All new networks installed in schools are Ethernet networks. Ethernet is an international, non-proprietry standard.  All new computers supplied to NSW DET schools contain an Ethernet port so that an Ethernet network can simply be "plugged in" to the computer.

  Ethernet networks can be considered as two "layers":
-the actual network cabling infrastructure
-the network operating system which is running "over" the cabling
 
 

The computers which make up your network are connected together with electrical cable.  There are different types of electrical cable, the main differences relating to the "speed" with which information can be moved through them.
 

Twisted pair:
Twisted pair contains 2 twisted "pairs" of copper wire. It has been widely used to create LocalTalk networks, and is ideal for linking Macintosh computers together to share printers.  This cable is not suited to the increasing demands and expectations of large networks.

Coaxial Cable:
Coax was widely used for network connections until quite recently. It can transfer data at up to 10 Mb/sec. However, this is its limit, and with "fast ethernet" (100 Mb/s) on the horizon it would be short sighted to install coax as part of a new network.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP):
Currently the "standard" in network cabling. This cable contains 4 "pairs" of copper wire, operates comfortably at 10 Mb/sec, but can operate effectively at up to 150 Mb/sec. This provides some degree of "future-proofing" - your other components (hubs, servers, etc.) can be upgraded without having to replace your cable. This cable is used in "Category 5" installations, the recommended school standard.

There are two types of UTP - "hard drawn" and "multi strand".

"Hard drawn" copper wire is "solid" and is therefore suitable for "fixed" installations. If hard drawn wire is installed where there may be some movement of the wire, it will break and fail in a short space of time.

"Multi-strand"wire is more flexible (and more expensive) than hard drawn wire. It is used for the connection from the wall outlet to the workstation or in other places where movement may occur.

The "Category 5" specification indicates where and how each type of UTP cable should be used.

Optical Fibre:
Used for external installations between buildings, and long cable runs, over 90 metres.

" Wireless" Networking:
Not actually a cable, but rather an alternate means of connecting one site to another using "radio transmission". Still fairly pricey, but an option for sites which are difficult to cable, due to their construction or their layout.
 

The term "Intranet" describes an "internal" computer network which uses tools and protocols normally associated with the Internet.

In very simple terms, this means that students using an Intranet are able to feel like they are using the Internet - browse web sites and send e-mail - though their computers may have no connection to computers outside the school.

The content which students experience using an Intranet can be controlled completely from within the school environment, or (more commonly) used as a "gateway" to the Internet.