| Networks are groups of computers that communicate by either cable or wireless transmissions. By the use of computer networking, we can share data with others. Today, all businesses, small or large use some type of computers and most use computer networking to handle their daily business operations such as bookkeeping, inventory tracking, document storing, and e-mail.
Networks are growing in size and complexity and this trend has created a rapid increase for networking engineers to provide practical and efficient solutions. Networking needs vary from one network to another; there is no such thing as “one size fits all.” Also, a properly designed network must allow for expansion. The management of a small company may feel that this advanced technology is of no use to them since their monetary budget is limited. However, with proper planning, small companies can start with an affordable and versatile network and later expand on the next level of affordability.
This text is the outgrowth of lecture notes that this author prepared and passed on to the students at UC Berkeley Extension as handouts. The word “design” on the title of this book implies the purchasing and installation of the essential hardware and software that one must collect to assemble an effective computer network. Basically, it means the building of a network. The word “management” is used to denote the duties and responsibilities of a network administrator. Of course, one may argue that network management should include the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Remote Monitoring (RMON). While this is true, a detailed treatment of those two topics are beyond the scope of this book. |
