A technology primer for teachers   

with specific references to the network used at Bonny Eagle High

School and MSAD#6

How our Network works

Overview:

1.computer networks2.network types3.network categories4.network architechture5.servers6.network protections7.what network should I set up at

home?

Computer networks:What is a computer Network?   A computer network is a collection of two or more connected computers. When these computers are joined either by wires or cables or in a wireless network, people can share files and peripherals such as modems, printers, and backup drives.

Network types:PANs:  Personal Area Networks - The most basic type of network is a communication network established for the purpose of connecting computer devices of personal use. At home, you might connect a PC, your school MacBook, a printer, and a PDA to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) through a router.

Network types:

LANs - Local Area Networks, usually confined to a geographic area, such as a single building.We have a LAN in each of our schools in the district.

Network types:

WANs - Wide Area Networks are multiple LANs that are geographically separate that are connected together.  The high school and middle school are connected using fiber optic cable to form a WAN. 

Network types:

MANs - Metro Area Networks are multiple WANs and LANs that are geographically separate that are connected together.  All buildings in the district's five towns are connected using fiber optic cable to form a district-wide MAN.

Network types:

The Internet - the biggest of all networks!  The Internet is a system of linked networks that are worldwide in scope and facilitate data communication services such as file transfer, electronic mail, the World Wide Web and newsgroups.The Internet has become a communications highway for millions of users and a pipeline for any and all forms of information and commerce. Internet websites now provide personal, educational, political and economic resources to every corner of the planet.

Network categories:

Peer to Peer:  In peer-to-peer networking there are no dedicated servers or hierarchy among the computers. All of the computers are equal and therefore known as peers. Normally each computer serves as Client/Server and there is no one assigned to be an administrator responsible for the entire network.  This category is used in small offices or businesses, and home networks.

Network categories:

Peer to Peer: 

Network categories:

Server Based:  The term Client/server refers to the concept of sharing the work involved in processing data between the client computer and the most powerful server computer. The client/server network provides:• Sharing of printers between many computers.• Network management.• Centralized file storage.

 We have five network server closets in the district.

Network categories:

Server Based:

Network categories:

Server-based OSI model:  Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model serves as a guide for networking. This model is the bestknown and most widely used guide to describe networking environments.  It provides a description of how network hardware and software work together in a layered fashion to make communications possible. It also helps with trouble shooting by providing a frame of reference that describes how components are supposed to function.

Network categories:Server-based OSI model:  

Network architecture:

Ethernet is the most popular physical layer LAN technology in use today. Other LAN types include Token Ring, Fast Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and LocalTalk. Ethernet is popular because it strikes a good balance between speed, cost and ease of installation. These benefits, combined with the ability to support virtually all popular network protocols, led our district technology department to choose it for our schools.  Last year, our high school was upgraded to Fast Ethernet, with a 100 MBps (Megabites per second) connection speed.   

Network architecture:

 

Connections:

The network is connected with co-axial shielded twisted pair cables throughout our buildings.  Fast Ethernet cables connect our rooms, and end at ethernet jacks.

The ethernet jacks, which look like telephone jacks with larger connections, connect the airports and our VOIP phones back to thenetwork server closet.

Connections:

Through our airports, laptops connect to the internet through our servers using TCP  (Transmission Control Protocol ) and IP (Internet Protocol).  Internet use is limited to the number of IP addresses (conections) the building has.  If more devices (including cell phones!)  try to connect than the number of available IP addresses, connection will be denied. 

Connections:

Connections:

The various buildings in our district are connected to each other with high speed fiber optic cables. 

Connections:The main network closet for the entire district has a firewall, which is a systemthat enforces an access control policy between two networks.  It serves to either block traffic or to permit traffic coming in and out of the district.  Our district has only one internet connection for everyone.  That means that the firewall and the district filter can block objectional content for all district buildings.  

Network Protections:

Our school protects our network in three areas:

    1.  Hardware- from theft, damage, etc.

    2.  Data- from prying eyes and data loss. limited access to confidential data intellectual property issues

   3.  Students- from violation of rights, and exposure                  to         to unsuitable material, abuse, and scams.

