Computer Network Topologies

Bus, ring and star network topology diagrams

By Bradley Mitchell, About.com Guide

A computer network topology is the physical communication scheme used by connected devices. These pages illustrate the common computer network topologies including bus, ring and star topology diagrams. More complex networks can be built as hybrids of two or more of these basic topologies.

CCNA

Definition: A CCNA is a Cisco Certified Network Administrator. This certification, which is good for 3 years, can be obtained in one of two ways: Candidates have the option of gaining the certification by passing two tests (INTRO and ICND), or one single test (CCNA); the two-test option has the advantage of allowing the candidate to focus on certain subjects. When the CCNA certification expires the holder must do one of the following: re-take the CCNA or ICND exam or take and pass an exam for one of the Professional (e.g., CCNP) or Specialist level certifications (excluding the sales specialist exams), or pass the CCIE written exam.

Network Administrator

Profile of a Network Administrator:

Network Administrator

A Network Administrator is a professional in charge of the maintenance of the computer hardware and software systems that make up a computer network. This includes activities such as the deployment, configuration, maintenance and monitoring of active network equipment.
The Network Administrator is typically a mid to senior level of technical/network staff in an organization and is not typically involved with direct user support. The Network Administrator will concentrate on the overall health of the network, server deployment, security, ensuring network connectivity throughout and company's LAN/WAN infrastructure, and all other technical considerations at the network level of an organizations technical hierarchy. Network Administrators are considered Tier 3 support personnel that only work on break/fix issues that could not be resolved at the Tier1 (helpdesk) or Tier 2 (desktop/network technician) levels.
In some companies, the Network Administrator may also design and deploy networks. Usually, though, these tasks would be assigned to a Network Engineer if the company is large enough.
The actual role of the Network Administrator will vary from company to company, but usually includes tasks such as network address assignment, assignment of routing protocols and routing table configuration as well as configuration of authentication and authorization – directory services. It often includes maintenance of network facilities in individual machines, such as drivers and settings of personal computers as well as printers and such. It sometimes also includes maintenance of certain network servers: file servers, VPN gateways, intrusion detection systems, etc.

Computer Networking

Computer Networking is a focus within engineering that deals with communication between computer systems or devices. Computer networking is often considered a sub-discipline of a few areas: telecommunications, computer science, information technology and/or computer engineering. Computer networks rely heavily on the theoretical and practical application of each of these engineering disciplines.

History of Information Technology:

In relative terms, it wasn't long ago that the Information Technology department might have consisted of a single Computer Operator, who might be storing data on magnetic tape, and then putting it in a box down in the basement somewhere. The history of information technology is fascinating! Check out these history of information technology resources for information on everything from the history of IT to electronics inventions and even the top 10 IT bugs.

Information Technology – A Definition:

We use the term information technology or IT to refer to an entire industry. In actuality, information technology is the use of computers and software to manage information. In some companies, this is referred to as Management Information Services (or MIS) or simply as Information Services (or IS). The information technology department of a large company would be responsible for storing information, protecting information, processing the information, transmitting the information as necessary, and later retrieving information as necessary.