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| The most basic network
interconnects two computers (nodes)
via a single cable.
Networks continue to grow in complexity beyond this point and they are characterized by protocol and topology as well as cabling, hardware and software. Many networks utilize the client / server architecture, while others have a peer to peer design. Servers in a hierarchical network allocate resources and authenticate users, while peer to peer networks connect two computers directly for resource sharing. |
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| Please see An Educators Guide to School Networks for an excellent primer. | ||
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The Ultimate Guide to Networking: Part One by Michael Furdyk will drill down into the depths of hardware more effectively than the prior site. Parts two and three of this guide cover actually setting up networks on certain platforms. There is also an FAQ on networking that you might fine useful if you are going to try out networking at home. |
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Please see Alan Silverstein's Under the Hood of the World Wide Web for a nice deep discussion of client / server computing as implemented on the Web. |