Introduction (1.0.1.1)
We now stand at a critical turning point in the use of technology to extend and empower our ability to communicate. The globalization of the Internet has succeeded faster than anyone could have imagined. The manner in which social, commercial, political, and personal interactions occur is rapidly changing to keep up with the evolution of this global network. In the next stage of our development, innovators will use the Internet as a starting point for their efforts—creating new products and services specifically designed to take advantage of the network capabilities. As developers push the limits of what is possible, the capabilities of the interconnected networks that form the Internet will play an increasing role in the success of these projects.
This chapter introduces the platform of data networks upon which our social and business relationships increasingly depend. The material lays the groundwork for exploring the services, technologies, and issues encountered by network professionals as they design, build, and maintain the modern network.
The Networking Academy curriculum has a new component: modeling activities! You will find them at the beginning and end of each chapter.
Some activities can be completed individually (at home or in class), and some will require group or learning-community interaction. Your instructor will be facilitating so that you can obtain the most from these introductory activities.
These activities will help you enhance your understanding by providing an opportunity to visualize some of the abstract concepts that you will be learning in this course. Be creative and enjoy these activities!
The Introduction to Networks Lab Manual contains all the labs and class activities from the course. You can access the full instructions in the course itself or in this printed lab manual.
Here is your first modeling activity:
Class Activity 1.0.1.2: Draw Your Concept of the Internet
In this activity, you will draw and label a map of the Internet as you interpret it now. Include your home or school/university location and its respective cabling, equipment, devices, and so on. Some items you might want to include are as follows:
- Devices/equipment
- Media (cabling)
- Link addresses or names
- Sources and destinations
- Internet service providers
Upon completion, be sure to save your work in a hard-copy format, as it will be used for future reference at the end of this chapter. If it is an electronic document, save it to a server location provided by your instructor. Be prepared to share and explain your work in class.
For an example to get you started, please visit www.kk.org/internet-mapping.