Operating systems in computer networks

Computers use operating system to build and run programs. Operating system software not only runs on laptop computers but also on network routers, cell phones and other embedded devices.

Types of operating system

The operating systems used on computers are

·     Microsoft Windows

·     Linux

·     Mac OS X

Some other types of operating system used for various types of equipment are

·     Google Android and Symbian- for cell phones

·     DEC VMS (Virtual Memory System)- for mainframe computers

·     Solaris, DG-UX, HP-UX and other types of Unix- for server computers

Network Operating system

A modern operating system has built in software to simplify networking of a computer. In Operating system software, there is an implementation of TCP/IP protocol stack and utility programs like traceroute and ping. This consists of necessary device drivers and other software to automatically enable a device Ethernet interface. Mobile devices provide the programs to enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other wireless connectivity.

Early versions of Microsoft Windows don’t offer any computer networking support. Microsoft has added basic networking properties into its operating system like Windows 95 and Windows for Workgroups. Microsoft also comes with internet connection sharing feature in Windows98 Second edition.

In comparison to UNIX, which was designed with more emphasis on networking. Any consumer operating system today can be categorized as a network operating system due to the growing popularity of internet.

Embedded Operating systems

Embedded system supports no or limited configuration of its software. For e.g. embedded systems like routers typically consist of a pre-configured Web server, DHCP server and some of the utilities but do not allow the installation of new programs. Some of the examples of embedded operating system for routers include

·        Cisco IOS (Internetwork operating system)

·        Juniper Junos

·        DD-WRT

You can find embedded operating system inside the consumer gadgets like phones (iPhone OS), digital media players and PDAs. 

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The most incredible article about Basics of Networking you'll ever read

Networking is the process of connecting two or more computing devices with each other for sharing data. Computer networks are constructed using hardware and software.

Area Networks

Computer networks are categorized in various different ways. According to one approach the networks are defined on the basis of geographic area which it covers.

Local Area Networks( LANs) is used to connect  a single home, small office building, school whereas wide area network(WANs) is able to connect cities, states or more wider areas. Internet is considered as world largest public WAN.

Network design

Computer networks can also be defined on the basis of design approach. The two most common form of network design are client/server and peer to peer. Client server network comprises centralized server computer that can store email, files, web pages and applications. On the other hand in a peer to peer network, all computers will be able to support the same functions. Client server networks find its application in business whereas peer to peer networks are most commonly used in homes. 

A network topology defines its structure and layout from the point of view of data flow. In bus network, for example, all the computers communicate and share across one common conduit. While in a star network all the data flow takes place through one centralized device.

Common network topologies are bus, ring network, star and mesh networks.

Network Protocols

Computer devices use communication languages which are called network protocols. The set of protocols that computer network support is another way to classify them. Networks often use multiple protocols and each of them supports specific applications. One of the popular protocol is TCP/IP which is also the most common protocol found on the internet and in home networks.

Home Networking

Home Networks are managed by ordinary homeowners with little or no technical knowledge. Broadband router hardware produced by various manufactures has been designed to simplify home network setup. With the help of home broadband routers; devices in different rooms can efficiently share a broadband internet connection and that allow people to easily share the files and printer within a particular network and increase overall network security.

Home networks have grown with each generation of new technology. Earlier people commonly use home network to connect a few PC, and share some of the documents, but now there is increased usage of network game consoles, smart phones for streaming video and sound and digital video recorders. Home automation systems have grown in popularity with arrival of practical system for controlling lights, appliances and digital thermostats.

Business Networks

Often businesses require an additional communication, security and data storage therefore a business network contain multiple LANs. Companies with large set up uses wide area networking to connect various branch offices together. Voice over IP communication, back up technologies and network storage are most common in businesses. Some of the big companies also have their internal websites called intranets for connecting to other employees.

Internet and Networking

Computer networking has gained immense popularity with the introduction of World Wide Web (www) in the 1990s. Public web sites, peer to peer file sharing systems and a large no. of services run on internet servers all over the world.

Wired and Wireless Networking

Most common network protocols like TCP/IP, has its efficiency in wired and wireless networks. Networks with Ethernet cables are more commonly used in businesses, homes and schools for the several decades. Wireless networking has emerged as the popular technology for building new computer networks which include smartphones and other wireless gadgets that have contributed to the rise of mobile networking.

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A brief description of Cisco Networking Academy

In 1996 Cisco Systems, that design, sells and manufactures network equipments, found that the networking industry was booming and there was a huge requirement of professionals who can design, manage, build and secure computer networks. As a result Cisco Networking Academy was launched by Cisco system that provides an online training curriculum, aimed to help high schools and college students to learn the fundamental skills for designing, building and troubleshooting computer networks. 

Networking Academy was launched in October 1997 at 64 educational institutes that covers 7 US states. Since its inception it has expanded to almost 9000 high schools, technical schools and colleges and community organizations in 50 states of US and 170 countries. The curriculum is taught in 16 languages from all over the world. Over five million students have gone through these courses with more than 125 million online assessments.

Cisco systems give its credit to the strong public private partnership for Networking Academy massive growth. The company’s mission to create a distributed delivery structure where it could reach a maximum no. of students by partnering with educational institutions has worked. Cisco provides free Networking Academy online content, free instructor training and lab material to its institutional partners. 

Network bulls is one such institutional partner of Cisco. Network Bulls reviews are positive; it has one of the biggest Cisco labs in entire Asia. All the trainers are CCIE certified. The students can practice on real time Cisco devices. It has an excellent placement record with 5000 students placed in a span of 6 years. Network Bulls reviews from its students also speaks a lot of its world class training program.  

How Networking Academy works

In Networking Academy education model the training is provided using face to face facilitation by instructors, hand on lab, in person and online learning. Cisco assists the training partners with a large no. of instructional tools, hands on lab material, simulation tool, online practice activities, a visualization and assessment engine Cisco Packet Tracer and educational games. The partnering institutions also get discounted equipment bundles and support services with a global 24/7 NetAcad help desk.

Cisco Netspace

Networking Academy gives its online curriculum and assessment with the help of cloud based learning management system known as Cisco Netspace. Students can go through online course material, complete assessments and assignments and connect with their instructors with the help of Cisco Netspace. The portal is open all the time through which students can complete their assignments at their convenient time.

In this system instructors can manage their courses. The site is also used as a management system for Networking Academy administrators to simplify common administrative task like scheduling, enrollment tracking and managing equipment inventory. Regular updates on course curriculum and assessment are also done through this system for Networking Academy 9,000 sites.