COMPUTER NETWORKING 
     INFRASTRUCTURE FOR 
             DUMMIES…
   AND SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
                 Eric D. Wright
                  EDAD  685
              Coastal Carolina University
                   Fall 2010
    WHAT IS A NETWORK?
    
     A network consists of two or more 
    computers that are linked in order to 
    share resources, exchange files, or 
    allow electronic communications. 
    
     The computers on a network may be 
    linked through cables, telephone 
    lines, radio waves, satellites, or 
    infrared light beams.
  THE TWO BASIC TYPES OF 
     NETWORKS INCLUDE: 
  
   Wide Area Network 
  (WAN)
  
   Local Area Network (LAN)
          WIDE AREA NETWORKS:
        Wide Area Networks (WANs) 
         connect large geographic areas, 
         such as Florida, the United 
         States, or the world.
        Dedicated transoceanic cabling 
         or satellite uplinks may be used 
         to connect this type of network. 
   LOCAL AREA NETWORKS:
   o
   A Local Area Network (LAN) is a 
   network that is confined to a 
   relatively small area.
   o
   It is generally limited to a 
   geographic area such as a writing 
   lab, school, or building.  
   o
   Rarely are LAN computers more 
   than a mile apart.