Introduction to Networks

Overview

In order to study networks we need to develop a vocabulary and a sense of our goals.

Objectives

• Describe the constituent parts of a network
• What are the basics of using the World Wide Web.

Preparation

Browse chapter 1 of the text. It covers a lot of material that we won't look at immediately, but its a good introduction to topics that follow.

Be able to define the terms and answer the questions.

K&C (Knowledge and Comprension)

Terms

computer network

domain name

internetwork

IP address

LAN

link

name server

node

router

subnet

switch

WAN

Questions

What does it mean if a computer network is scalable?

What protocol does the World Wide Web depend on?

AS&E

Draw a diagram of two local area networks (LANs) connected together by a wide area network (WAN) and label the components?

How is an IP address used to deliver a message to a recipient?

What do routers do in a network and how does a router handle an incoming message?

Describe the actions that are required to send an HTTP request from a client browser to a web server.