Catholic Education Ministries

Basic Network for Printer Sharing

Initially, schools used a network to enable multiple computers to share a single printer. In such a simple setup, network cables connected each computer and the printer to a switch (formerly known as a network hub).

Network Growth Leads to More Switches

A second switch would likely be added to your network for two reasons...

• There are too many computers for one switch. In this case a second switch is commonly added immediately adjacent to the first. A 1 Gbps patch cable connects the two switches, as this connection point can easily become a bottleneck on the network's speed.
• The computers are too far apart (different section of the building) to run a separate network cable for each computer. In this case, a second switch is added closer to the remote computers. Due to the distance between the two, a fiber cable is often used to connect the two switches.

Adding a Router and the Internet

The school's internet connection can be connected anywhere on the network. There are usually two pieces of equipment involved in the internet connection, a modem (provided by the ISP) and a router/firewall that acts as a middleman.

A Server is Added to the Network

Some schools have chosen to add a file server to their network. A file server enables all persons within the school to store their documents on a central computer (the server). This allows any person to access virtually any document from any computer within the school.

Additional Notes

Many switches: If your network has many switches, avoid situations where switch #1 connects to #2, #2 to #3, #3 to #4, and #4 to #5. It is best to have all switches directly connect to switch #1.

Installation: Physical wiring within conduit, ceilings, and attached to walls MUST be installed by a licensed low-voltage electrician (preferably with network certification).

Wireless: A wireless network operates in a manner similar to that of a wired network. The wireless 'base station' can act as a 'switch' on your network. It wirelessly communicates with the individual workstations. Just imagine Ethernet cables floating weightlessly through the hallways.

Definitions (simplified)

AppleTalk

A protocol equipment uses to communicate on a network. AppleTalk was easy to use and did not require the use of numbers to identify devices. However, this protocol is being phased out.

Cat 5e.

Category 5 enhanced. This is standard network cable. It has 4 pairs of copper wires capable of speeds of 100 Mbps. If cables are short, speeds can reach one Gbps.

Cat 6 or Cat 7

Category 6 or Category 7. New generations of Ethernet cabling, but much more expensive. These have not yet become popular (as of 2004). Cat 6 supports a speed of one Gbps.

DHCP server

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. If a device on a computer network does not have an IP address, the DHCP server on your network can provide a dynamic (temporary) IP address.

Ethernet

Network cables (and communication). Cables are sensitive to sharp bends and damage.

Ethernet address

see MAC address

fiber

Network wiring made of glass rather than copper. Commonly used between long distances.

file server

See server.

firewall

Network equipment that protects your network from outside hackers. This functionality is commonly part of the router.

gateway

see router

Gbps

Gigabits per second. A unit of measure. It measures the capacity or speed of network equipment. A speed of one Gbps is growing in popular in comparison to 100 Mbps (as of 2004).

hub

See definition of a switch. A hub is an older, less efficient product that has been replaced by the switch.

IP address

A 4-segment number that acts as a device's identity on a computer network.

MAC address

Media Access Control address. A 12-digit identification number for the network jack of a computer, printer, or any other network device. This number is unique to that phsyical piece of equipment and never changes.

Mbps

Megabits per second. A unit of measure. It measures the capacity or speed of network equipment. 100 Mbps is common (as of 2004). The next fastest speed 1 Gbps is growing in popularity.

MBps

Megabytes per second. A unit of measure. It measures the capacity or speed of network equipment.

NIC

Network Interface Card. This is simply the portion of a computer or printer with the network jack. This is built into all modern computers.

patch cable

see Ethernet

patch panel

A patch panel is commonly installed near a switch to allow for easier organization. A patch panel simply allows you to have all the cables approaching the switch terminate as jacks. You simply use small patch cables to connect each jack of the patch panel to each port of the switch.

physical address or physical Ethernet address

see MAC address

Rendezvous

Adds ease of use (AppleTalk-like features) to TCP/IP. With TCP/IP communication, you often manually type a device's IP address so that you can use it on the network. With Rendezvous, devices just 'show up' without having to know an IP address.

router

Network equipment that routes the flow of traffic across computer networks. For example, if one workstation on the network wants to view the diocesan web site, it directs that request out onto the internet.

server

Any computer can be designated as a server, but usually a computer built just for that intent is purchased. The server runs software that allows special functionality. A file server is one example, where any person within the school can save their files to the server. Sometimes a router includes extra network jacks, thus avoiding the need to buy a 'switch' if you have an extremely small network.

switch

A box with lots of network jacks. It allows all connected devices to communicate. This combined with the patch cables is a basic network. A good switch should operate at at least 100 Mbps.

TCP/IP

Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. An industry-standard communications protocol used by devices on a network and the internet. Every device needs an "IP address" (like a phone number) to communicate.

workstation

a computer (but not a server)