Communications

Communications Introduction Local area networks (LAN) Computers can communicate electronically with other computers via a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). When individual workstations interconnect and have access to each others information ardor resources, it is called a network. These networks consist of nodes, the hardware, and are interconnected by links, the communications media of twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, or fiber-optic cable. Workstations that use a local area network (LAN) are usually in close proximity to each other, often in the same building. A LAN can transfer data, files, and programs from one PC to another or even from one LAN to another LAN. LAN configurations LAN configurations or topology is the physical arrangement of the LAN components. The three common configurations are the star, the bus, and the ring network. In the star configuration, each component connects directly to a central computer or network server. In the bus configuration, all workstations connect to the same cable and the far ends of the cable never meet. In a ring network, all components connect to a cable and this cable forms a ring. Each configuration offers a compromise in advantages and disadvantages. Your LAN configuration was probably already set up before you arrived or tapped into it. LAN communication It takes network software, communications software, and interfacing software to make a LAN network work correctly. Also, each workstation must have a network interface card (NIC). Wide area networks (WAN) Wide area networks cover a larger geographical area than a LAN system. Examples of a WAN would include the Internet, Bulletin Board Services (BBS), electronic mail (E-Mail), and the world wide web (WWW). You may or may not have the opportunity to access any of these networks from your workstation in the graphics shop. 3-38