AUP - Acceptable use policy firewall filter

What network information should I keep in mind as a teacher?

The aim of the district technology department is to have the network ubiquitious and readily available at all times for the use of students and staff.  However, teachers should always have a back-up plan in place in case there is a network or other problem that keeps you from carrying out the planned lesson that requires technology. 

 

What network information should I keep in mind as a teacher?

 

What network information should I keep in mind as a teacher? (continued)

 Also, take advantage of the server in your building to back up your files!  By switching to Google apps (docs, presentations, spreadsheets), anything created in their applications are already backed up.  However, photos and other items you may have created in Word or other programs are not.

What network information should I keep in mind as a teacher? (continued)

 Remember, the network is used for accessing Infinite Campus for grading and attendance, staff email at bonnyeagle.org, connecting to the printers in your building, and the staff information posted at the staff wiki page.  It's a good idea to locate and bookmark these pages for quick, easy access.The district technology page, linked at bonnyeagle.org also has links and technology tips to help you.

What sort of home network should I have?

If you have a PC at home that is connected to the internet, you may want to purchase a router so that you can access the internet using your MacBook while at home.  Be sure to set up a password protecting your personal network!  Also, if you Google "printer sharing" you will find steps to follow so that you can share your home printer as well.

What sort of home network should I have?

     References: Basic networking tutorial. (n.d.). Free Computer Learning - No BS Zone. Retrieved September 8, 2011, from http://www.techiwarehouse.com/cms/engine.php?page_id=d9e99072 Ethernet tutorial part I: Networking Basics. (n.d.). Technick.net - Hardware, Pinouts, Circuits .... Retrieved September 10, 2011, from http://www.technick.net/public/code/cp_dpage.php?aiocp_dp=guide_networking_ethernet_01  Networking. (n.d.). The Computer Technology  Documentation Project. Retrieved September 10, 2011, from  http://www.comptechdoc.org/independent/networking/

   References:

Networking 101: Understanding your needs and options .(n.d.). TechSoup - The Place For Nonprofits And Libraries .     Retrieved September 10, 2011, from    http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/networks/page4773.cfm Web technology world networking guide & support.... (n.d.). Web Technology World - Installation, Support, Security, Tech Tips & Study Guide. Retrieved September 10, 2011, from http://www.webtechnoworld.com/Networking.php  What is PAN - Personal area network - How PAN works. (n.d.).  Wimax - What is Wimax Technology - How Wimax works. Retrieved  September 10, 2011, from  http://www.freewimaxinfo.com/personal-area-network-pan.html    

Image sources:    Slide 3:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/adambrock/142056834/   Slide 4:  http://www.webtechnoworld.com/Networking.php  Slide 5:  http://www.bonnyeagleprojectgraduation.com/  Slide 6:  http://www.sad6.k12.me.us/bems/library/  Slide 7:  http://bit.ly/okBaMw  Slide 10:  http://www.custom-build-computers.com/image-files/computer-network-repair.jpg   Slide 12: http://www.webtechnoworld.com/Networking.php   Slide 14:  http://www.techiwarehouse.com/cms/engine.php?page_id=d9e99072

  Slide 16: http://www.techiwarehouse.com/cms/engine.php?page_id=d9e99072

 

 Image Sources:

   Slide 17: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30328885@N05/3293932881/                 http://www.flickr.com/photos/paul_edelman/4368729786/  Slide 19: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55021933@N05/5791929139/  Slide 20: http://flic.kr/p/8Mecz9    Slide 21:  http://bit.ly/qI7Ta7   Slide 24:  http://bit.ly/qJhF9L   Slide 28:  http://bit.ly/oNKdZS   Slide 33: http://www.bonnyeagle.org/departments.cfm?subpage=333616 

Special thanks to David Fournier, Network Specialist Maine School Administrative District # 6, (Bonny Eagle) for his time and willingness to be interviewed for this presentation.  Interview date:  09/08/11, conducted by Robin Nappi at Bonny Eagle High School, Standish, Maine.