Rules, Schmools for Networking

Rules, Schmools for Networking

Even for the simple network with Fred and Wilma in Chapter 2, "A Network's Reason for Existence," several standards were required. To create that network, Fred's PC (the client) and Wilma's PC (the file server) need to be set up to use the built-in networking features of their computer operating systems. Figure 3-1 outlines some of the details.

First, the PCs in the network need some form of physical connectivity. Physical connectivity refers to the combination of cabling, networking devices, and network interface cards (NICs) in the computers, which together provide the physical capability to transmit and receive data across a network. Physical connectivity means that the computers have a physical path over which they can send data to each othermuch like having roads so that you can drive your car.

Both PCs have a NIC installed, and each card has a receptacle into which a cable can be connected. (The NICs are shown outside the PCs to emphasize their existence.) A NIC is a computer card that gives a computer the ability to send and receive data across a physical network. The words behind the acronym NIC (network interface card) make sense because a NIC is a computer card that provides an interface between the computer and the network.

Networking standards define several types of connectors. A connector is the physical endpoint of the cable, with a certain size and shape. For instance, an electrical power plug on the end of an electrical power cable might have two flat prongs and one round one. With networking cables, the end of the cable is not called a plug; it's called a connector. The connector holds the wires that are inside the cable. Also, the standards for the connector ensure that the connector fits the NIC's interface.