Lesson One:  Information Technology and the Internet

Information Technology and the Internet

Objectives

1. Define Information Technology (IT) job roles
2. Define networks
3. Define the Internet
4. Identify Internet connection methods
5. Define Internet protocols
6. Define Domain Name System (DNS)

IT Job Roles

Web Site Designer - An individual responsible for the organization and appearance of a web site.

Web Site Analyst - An individual who analyzes web site statistics to determine the site's effectiveness.

Web Site Application Developer - An individual who develops primarily server-side web applications.

Web Architect - An individual who is responsible for creating the overview plan of the web site's development.

Web Site Manager - An individual who manages a web development team.

Database Administrator - An individual responsible for the maintenance and security of an organizations database resources and data.

Server Administrator - An individual responsible for managing and maintaining network servers.

Network Engineer - An individual responsible for managing and maintaining a network infrastructure.

Security Manager - An individual responsible for managing the security measures used to protect electronic data.

Security Analyst/Consultant - An individual responsible for examining an organization's security

PC Repair Technician - An individual responsible for installing, modifying and repairing personal computer (PC) hardware components.

Help Desk Technician - An individual responsible for diagnosing and resolving users' technical hardware and software problems.

 

IT Job Roles Review Activity

  

 

Overview of Networks 

A network is a group of two or more computers connected so they can communicate with one another.

A network allows its users to:

• simultaneously access the same programs and data
• transfer data from one computer to another
• share peripheral devices, such as printers
• share data storage devices for backup
• Use electronic mail (e-mail) to communicate with each other
• Access the Internet

A common network model is the client/server model. In this model different nodes, computers or devices, interact with each other through a central server that connects them. Clients and servers in this model must use the same protocols. Networks can accommodate more than one server. Servers can be dedicated for specific tasks or information. Server types include print servers, web servers, network servers, file servers, and e-mail servers.

 

Network Structure

There are two main types of network structures, LANs and WANs. A LAN is a Local Area Network. A LAN is a group of computers connected within a confined geographic area. A WAN is a Wide Area Network. Generally a LAN becomes a WAN, when two or more LANs connect via public carriers.

 

Network Activity

  

Overview of the Internet

The internet can be defined as a world wide network of interconnected networks. The internet connects millions of people worldwide. Originally the internet was a project funded by the Department of Defense. The internet was originally formed in 1969 by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). They formed the first worldwide computer network. This network was called ARPANET. In the late 1980s, DoD decommissioned ARPANET and switched all sites over to the National Science Foundation (NSF) network called NSFnet. Joining with NSFnet added access to more networks. This eventually become what we call the internet today. Every computer on the internet uses TCP/IP, this enables the computers to talk to one another.

Important Terms

Backbone - The highest level in the computer network hierarchy. to which smaller networks typically connect.

Gateway - A node on a network that serves as a portal to other networks.

World Wide Web - WWW - A set of software programs that enables users to access resources on the internet via hypertext documents.

Hypertext Link - Highlighted or underlined text in a Web page that when clicked, links the user to another location or web page.

Web Page - An HTML document containing one or more elements (text, images, hyperlinks)that can be linked to or from other HTML pages.

Web Site - A World Wide Web server and its content; includes multiple Web pages.

Web Browser - A software application that enables users to access and view Web pages on the Internet.

 

Internet Activity

  

Connecting to the Internet

There are six elements required to connect to the internet:

1. Computer - PC, WebTV, mobile phone, Internet phone, or handheld device
2. Operating System - Window XP, Linux, Unix, Macintosh OSX
3. TCP/IP - protocol software used to communicate with the Internet
4. Client Software - Web browser, e-mail, or news client program
5. Internet Connection - dialup or direct connection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
6. Internet Address - Web address (ex: www.CIWcertified.com), e-mail address (ex: john@CIWcertified.com), or server address (ss1.prosofttraining)

When you purchase a computer, the first three elements are fulfilled. Once you have the first three you need to install a web browser and get an ISP. The ISP sets you up with the last two elements. An ISP provides service to the internet. Some common ISPs are AOL (America Online), MSN (Microsoft Network), and RoadRunner. AOL is a common provider of dialup connections. This means that you need a phone line, a modem, and a subscription to AOL to connect to the internet. MSN does high speed connections. As does RoadRunner. You can also connect to the internet in other ways. For example you can connect to the internet wirelessly.

