CIW Certification/Study Guides/Network Technology Foundations

Network Technology Foundations

SKILLS MEASURED

Foundations skills are not product- or system-specific. They are a combination of minimal technical and non-technical skills and knowledge required for those interested in developing specific Internet skills as a designer, developer or administrator. The exam also requires a basic understanding of essential business practices that relate directly to Internet technologies. The 1D0-510 Domain 3 tests the following topics:

Demonstrate knowledge of basic data communications components, and demonstrate technical knowledge of the Internet

The majority of users access the Internet through Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Internet connection points can be established through dial-up service, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), cable modem, proxy service, or dedicated lines (ISDN, T1, etc.). The speed at which you connect determines how fast the website appears.

Internet Service Providers access the Internet through Network Access Points (NAPs). These NAPs are major Communications Providers connected together by a high speed Wide Area Network (WAN) known as the Internet backbone. These WANs are usually constructed of a high speed fiber optic cable and can handle speeds from 100Mbit/s to 1Gbit/s.

Identify the role of networking hardware, and configure common hardware for operation

A network may consist of two or more computers and can be classified into two main types:

• LAN (Local Area Network) - Limited to a specific geographical area and often divided into small groups called workgroups.
• WAN (Wide Area Network) - Crosses much larger geographical boundaries including metropolitan, regional, or national.

Networks are composed of various components, each designed to perform a different function. The following components are likely to be utilized as part of a network:

• Workstation - Any computer connected to a network and used for a specific purpose.
• Server - A somewhat more powerful computer used to control specific functions of the network.
• NIC (Network Interface Card) - An adapter in the computer that provides the physical and electrical connection to the network. May be an expansion board or built into the motherboard. NICs are network specific, Token Ring and Ethernet, and will not inter-communicate between each other.
• Network Cable - The cabling connecting the network components. In most cases will include any of the following types:
  • Coaxial - Construction includes a copper center conductor with a plastic jacket, surrounded by a braided shield, and covered with a PVC or Teflon outer jacket. Teflon jackets are referred to as [i]plenum-rated[/i]. They do not produce toxic gases when burned and are rated for use within breathable air plenums.
    • Thin Ethernet
    • Thick Ethernet
  • Twisted-pair
    • UTP - Unshielded twisted pair, rated in the following categories:
      • Category 1
      • Category 2
      • Category 3
      • Category 4
      • Category 5
      • Category 6
    • STP - Shielded twisted pair, commonly used for Token Ring installations.
  • Fiber-optic
• Hub - A central connection point for network devices. Also called a concentrator, a hub will receive input in one port and transmit that information to all other ports.
• Switch
• Bridge - Separates a single network into two segments.
• Router
• Firewall
• Modem
• Gateway

Identify the functions and components of servers commonly used on the Internet

Often used for specific purposes, servers may include the following:

• Web server - Holds and distributes Web content.
• File server - Holds and distributes files.
• Print server - Controls and manages one or more network printers.
• Mail server - Holds and distributes e-mail.
• Fax server - Sends and receives faxes.
• Proxy server - Performs functions on behalf of other computers.
• Telephony server - Performs call center and call routing functions.
• Remote access server - Hosts modems designed for inbound connections to the network.