Networks: The good, bad and confusing (Week 3)

When learning about Networks this week I was a little overwhelmed with all that it entails. The old networks, new networks, what used to be acceptable, what is dangerous, what you need to watch out for etc. etc. 

Some of the concepts that gave me the hardest time was grasping the ideas of what used to be an acceptable form of internet access and what is used today; as well as what the networks are preferred.

The original form of internet access is known as an Ethernet cord. It is connected to one network and one IP address. There is a port in the back of most computers for the cord to plug into giving the computer access to the world-wide web. 

The other, more recent form of internet access is known as WiFi, or more technically as 802.11. This form of internet access allows companies and family households to have more than one computer connected to the internet in more than one location, as long as it was in range of the signal. However as the years when on it was discovered that accesses such as a WEN signal was unsafe and more secure networks were formed. This however did not prevent things such as wireless phones, baby monitors and microwaves from interfering with the connection. The radio waves from all of the devices weekend the signal. 

There are many concepts regarding computers and the network connections that I took for granted before taking this class and really diving into the logistics and history of computers and their connections to the world-wide web through internet servers and Networks.