 

Important Terms

Internet Service Provider - ISP - An organization that maintains a gateway to the Internet and rents access to customers on a per-use or subscription basis.

Modem - Abbreviation for modulator/demodulator. An analog device that enables computers to communicate over telephone lines by translating digital data into audio/analog signals (on the sending computer) and then back into digital form (on the receiving computer)

Integrated Services Digital Network - ISDN - A communication standard for sending voice, video, or data over digital telephone lines.

Channel - The cable or signal between two network nodes that enables data transmission.

Bandwidth - The amount of information, sometimes called traffic, that can be carried on a network at one time. The total capacity of a line.

Network Interface Card - NIC - A circuit board within a computer's central processing unit that serves as the interface enabling the computer to connect to a network.

Wireless Access Point - WAP - A device that enables wireless systems to communicate with each other, provided that they are on the same network.

Standard - A definition or format that has been approved by a recognized standards organization.

Digital Subscriber Line - DSL - A high-speed direct Internet connection that uses all-digital networks.

xDSL - Collectively, the variations of DSL, which include ADSL, REDSL, and HDSL.

 

Connecting to the Internet Activity

  

 

Internet Protocols

Protocols are rules that describe how clients and servers communicate over a network. Protocols are similiar to rules of order. Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Interent Protocol version 6 (IPv6) are protocols used to give addresses on a network. IPv4 is what is currently in use. It is often referred to a dotted quad. IPv6 is a step up from IPv4. IPv6 allows for more addresses. IPv6 is a hexadecimal address. Remote access protocols are used for dail up and direct Internet connections that you can establish from a remote client. The most common use for Remote access protocol is in a Point-to-Point Protocol, this kind of protocol is most often used with dial-up connections. Hypertext Transfer Protocol is specifically a set of rules to exchange files across the web. HTTP also has a secure version. This version is HTTPs. File Transfer Protocol is most commonly used to transfer files from one user to another.

 

There are three E-mail protocols. The first one is Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. SMTP is mostly used just for sending e-mail messages. SMTP is also a part of the TCP/IP suite. The second e-mail protocol is Internet Message Acess Protocol. IMAP resides on an incoming mail server and allows sharing of mailboxes and multiple mail server access. The last e-mail protocol is POP3. POP3 is more widely used than IMAP. This is because POP3 servers store and forware messages to the appropriate mail server until the recipient downloads it fromt he server.

 

Network News Transfer Protocol is used by news servers. Much like email servers NNTP servers provide text output that users can access at thier convenience. However, these servers allow for multiple person input much like a conference call.

 

Protocols Activity

 

Match the items. a b c d e f g 1. HTTP     a. Point to Point Protocol a b c d e f g 2. FTP     b. Internet Protocol version 6 a b c d e f g 3. SMTP     c. Post Office Protocol a b c d e f g 4. IMAP     d. Internet Message Access Protocol a b c d e f g 5. PPP     e. File Transfer Protocol a b c d e f g 6. IPv6     f. Hypertext Transfer Protocol a b c d e f g 7. POP     g. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol     Partially correct. Right! Good job! Sorry, incorrect answer.   This question has already been answered correctly! Points scored this item:  . Total points scored:  . Percent correct:  .

 

Domain Name Server

 

DNS or Domain Name Server resolves IP address into easily recognizable text-based names. Ex: 12.42.192.73 is the same as www.CIWcertified.com. Domain names read right to left. So www.CIWcertified.com is the name of the web server or host (www), then the name registered by the company (CIWcertified), and then the domain category or top level domain (.com). A fully qualified domain name is the complete domain name of an internet computer. A root level server is the highest level in the DNS.The top level domain categorizes sites into groups. A DNS can also be used to resolve IP addresses into domain names.

DNS Activity

   

 

 

 

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