This document defines and explains computer networks. It begins by defining a computer network as two or more connected computers, along with other devices like printers and scanners. It then explains that most networks follow a client-server model, where clients request information from servers which connect devices to shared resources. The document also discusses local area networks (LANs) within an organization and wide area networks (WANs) that connect multiple LANs over longer distances, often using the internet. It provides an example of a large intranet used to connect different facilities of a healthcare organization across the country.

1. What is a Computer Network?A virtual Fieldtrip Created by Odessa Kirk, MET Candidate Fall 2010 for EdTech 541

2. Defining a Computer Network To start this virtual fieldtrip, let’s define what exactly what a Computer Network is. Navigated to http://www.functionx.com/networking/index.htm.

3. Introduction to computer networks According to the diagram, a computer network can be two computers connected together, such as you would find in your home. More often, when we are talking about a computer network, it consists of more than one computer as well as printers, scanners and other needed equipment. (functionx, 2010)

4. Client/Server Networking Most computer networks are referred to client /server networks. Lets look further into what a client server network is and how it works. Navigate to http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/technology-explained-definition-client-server-network/

5. We will now continue to investigate what a client server network is. According to makeuseof.com, “the name makes it pretty clear, the definition of a client server network is that one of the involved parties acts as a client and the other acts as a server (Kashyap, 2010).” When a computer is requesting information within the network, a server is what connects your computer to the information you are seeking.

6. How do clients and servers communicate?

7. What is http? Hyper Text Transfer Protocol is the language used to retrieve the information from the sever (Kashyap, 2010). There are different types of severs and they may use one or more types of protocols. FTP is another type of protocol. When you are trying to access information outside your own LAN or WAN your computer may use both http and ftp.

8. LAN? Now lets look inside a network. Navigate to http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/internetworking/technology/handbook/Intro-to-LAN.html A LAN is a Local Area Network. This is a smaller network such as you may have at work or at school. “A LAN is a high-speed data network that covers a relatively small geographic area. It typically connects workstations, personal computers, printers, servers, and other devices. LANs offer computer users many advantages, including shared access to devices and applications, file exchange between connected users, and communication between users via electronic mail and other applications (Teare, 1999).”

9. WAN? Next let’s investigate WAN Navigate to http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-wan.htm

10. WAN Continued Basically a WAN is two or more LANs connected together. The most common example of a WAN is the Internet. If a corporation has more than one city off operations, their network will be made up of several LANs connected through phone lines (Kayne, 2010).

11. Intranet According to http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-intranet.htm, an Intranet is a “secured business environment” (Kayne, 2010) made up of LAN’s and connected through servers. It functions like the Internet but is firewalled so that information cannot be accessed outside of the network.

12. GSS Intranet The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, where I work, has one of the largest Intranets. They have 230 facilities around the country. Each one of those facilities has an Administrator, Financial Department, Human Resources, as well as nursing, housekeeping and other departments. Each Department Head has a computer that is tied into the GSS Intranet through LAN’s. They can access links within the society, email, news, memos and other resources such as payroll and staff education. Computers are connected through Ethernet cables to a central server that connects each LAN together. Visit the GSS website at http://www.good-sam.com/about/default.asp

13. Conclusion Now that you know what a Computer Network is, here are some addition sites that may help to shed more light on the subject. http://www.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm http://www.boloji.com/computing/networking/n002.htm http://www.boloji.com/computing/networking/n005.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVvEheZVwdg&feature=fvw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9CjOOCzwZc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H760U3QZocs&feature=related

14. Photos Slide 1 Clip Art Slide 2 http://www.functionx.com/networking/index.htm Slide 3,4 http://www.functionx.com/networking/Lesson01.htm Slide 5 http://www.fidelitymax.com/style/network.gif Slide 6 ,7 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/technology-explained-definition-client-server-network/ Slide 8 http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/internetworking/technology/handbook/Intro-to-LAN.html Slide 9 http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-wan.htm Slide 10 http://wally.cs.iupui.edu/n241_06/files/webMag/wan.jpg Slide 11 http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-intranet.htm Slide 12 http://www.good-sam.com/about/default.asp

15. References functionx. (2010, September 9). Computer networking with microsoft windows. Retrieved September 12, 2010, from Computer Networking: http://www.functionx.com/networking/index.htm Kashyap, V. (2010, March 18). The definition of a client server network [technology explained]. Retrieved September 11, 2010, from makeuseof.com: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/technology-explained-definition-client-server-network/ Kayne, R. (2010). What is wan? Retrieved September 12, 2010, from WISEGEEK: 2010 Teare, D. (1999). Internetworking technology handbook. Retrieved September 11, 2010, from Introduction to LAN Protocols: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/internetworking/technology/handbook/Intro-to-LAN.html