Basics of Computer Networking

May 10, 2020

Are you interested in the basics of computer networking? Are you fascinated by the basics of computer networking? Do you want to learn the difference between a physical network and cloud computing?

In the late 1960s, computers located at UCLA and the Stanford Research Institute became the first two nodes in the packet switching system, leading to ARPANET, becoming the first fully functional computer network in the world.

This breakthrough would turn out to have world altering consequences, as the basic technology grew into the internet that we know today. Computer networks have evolved for many decades, and with the growth of the internet, we have seen an increase in cloud computing and thus the need for computer networking technicians.

With all that being said, are you asking yourself, “What does a computer networking technician do?”

What Does a Computer Networking Technician Do?

Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Basically, computer networking technicians are responsible for the day-to-day operation of an organization’s networks. They organize, install, and support an organization’s computer systems, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer networking technicians typically do the following:

Determine an organization’s system needs and install network hardware and software
Troubleshoot software issues on desktop PCs and servers
Manage physical cable and infrastructure
Make needed upgrades and repairs to networks and ensure that systems are operating correctly
Maintain computer network and system security
Evaluate and optimize computer network or system performance
Install networking components, such as ethernet and fiber optic cards
Manage network security and data risk
Research and procure new network hardware
Manage VoIP systems
Add users to a computer network, and assign and update security permissions on the network
Answer tech support questions about a network
Interpret and solve problems when a user or an automated monitoring system alerts them that a problem exists
Train network users in basic operations and best practices

What Is a Computer Network?

A computer network is a basic set of devices connected together to share information. This includes both a network of physical devices on an organizational level and cloud computing.

What Is the Internet?

The internet is the basic network of all networks. It consists of millions of interconnected individual devices, as well as computer networks across the entire world. The internet uses standard network protocols (TCP/IP) for communication and, with it being in the public domain, is free for all users.

What Is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

The internet of things is a network of devices, home appliances, vehicles, and other electronics that have computer chips and network connectivity, allowing them to exchange data. The internet of things is all around us, and almost everything with a computer chip can access the internet to “talk” with mobile devices.

Whether it is an alarm system that syncs with a mobile phone for homeowners to keep an eye on their houses, or a refrigerator that tells you when you are out of milk, all of these items are part of the IoT.

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing delivers networking space for businesses of all sizes to store data in the cloud. This data consists of database information, software, analytics, and intelligence.

Cloud computing offers a remote network that gives businesses flexible resources and the ability to scale as needed. It saves businesses money by offering the network size they need at any given time.

Cloud computing is easy to implement and upgrade. It allows a business not to have to invest in hardware that is maintained by employees. Rather, the computer networking technician is responsible for managing the cloud computing system.

Cloud computing has more uptime than a local area network. If one data center goes down, the network can switch to other data centers located around the world. Cloud computing can also make backups of all data in the network to recover after a disaster.

Cloud based resources generally are broken up into layers. From top to bottom, these are:

Software as a Service (SaaS)

This allows businesses to offer software applications over the internet. Typically, this is done on an on-demand basis using a basic subscription service.

This networking structure allows the business to focus on software upgrades and security patches, allowing the cloud to manage the infrastructure and maintenance of the network. A common SaaS application is an office tool like Microsoft Office 365.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS supplies on-demand services for developing, testing, and managing software applications. PaaS makes it easier for web developers to create web apps, without extensive setup and management issues. The infrastructure is located in the cloud and includes servers, storage, and networking. This allows organizations to avoid buying software licenses for every employee.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

With IaaS, a business rents basic IT infrastructure for services, storage, networking, and operating on a pay-as-you-go basis. This is a benefit because IaaS quickly scales up and down depending on demand. Businesses avoid the basic expenses associated with large computer networks and owning physical servers.

What Is the Difference Between Clients and Servers?

A server is a device that holds data for a website and sends it out when requested. A client is a different device that requests to view, download, or use the content. The client device can connect over a network to exchange information. These devices can be connected directly with an ethernet cable, over a physical network, or in the cloud.

What Is Network Infrastructure?

Network infrastructure refers to the software and hardware that combine to allow devices and computerized systems to communicate among each other, allowing for the operation and management of the network itself. Network infrastructure can include basic technologies like ethernet cabling, switches, and routers. It can also include more complex technologies like load balancers, firewalls, and network bridges.

The first step in designing any network is to determine the basic functions the network will be expected to provide. To begin, gather the following basic information:

Number of devices the network will serve
Kinds of devices the network will serve
Types of applications that will transmit data on the network
Minimum uptime requirements
Potential for future expansion
Costs associated with each type of network
Flexibility needs of the network
Need for a basic backup system
Security of the network

Types of Networks

Computer networks can be classified in different ways. One way of classifying networks is by geographic distance between the different components. These include LAN, MAN, and WAN.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A local area network connects devices within a small area. This may include a small organization or at-home computer network. The computer networking technician will work to conceive, maintain, and fix any existing networking systems so they run at capacity.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A MAN network stretches across a region or metropolitan area. A metropolitan area network can be a series of local area networks connected together, also called a wide area network (WAN).

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A wide area network covers a large geographic area. Computer networking technicians set up and maintain wide area networks for businesses. They spend time analyzing, testing, and evaluating these WAN networks to make sure they run properly and have enough resources to function with minimal downtime. The computer networking technician also makes sure the network is secure and performs at the capacity needed by the business.

Open vs. Closed Networks

Another way of classifying networks is designating them as open networks or closed networks. Open networks do not close upon themselves and connect to the internet, while closed networks are connected only to each other and do not have any external download or upload source.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A special type of network is the virtual private network formed when a computer connects to a trusted network from an external location, usually through the internet. This type of network is common in the corporate environment where the employees might need to connect to the protected office network from their home.

What Is a SOHO Network?

SOHO networks are one of the most common ways for computers and electronic devices to be connected. The term SOHO means “small office or home office,” and it refers to both small businesses and home-based networks.

Network Protocols

Computer systems communicate with each other and resources using network protocols. Most networks use multiple protocols. One of the most common, used with the internet and many other networks, is TCP/IP. Some of the other protocols are FTP for file transfers, HTTP for connecting to locations on the World Wide Web, and HTTPS which is a secure version of HTTP.

What Is an IP Address?

Internet Protocol (IP) addresses give devices across a network an address. Each device has a specific address to identify the destination and origin of that device.

An IP address is a set of four numbers between 1 and 254, separated by dots. An IP address is like a basic street address. Parts of the address describe the location as it gets closer geographically, from state to city, and city to street. Some IP addresses are public, and others are private. Public IP addresses can be accessed by anyone, whereas a private IP address is usually hidden behind a device with a public IP address.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy the challenge of making sense of complex systems, there’s a high probability you’ll thrive as a computer networking technician.

Interested in learning more about the basics of computer networking? The Computer Technician Networking Specialist program at Hunter Business School is designed to prepare computer networking students for entry-level positions in the fields of electronics, computer technology, and networking.

All Computer Technician Networking Specialist program students build their own computers to be used in the classroom throughout the computer repair and training program. The networking component of the training program includes configuration, management, and troubleshooting of common wired and wireless network devices.

Enrolling Now For Upcoming Classes