Networking Links
--An Educator's Guide to School Networks
        This site contains information about networking, protocol, cables, etc.. This site has the information needed in order to solve your computer problems.
                                                 Click here to visit!!!

--A Guide to Networking a K-12 School District
        What is a network, how do you do it, is it useful, how will it fit into my curriculum?  These are all questions which are answered on this site.
                                                     Answers!!!!!

--Consortium for School Networking
        Looking for ways to become more involved in the advancement of technology in schools?  This site can help you to become more knowledgeable and more involved.  It has informational sites and program involvement sites.
                                                       Get Involved!!

--A Guide to Networking for K-12
     This site has different ways to network your computer lab, examples of other networking strategies, steps to take when networking, and resources for networking help.
                                                     Need Help?  Click here

--School Networking Resources
     This site provides the viewer with resources to support school networking and design.  A great thing about this site is it is specific to a few upper western states.  One of these states is Montana.  Under the Montana listing you will find contacts in our area.  It also gives information on what the Montana chapter is working on.  For example, the Montana chapter is working on networking rural schools and raising money for the universal service fund.
                                             Check out Montana's Networking!!

  Important Networking Terms
--All of the following graphics and definitions are from the above links.

-Peer-to-Peer Networks and Client/Server Networks
     Peer-to-Peer Networks are networks where two or more users can become networked together in order to carry on a conversation.

-Client/Server Networks
      Client/Server Networks are networks where users use devices so they can share information through the use of printers, computers, or application programs.

-LAN/WAN
      A LAN is a local area network where all clients share a common infrastructure and are usually in the same building or group of buildings.  While a WAN is a wide area network.  This type of network spans over a large geographic area.
 

- A Few Technologies for Networking the WAN

    -Wireless
            Wireless networking can be done using either lasers or microwaves.  The lasers run at higher speeds but have shorter ranges (few 100 meters) and can be blocked by certain types of weather.  The microwaves run on a frequency so they can go a longer distance but they can interfere with other frequencies.

        -Leased Line
            When using a leased line the district buys a permanent connection from the phone company.  They use this line to connect to to either another school or an ISP.  There are two types of leased lines:  dry line and leased line.  The dry line runs at a speed of 56 Kbps and must be in closely placed buildings while a leased line runs at a speed of 56 Kbps- 1.5 Mbps and can pretty much run over any distance.

      -Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
            This type of network runs at a speed of 64 Kbps- 128 Kbps.  It is much like a leased line except for the fact that the phone company only bills the user for the actual usage.

        -Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)
            This type of networking relies on a standard phone line to connect to schools.  It runs at a speed of 28.8 Kbps in each direction.  It is cheap and easy!!!

-Terms

    -Topology:
       A topology is the shape or pattern that a network takes on as it is built.  There are three types of of topologies: star, ring, and bus.
            -star: this type of topology creates a client networked to a central location or hub.

            -ring:  a ring topology connects in a continuos loop.

            -bus:  a bus topology creates a network where clients are strung along a single cable.
               

    -Protocol
       -Protocol is a standard for how devices communicate.  The internet uses a type of protocol called a protocol suite.  The exact type of suite used by the internet is TCPIIP.
        -Another type of protocol is the Fast Ethernet protocol.  This protocol is called the 100baseT.  This protocol uses a Category 5 UTP and is a lot quicker than the 10baseT version, but is more expensive.

    -Repeater
       - A repeater is a device which regenerates signals to extend transmission distance.

    -Hub
        A hub is a device that serves as the center of a star topology network like 10baseT.  Another word for a hub is a concentrator.  There are two modules in a hub: stackable and modular.  That stackable module has a fixed number of ports available to connect devices.  A modular module is more flexible, but it costs more.

    -Bridge
        A bridge is a device used to connect local or wide area networks that use the same protocol.

    -Router
        A router is a device that connects networks to other networks.  It selects what data will go outside the network and what data will stay in the network.

    -NIC's
       A NIC is a network interface card which can add on board that serves the connection between the client computer and the network infrastructure.

    -Cables
       Unshielded twisted pair-  attaches phones for local service. It can be labeled in categories ranging from a Category 1--Category 5 (high speed).

        Fiber Optic- useslight instead of electricity to carry data.  It can move data at high speeds and not be affected by proximity or electrical equipment.  This cable has three components: core, clodding, and coating.

        Coaxil- most well known.  It has several layers of material surrounding a common axis.  It is most commonly used for video distribution.

        Wireless- uses radio or microwave transmission for data.  These cable networks are useful in campus or district networks.

The cable which would be the most appropriate in a school is wireless.  It is reliable and created to work mainly in district or campus networks.  Although it is a great cable, one should analyze its cost.

  Wazza's School Computer Network Info

-Networking and intranet explanations and suggestions for schools.
       -All new networks in schools are Ethernet networks.
        -The recommended school standard cable is unshielded twisted pair cable (UTP).  This cable has the ability to upgade components without replacing the cable.
        -A school intranet is an internal computer network which uses tools and protocols normally associated with the internet.  It is just like the internet, but because it is not connected to any computers outside of the school the content can be controlled.

  Networking Design and Research Center
         This is one of the best resource site I have come across.  It has networking terms listed alpahabetically so all you have to do is click on the letter and it also has a variety of networking resources.  Not only is this site very informative, it is also very easy to use.