Basic principles of Networking and Communications
When it comes to business and personal communications these days, we don't have to think much about the technology, equipment, or network that makes it all possible. Even the importance of networking with one another around the globe and various forms of communications isn't something we tend to give much time and attention to either. But the moment we lose our networking capabilities and our communications ceases, it's like we're lost. And the longer this disconnect occurs, the more we feel isolated. If you're in the midst of a presentation or online conference or webinar, the tendency is more toward agitated should the communications be hampered. In a business environment, it's a 9-1-1 to the Internet Technology department! It's truly amazing how dependent and accustomed we've become to instant, high-speed communications from where we were just a decade or so ago.
Wikipedia has a great article on this topic that you can read when you click on NETWORKING. When I say networking and communications, I am referring to all sorts of things that enable us to talk, write, text, chat, email one another...that sort of thing. There is a huge amount of equipment that is used to facilitate all of this networking and communications. Generally, it falls into the following categories:
Various categories in networking and communications
- Modems
- Switch Boxes & Cables
- Mainframes
- Network Cables & Connectors
- Network Power Protection
- Network Hubs
- Server Components
- Router Components
- Storage Area Networking
- Wireless Networking
- Telecommunications
- Security
This, by no means, is anywhere close to an exhaustive listing. But it's a start. Then each of these categories has sub-categories with a huge array of items that fall within it. For example, in the Wireless Networking category, you've got an entire facet of networking and communications called Satellite Systems. Understand?
Increasingly, network security is a top-burner issue. Major companies are often reporting breaches in their network where confidential information, data, and even technology has been stolen or compromised.
Quite a number of people in the USA and Europe are using their financial institutions network to pay their bills. Last month, I attempted to log onto my bank's website only to be told that it was unavailable. I was unable to access something that had become fairly routine. It just didn't occur to me that one day it might be "closed" for business. Yes, it was only around 36 hours that they were out of commission, but I got a big dose of education as to how important this form of networking and communications is to me in conducting my daily life.
