Understanding Networks, IP Addresses, and Cloud Computing
Unit 1: Network Types
PAN (Personal Area Network): A network covering a small area, like a home or office.
LAN (Local Area Network): A network connecting devices in a limited area, such as a building.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): A network covering a larger area, like a city.
WAN (Wide Area Network): A network spanning a large geographical area, like a country or the world.
Understanding IP Addresses
An IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.
Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses
A static IP address is a fixed, numerical address manually assigned to a device. A dynamic IP address is assigned automatically by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) each time a device connects to the network.
Unit 2 & 3: Internet Connections and Networks
Types of Internet Connections
- Wired connections
- Fiber optic connections
- Mobile networks
- