 and 30
Mbps. Many factors influence actual transmission speed, including the quality of the hardware de- vices, the
distance from the modem or router, and the number of people using the service at the
same time.
IP Addresses
Each device that connects to the internet has to be uniquely identified. To do this, every computeris
assigned a four-part number separated by periods called the internet protocol (IP) address .For example,
the IP address for your computer might be [Link]. Any device with an IP ad- dress can communicate
with any other device with an IP address over the internet. An IP address is usually automatically assigned
by a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. You can locate your computer’s IP address
and connection speed in the Network and Sharing Center in Windows and in the Network Utility on
macOS.
Network Security
network, thereare no barriers to access and anyone within the network can access
UNSECURED NETWORKS These networks allow for free flow of information but leave little protection
from hacking for the individual computers. They may be called public networks, although your home
network may also be unsecured. An unsecured wireless network can be accessed by any- one within range
of the wireless signal. It does not require a login or password and does not use encryption to protect data.
Your neighbor may be able to access your unsecured Wi-Fi network. Someone outside your building might
be able to read files, or access email, thereby learning personal information. Connecting to an unsecured
SECURED NETWORKS Secured networks limit access and protect the computers and users. One way
secured networks prevent unauthorized access is by requiring users to enter an ID and password. Another
way is by using a firewall. You can secure a wireless network by using an encryption protocol such as
On a Windows computer, secure wireless connections are identified on the Internet Access [Link] the
Internet Access icon in the notification area of the taskbar. The word secured displays below all secured
connections.
VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKS A virtual private network (VPN) is a private, secure network set up
through a public network. VPN users connect to an internet service provider (ISP) to access the private network
with a user name and password. VPNs are a more secure way to log into a private network from a
computer on a public network. They are often used by employees working remotely who need access
from entering a network. Firewalls are usually located on a gateway, such as a routerthat lets a network
access the internet. From that location the firewall can examine the packets trying to get into the network
and determine whether or not to let them through. Some firewalls arebuilt into a computer’s operating
can control what the firewall blocks and what it lets through by maintaining lists of allowed orblocked
Public computers are available in public places for anyone to use. You might find them in hotel lobbies or
coffee shops. They are usually connected to unsecured or public networks. When youuse the computers
in your local library, you are using a public computer that other people use, too, putting your privacy at
risk. The computers in your school or home, however, are private and usually require an ID and
When you visit a website, your browser saves information about the site to your computer. Storedinformation
includes cache , cookies , browser history , and even passwords. Storing this information helps web
pages load faster when you visit the same site again, or saves you the trouble of reentering a password.
cache or browser history and know which websites you visited. Cookies and saved password filescan
disclose your passwords or other private information you have typed into web forms.
To protect your information you can delete the cache, cookies, browser history, saved passwords,saved web
form information, and other saved browser files. You should do this any time you use a public computer,
and periodically on your own computer. If your computer ends up in the wrong hands, your private
information will not be as easily available. You should also log out of any web- sites or operating system
accounts before closing or exiting the computer. If you fail to log out, thenext person to use the computer has
access to all the files and information associated with your account.
Electronic Commerce
conduct business. Thanks to the internet and affordable computers, e-commerce has be-
come accessible to anyone who has an internet connection and a web browser. More and more internet users
are researching products, shopping, opening bank accounts, and trading stocks on-line. Many businesses
realize that they may lose customers if they do not have an online
presence.
ONLINE SHOPPING When many people think of e-commerce, they think of shopping online.
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Online shopping has grown in popularity due to security features built into popular web browsers. Every
year, online shopping gains in popularity, resulting in the closing of many actual stores and shopping malls.
A savvy e-commerce consumer knows how to use the power of the internet to research products and
compare prices before buying. The buyer also knows how to make sure he or she is using a reputable
website that will deliver the correct product in a timely manner. At many sites, buyers
can read product reviews posted by other buyers. At other sites, they can find vendor and product ratings.
Savvy e-commerce consumers also know not to give out personal or payment information without knowing
SECURE ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS One of the keys to the growth of e-commerce is secureelectronic
transactions. Originally a standard that relied on digital signatures, secure electronic transaction now refers to
so customers can bank and shop online without worrying that their private information will be mis-used, lost,
information. That means your personal information, including debit card numbers and personal
identification numbers (PINs), are safe when you shop online. You can tell that you are
viewing a secure website because the letters “https” display to the left of the website name in the Address
bar of your browser. On an unsecured site, there is no “s.” Also, a small lock icon dis- plays in your web
browser’s status bar. You can double-click the lock icon to display details aboutthe site’s security system.
Online payment systems, such as PayPal, Google Wallet, or Apple Pay, let you avoid repeatedlyentering your
credit card number and other personal data when making transactions online. To usePayPal, or any other
secure online payment service, you sign up directly and provide your payment information only once. The
service keeps your records secure and handles payments to on- line vendors for you, using only secure
method.
People often confuse the terms “analog” and “digital” when they are talking about communicationsor
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In analog communications, sounds such as a person’s voice or music start as waves or vibrations in the
air. The vibrating air varies in frequency or pitch, which is how high or deep the sound is, as well as
strength or loudness. A small microphone in the telephone con- verts the sound waves into varying
of electrical signals or radio waves is similar to the pattern of the sound waves. These signals are converted
back into sound waves by a small loudspeaker in the receiver.
In digital communications, sounds are converted into binary data (a series of 1s and 0s) at the caller’s end.
The stream of 1s and 0s is transmitted without any variation in the patternof electrical or radio waves. The
Cellular phones use radio waves for transmission. For homes that have landlines, wires connect the phone
jack in the wall to an interface box outside. Outside wires may be above or below ground. Wires also
connect the local loop with distant places. The connection from the phone tothe wires may be made at a
phone jack, or it may be to a cable modem . The cable modem isusually the same modem that
connects to broadband internet service. Broadband is high-capacity transmission that enables a large
simultaneously.
Traditional hard-wired landline phone services use twisted copper wires as the core of the cables that
transmit the voice information, but newer, higher-quality systems, such as coaxial and fiber- optic cable,
TWISTED PAIR At first, the entire telephone system depended on twisted pair technology.
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Twisted pair refers to a pair of copper wires that are twisted together to reduce interference, or outside
noise. In the U.S. today, most homes and business buildings still have twisted pair wiring.
Twisted pair wiring can be either shielded (STP) or unshielded (UTP). Twisted pairs may beshielded to
COAXIAL Another type of copper cable is called coaxial . A coaxial cable, or coax, is a tradi- tional analog
wire used to transmit cable television. These copper wires connect a cable in the home to a neighborhood
node, and from there to the service provider. The cable modem sends andreceives an electrical signal over
the wires.
transmit digital data by pulses of light. These cables can carry large quantities of
information. They work faster and more efficiently than copper wires. As they
copper completely.
3G AND 4G Wireless communication frees users from traditional telephone lines. Messages are sent on
radio or infrared signals. Cell phones use radio signals. Cell phone networks are usually referred to as 3G
(short for third generation) or 4G (for fourth generation). These are referencesto the mobile
WI-FI Wi-Fi networks use radio signals to connect computers. If a cell phone has a Wi-Fi adapter, it can
transmit calls and provide other services using the internet. Wi-Fi makes cellular
calls possible in areas that have internet access but are out of range of cell towers. Access to theinternet
through wireless networks also allows smartphones to run online apps, including text messages, video calling,
SATELLITES A satellite telephone, or sat phone , transmits signals using communications satellites
orbiting Earth. The caller phone transmits a signal to a satellite, which sends the signal to aland-based
center, which then sends the signal to the receiving phone. The receiving phone can bea landline, a cell
phone, or another satellite phone. Because satellite phones do not rely on cell towers, they are useful in
For more than 100 years, telephone service was provided only by telephone companies. The
Now, satellite companies, cable television companies, and businesses offering wireless
competition has created new, affordable methods for transferring voice, video, and data.
People are no longer bound to a single choice for their telecommunications needs. Think of the different
choices available to consumers at home and at work for sending and receiving voice, text, and images
quickly and reliably. In addition to analog phones and DSL services, choices include:
• Cable systems
• Wireless networks
Using Modems
508 A device called a modem makes it possible for your computer and telephone lines to communi-cate, and
for your computer and TV cables to communicate. Your computer is a digital device. Thelocal loop that
connects you to the telephone system is analog. The word modem actually namesthe work the device
changes the digital signal of the computer to the analog sounds used by telephones. Then, the data—in the
form of pictures, audio, or video—can travel over the telephone wires. When the datagets to its destination,
the receiving modem changes the analog signals back to digital. This
process is called demodulation . Modem speed is measured in bits per second (bps) , whichis the amount of
DIAL-UP CONNECTIONS Back in the early 1990s, most people used phone lines and a device
called a dial-up modem to connect to the internet for data transmission. The basic process
forconnecting via a dial-up modem is the same as for a cable or standard modem. You
data packets between computer networks. This device connects to the modem. The
difference is that you use a telephone to dial a phone number for an internet service
provider. Once the connection is established, the modem encodes and decodes the audio
Today, fewer than 10% of U.S. households connect to the computer using the local phone line loop, and
they are generally located in rural areas where there is no other option. One problem with using dial-up is
that you cannot be on your computer and use your telephone simultaneously,so the computer modem
requires a dedicated phone line. Another drawback is slow speed. Dial- up modems can only transmit
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to send and receive messages over the telephone. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology allows
you to have a telephone connection over the internet. VoIP uses data sent digitally, with the Internet
Protocol (IP), instead of analog telephone lines. People use VoIP totalk to each other from across the globe,
sometimes for free. Most VoIP applications, such as skype and facetime, integrate cameras so callers can see
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Working with Broadband Transmission
Broadband is the general term for all high-speed digital connections that transmit at least 1.5
megabits per second (Mbps). Broadband technology is able to send multiple signals at the same
time. Several broadband technologies are available, including Digital Subscriber Line, cable,
Fixed broadband refers to wired networks, such as fiber optic and Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL), which are used for television and internet access.
Mobile broadband refers to networks like 3G and 4G, which are used by cellular
Broadband transmission speed is affected by distance from the local telephone switching station,
condition of the wiring and other equipment, and the number of people using the service.
Generally speaking, a fixed broadband download speed of at least 10 Mbps is fast enough for
someone to stream a high-definition video while someone else in the house is surfing the
internet. In 2017, the average broad-band download speed in the U.S. was about 55 Mbps; the
average upload speed was just under 23 Mbps. The average mobile download speed in 2017 in
the U.S. was about 22 Mbps and the average upload speed was about 8.5 Mbps.
DSL One of the most common fixed broadband services is Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) . DSL
uses the same copper wires telephones use, but transmits data in digi tal form rather than analog.
Voice calls and DSL can exist simultaneously on copper lines, because each service has its own
frequency band.
DSL allows for very fast connections to the internet and features an “always-on” connection. DSL
service also requires a modem, which translates the computer’s digital signals into voltage sent
across phone lines to a central hub. There is one drawback to DSL: A user must be within a
Different companies offer DSL at different levels of service and price. There are also two basic
types: asymmetric DSL (ADSL) , which has faster download speeds than upload speeds, and
symmetric DSL (SDSL) , which can send and receive data at the same speed. ADSL is more
common. SDSL is generally used by businesses, while ADSL is used in private homes and
businesses.
SONET Telephone companies that offer DSL and other internet connection methods rely on a
digital network called SONET . SONET stands for Synchronous Optical Network. It uses fiber optics
If your family has cable television, the cable that provides your favorite television shows
probably also lets you connect to the internet and make landline-based tele-phone
service, you need a cable modem . Like analog modems, cable modems can be in- ternal
or external. A cable modem connects your computer to the local cable TV lineand
supports data transfer rates of up to 30 Mbps—over 500 times faster than the old dial-up
modem. However, this number can be misleading because most internet service providers
(ISPs) cap subscribers’ transfer rates to less than 6 Mbps to conserve bandwidth.
Cable modems download the signal from the internet and upload data to the inter- net.
Not all cable modems allow two-way communication and some two-way communications
work at different speeds. For example, downloading information may be faster than
uploading. Cable modems also require an analog phone line and an analog modem.
If you have satellite television, your family subscribes to a digital satellite system called a
Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service. Satellites receive signals from a central broadcast
center and then rebroadcast them around the globe. Most DBS systems also offer internet
access and data transfer services, but do not transmit telephone calls. Because satellites
can only transmit data to a subscriber, a modem and telephone line are needed to send
Recall that bandwidth is the amount of data that can be sent through a modem or network
connection. The more bandwidth, the faster the connection. It is usually measured in bits
per second (bps) or in megabits per second (Mbps). The more bandwidth, the more
information can be transferred in a given amount of time. If you are online watching a
movie on a tablet while someone else in your family is on- line researching a topic for a
report, and someone else is using IM to communicate with friends, you may notice a drop in
speed or interruption in a download. That’s because each device requires a lot of bandwidth,
The demand for bandwidth is always growing. People want increased bandwidth for
video streaming, VoIP calls, web-based conferences, and online learning. Some ways
companies are addressing the demand is to make more bandwidth available using
Recall that a network is a group or system of connected things. A computer net- work,
which may be called a data network , is two or more computing devices connected to
each other so they can share data, devices, and other resources.
Networks allow users to share files and programs, as well as printers and other
equipment. They allow people to work together and to access the internet. A net- work
may be small, with just a few connected devices, or it may be large, with thou- sands. The
technology functions the same way, no matter how many devices are connected.
communicate with the network. This requires establishing the physical connection using
physical media . The medium can be any type of telecommunications connector: twisted
pair telephone lines, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, or a microwave, radio, or infrared
system. Working together, the network media and the computing device determine how
NETWORK INTERFACE CARDS Some computing devices are designed with the ability to
connect to networks. Others need a network interface card (NIC) , which handles the
flow of data to and from the device in both wired and wireless net- works. If the network
is put together by actual cables, those cables connect to the NIC. NICs often have a light
that blinks green and amber to alert you to any activity it may be experiencing. If the
network is wireless, the NIC is usually built in to the device, such as a phone, tablet, or
laptop. There are also standalone wireless net- work interface cards that can connect
WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS Even wireless networks require physical media. In addition to
a wireless NIC in the device, the network needs a wireless transmitter, or hub, called a
wireless access point (WAP) . The WAP is the central transmitter for sending and
receiving wireless signals. It may be built in to the wireless router, or it may be a separate
If you have more than one computing device at home, you probably identify them by each
user’s name—your laptop, Mom’s tablet, and so on. In businesses, schools, and other
organizations, a network is usually organized into workstations, each with its own name
and address. In both home and larger networks, pieces of equipment connected together
It is often set up with the same operating system, applications, and access to resources as the
other computers in the network. In a large network, a workstation may also be called a
node by the people who take care of the network. A node is anything connected to the
network that can receive, create, store, or send data along distributed network routes. A
gateway is a node on your network that enables communication with other networks,
such as the router on a home network that lets you connect to the internet.
Smartphones, tablets, and other devices equip-ped for networking can be part of a
network.
at a terminal , which usually includes a keyboard, a monitor, and a pointing device, such as
a mouse. A terminal can feel as if the computer is local, but it’s not. Users are actually
sharing time on a central computer, with their own work dis- played on their terminal’s
monitor.
Ensuring Communication
Once a network is created, the computers and other connected equipment can
traffic . Network traffic is the electronic pulses of information sent by the network cards to
carry data through the network wires to its destination. Specifically, computers
A protocol sets a standard format for data and rules for handling it. There are many
different protocols available to use on networks. For computers to speak with one
A proprietary protocol , however, is not open to everyone. Instead, only people who buy
certain equipment, services, or computers can use it. Some personal digital assistants, digital
cameras, and even dial-up internet services use proprietary proto- cols. Overall, however,
open protocols are more common. Both manufacturers and consumers benefit from open
determines how the network operates. For example, TCP/IP is not just one network
language, but many smaller ones. Each small protocol in this suite has a specific job to
do in a specific order. Working together, protocols allow computers to communicate.
Everyone on a network has the ability to access programs and data stored anywhereon
the network. You might use an application like Google Docs, which is stored on a
network rather than on your own computer, or you might print a document on a printer
that is located on a different floor than your computer. Of course, for security, you can
specify sharing levels for folders and files to control who can access
the stored data. Publicly shared folders allow anyone access. Shared folders may be
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shared only with authorized users. Sometimes shared folders are accessed using
shared links. That means you send a link to someone to allow them to access thefolder.
Networks also let people work together in new and exciting ways. People on a net- work
Synergy is the effect a group effort can create. People working together on a net- work
can sometimes accomplish more than people working alone on unconnected computers.
Using a Network
The steps you use to access network resources are basically the same as those you use to
work on your own computer. Your actions may seem simple enough, but be- hind the
scenes, the network’s hardware and software are performing complex tasks.
Some tasks you can accomplish using a network include:
• Videoconferencing Exchanging
Introducing LANs
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A school lab with its ten computers networked together is an example of a local area network
(LAN) . A LAN is a network in which all the workstations and other equipment are near one another.
LANs can be set up in any defined area, such as ahome, a school, an office building, or even a
cluster of shops.
A LAN can have just a few or several hundred users. Small or large, a LAN lets itsmembers share
equipment and information, resulting in lower costs. Some of the key functions that benefit LAN
users include sharing files, using collaborative soft- ware, and sharing peripherals.
SHARING FILES Through a computer’s operating system, people connected to a LAN can participate
in file sharing . File sharing is making files available to more than one user on the network. The file
is stored on a network server so anyone withpermission rights may access the file from any location.
USING COLLABORATIVE SOFTWARE Collaborative software enables the net-work to help people work
together more closely. With collaborative software, users can share calendars, work on a document
together, or even hold meetings through the network. Collaborative software is also called groupware
SHARING PERIPHERALS In addition to sharing files and software, a LAN allows users to access
remote resources , such as printers, fax machines, or any other equipment, that is not connected
Your peers are your equals. In a peer-to-peer (P2P) network , all the computers are equals. Peer-
to-peer networks are usually small, having anywhere from two toten computers.
SHARING FILES In a P2P network, each user decides whether any files on his or her
computer will be shared. You can share the files with one person, a few people, or
everyone on the network. The reverse is true, too. Other workstations may have files
you’d like to access through the network—and you can if you have permission.
CREATING A P2P NETWORK A P2P network is easy to create, since all of the
workstations are equals. The operating system of each computer typically has built- in
file-sharing abilities. The workstations are connected to each other through the network
cable. In some systems, the network cables all connect to a central device called a hub. A
EVALUATING P2P NETWORKS A P2P network is ideal for small offices andhomes. In a
These problems occur because resources are scattered across many computers. If one
computer fails or is turned off, its resources are no longer available to the network.
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Large businesses usually use a client/server network . With this system, one pow- erful
system is called the file server , or the server. It contains the network operating system,
other programs, and large data files. The network operating system (NOS) manages
and secures the entire network. It controls access, permissions, and all aspects of network
use, and provides a directory, or list, of all resources available on the network. Only
those who provide a username and a password can use the network. It centralizes and
protects data and controls what users can do with files. Thus, a client/server network is
• Servers are rarely turned off, although they can be offline for maintenance.
What Is a WAN?
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A wide area network (WAN) connects computers and other resources that are miles or even
continents apart. A business with offices in many places can use a WAN to link its LANs in different
cities. Then, users from any of the locations can, with the proper permissions, access the network. The
company can maintain a centralized information technology infrastructure, while each user can access
files, printers, and other resources as if they were local. As far as users are concerned, working on a
Once a WAN is created, users may not even realize the files they are sharing are re- mote. And that’s the
way it should be. Users should not worry about the physical lo- cation of the shared files, just that the
Like a client/server LAN, a WAN is controlled by a network operating system (NOS). A NOS is
especially helpful on a WAN because there are so many users andresources to manage. The NOS
also helps network administrators secure the re- sources throughout the network.
Creating WANs
To create a WAN, LANs are connected through high-speed data lines called back- bones .
Organizations attach to the backbone at a point of presence (POP) . Buthow do they get to the
POP? There are several options.
ISDN AND DSL These technologies use ordinary telephone lines to attach to the backbone. Special
LEASED LINES Some companies rent a private end-to-end connection, called a leased line or
dedicated line, from a telecommunications company. Leased lines arealways active, and guarantee a
single open circuit will be available between two points at all times. The data transfer rate of a leased
line varies depending on the type of line, but is usually about the same as a symmetric DSL line.
T1 LINES Larger companies and many school districts lease T1 lines . T1 lines can be either copper or
fiber optic, and they allow data to be sent at more than 1.5 mil- lion bps.
