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> FAQ > Networking FAQ
What
is network?
What
is TCP/IP?
How
do I request a static IP address?
What
is DHCP?
What
is a protocol?
What
is a bridge?
What
is a router?
What
is a hub?
What
is a switch?
What
is a repeater?
What
is a server?
What
is an operating system?
What
is network?
A:
A network is two or more computers that are physically connected
to each other and able to share information.
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What
is TCP/IP?
A: TCP/IP
stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP
is actually a collection of protocols, or rules, that govern the way
data travels from one machine to another across networks. The Internet
is based on TCP/IP.
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How
do I request a static IP address?
A: We are
now using DHCP reservations instead of assigning static IP numbers.
If a DHCP reservation will not work for your particular application,
or you need more information regarding this policy, please email Networking.
To simplify the reservation procedure please use.
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What
is DHCP?
A: Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is an industry standard protocol
that specifies methods for dynamic configuration of computers on TCP/IP
networks. DHCP is designed to simplify and reduce the configuration
and administration of computers on the network.
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What
is a protocol?
A: A protocol
is a standard set of rules that determines how computers communicate
with each other across networks.
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What
is a bridge?
A: Bridges
are used for connecting separate workgroups (subnets) together. Most
bridges identify and keep track of the location of the nodes on each
network and allow only the necessary traffic to pass through. The
bridge determines the destination source of information. If a packet
of information gets corrupted, the bridge filters or drops the packet,
but if it contains all of the proper destination and source information,
it will advance the packet.
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What
is a router?
A: Routers
filter network traffic and conjoin different protocols to ensure that
files are routed correctly. Because of this filtering, routers are
slower than switches or bridges, but will perform a valuable function
if the filtering is required. Unlike network hubs and switches, routers
offer management services, such as zone (subnet) configuration and
control.
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What
is a hub?
A: Hubs are
sometimes called concentrators; they allow each node on a network
to communicate with all other nodes. Most hubs have status lights
on them for monitoring the condition of the network they are attached
to. There are Ethernet standards which limit the number of hubs that
can populate a network.
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What
is a switch?
A: Switches
are used to expel network errors and improve performance on networks
that have become bogged-down with excessive traffic. Switches offer
a method of transmitting messages through a communications network
in which long messages are subdivided into short packets. Each packet
is passed from source to destination through intermediate nodes. At
each node, the entire message is received, stored briefly, and passed
to the next node.
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What
is a repeater?
A: A device that amplifies or otherwise conditions signals
received from one piece of a transmission medium and passes them on
to another similar piece of a transmission medium without reading
the addresses or the data content. Repeaters do not intelligently
route network traffic.
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What
is a server?
A: A server is a high capacity computer that provides various
resources. A typical server holds several hard drive disks, a tape
back-up, and a CD-ROM drive. It can be used for sharing resources
such as printers, fax machines, modems, e-mail and internet connections.
It is often used for storing information, files, file backup, and
various software programs for access by client computers. The functions
of the server can be administered, controlled, and provide security
for its network users.
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What
is an operating system?
A: Software
that controls the execution of computer programs and that may provide
scheduling, debugging, input and output control, accounting, storage
assignment, data management, and related services. If you have transferred
information between computers using Windows 95 or Mac OS, you have
already interfaced with a network operating system.
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