This chapter offers a brief introduction to networking and some basic networking terms and concepts. This material should be a review of many already known concepts. You should be familiar with the various networking topologies used in networks, as well as different types of networks, such as local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). | CCNA CISCO CERTIFIED NETWORK ASSOCIATE 1 Q A Self Test Two-Minute Drill Networking Technologies Networks Topologies Network Types 2 Chapter 1 Networking Technologies T. . . . . . his chapter offers a brief introduction to networking and some basic networking terms and concepts. This material should be a review of many already known concepts. You should be familiar with the various networking topologies used in networks as well as different types of networks such as local area networks LANs and wide area networks WANs . CERTIFICATION OBJECTIVE Networks A network is basically all of the components hardware and software involved in connecting computers across small and large distances. Networks are used to provide easy access to information thus increasing productivity for users. This section covers some of the components involved with networking as well as the basic types of topologies used to connect networking devices including computers. Components One of the main components of networking is applications which enable users to perform various tasks. Many applications are network-aware. These applications allow you to access and use resources that are not located on your local computer. Some of the more common networking applications include e-mail sending mail electronically FTP transferring files and WWW providing a graphical representation to information . The number of networking applications ranges in the thousands but those listed are the most commonly used. To build a network you need three types of devices or components computers networking devices and cabling. Computers devices such as PCs and file servers running Microsoft Windows Macintosh OS Unix including Linux or other operating systems are responsible for providing applications to the users. Networking devices such as hubs bridges switches routers firewalls modems NT1s an ISDN network termination device and channel service units data service units CSU DSUs are responsible for moving information .