PERMANENT VIRTUAL CIRCUITS A permanent virtual circuit (PVC) allows multiple users’ data to travel
the line at once. Thus, they are cheaper than private lines. Most PVCs use a technology called frame
relay . Frame relay allows voice,data, and video to travel on the same line and at the same time.
Network Architecture
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Network architecture is the science of designing a network. In many cases, a systems engineer is
hired to find out what the network will be used for, and to design a network the operating system can
handle.
Small networks are generally not very complicated. The network administrator first connects the
network card of each workstation to the network cable, and then usually connects the cable to a hub.
The administrator also has to make sure the operating system of the computer is set up to participate
in the network. On larger net- works, however, the job becomes more complicated.
FOLLOWING RULES Recall that all network communication, large or small, is based on and must
follow common rules, called protocols. These rules were developed by the International Standards
Organization (ISO).
The rules specific to computer networks are called the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)
model. These rules define what happens at each step of a network operation and how data flows
bottom. Each layer communicates with the layer above and below it to en- sure
that networking takes place. During transmission, on the sending computer, data
flows from the application layer, down through each layer in the model, and out
through the network. On the receiving computer, data flows back up through
the model.
Sometimes layers 1, 2, and 3 are called the lower layers. They define rules for
how information is sent between computers over a network. The upper layers,
Each layer has a job to do to prepare outgoing data for the network and in-
coming data for the operating system. All layers are important, but layer 3,
the network layer , deserves special attention because that is the stage of the
process when data is transferred from one router to another.
Layer Purpose
If you were to create a map of your neighborhood, you might include streets, lakes, and
hills. A map of a network shows the physical structure of the network, includingservers,
workstations, and other network devices. The network’s layout is called thenetwork
topology
Topology isn’t only concerned with where to put equipment, however. The design of a
network must also solve another problem: Only one computer on a network can transmit at a
time. When two computers try to access the network at the same time, they’re in contention
. If both sent their data at the same time, there could be a collision , and the data could
To avoid such collisions, each computer divides its data into very small, fastmovingpackets.
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designer chooses a network type to connect the components. Each type of network can be described
BUS TOPOLOGY An older network design, bus topology is rarely used now. In abus, devices are
When one network device fails, the entire network fails, and adding new devices tothe network can
also be tricky.
RING TOPOLOGY As its name suggests, ring topology connects all the network devices
in a circle. To control collisions, such networks pass tokens , or special units of data,
around the ring. Only the workstation that has control of the token cansend other data
onto the network. Because of the token-passing technique, these networks are also called
token rings , or, if the network is wireless, wireless to- ken rings . Like bus topology,
one fault can disrupt a ring network, but this net- work type has the advantage of not
STAR TOPOLOGY Star topology design connects each network device to a central hub.
A hub is a connection point for all the computers, printers, and other equipment on the
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network. Adding and removing devices to a star network is easy. If the hub loses power
or fails, however, the network devices will not be able to communicate. Star topology
alonga bus. It is the most common design used in LANs today. Suppose each
classroom in your school had its own network with its own hub. The hub in
all of the networks. It links all the hubs in the school, for example,
multiple paths, redundancies exist. But, because all devices are cross-
connected, the best path from one to another can be taken at any time. The
drawback to mesh topology is that needing at least one and a half connections
for each computer makes it very ex- pensive to construct. This topology is
usually used in the internet structure.
Exploring Ethernet
LANs. To create the network, Ethernet cables plug into Ethernet ports on
computers, LANs, and cable or DSL modems. Ethernet and star bus
topology work together toensure fast data transfers, logical network design,
and fewer collisions. Ethernet uses a rule called Carrier Sensing Multiple
network devices communicate and what happens if they break the rules.
device is speaking. If not, it will transmit the data. Every workstation on the
network receives the data.
However, only the device the data is intended for actually accepts it.
ETHERNET COLLISIONS If two devices transmit at the same time, a collision
occurs. In that case, each of the conflicting devices waits a random number of
milliseconds and then attempts to transmit again. The random waiting time
Star bus topology expands a network’s reach. As more devices are added to
congestion, messages are routed to the proper segment rather than to the
entire network