A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that covers a small physical area such as an office, home, or airport. In the 1960s the amount of computers in research labs was increasing and along with it the need for high-speed interconnections. Increasing amounts of PCs on site wanted connections to share data and laser printers. Developers had to overcome incompatible physical layers and network protocol implementations. Novell NetWare was a solution to this, and later faced competition from Microsoft. The technical aspects of this article were confusing because I didn't know a lot of the terms.
2.)Computer Network Wikipedia
A computer network is a group of interconnected computers. A computer network allows sharing of resources and information. Wired technologies can use twisted-pair wire, which is most commonly used for telecommunication. They can also use coaxial cable, which is most commonly used in network television, offices, and LANs. Thirdly wired technologies includes fiber optics. Wireless technologies include: terrestrial microwave, communications satellites, cellular and PCS systems, wireless LANs, bluetooth, and the wireless web. Networks are classified as LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network, PAN (Personal Area Network), VPN (Virtual Private Network), CAN (Campus Area Network), SAN (Storage Area Network), based on their scale, scope, and purpose. The hardware components the network interface cards, which allow the computers to communicate. The repeaters send and receive signals. A network hubs contain multiple ports. Bridges connect multiple network segments. A network switch forwards and filters chunks of data communication between ports, and a router forwards packets between networks.
3.)Computer Networks YouTube
This video went over the different classifications of networks that are listed above (LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN...), but it made it a little easier to visualize what they each meant.
4.)Coyle Management of RFIDs in Libraries
RFID stands for radio frequency identifier. These can be embedded in objects, such as a book cover or other places, and record information. There are various RFID technologies, some used for toll-taking in cars, or reuniting lost pets with their owners. The use of RFIDs in libraries is controversial because of privacy issues. RFIDs can be used as a security mechanism by being in either the "checked-in" or "checked-out" state and read by the security sensors at the door. However, this can be manipulated by foil or simply ripping the RFID off the book. However, RFID is just as good as other security measures and can also be used for other functions. RFIDs can be easier than barcodes because barcodes need a direct line of sight to be read and RFIDs don't, and multiple RFIDs can be read at one transaction. RFIDs may be used to know exactly where a given item is. Libraries do have to think of their return on investment (ROI) although it is not as easily measured as those of businesses. The needs and preferences of the user are important to take into consideration since the library is a public service after all.
I agree that that LAN wikipedia was confusing. I understood the basics of what they were saying, but it wasn't until I read the next two articles that I fully understood what they were saying. I do believe that without the video, I never would have fully visualized how networks work.
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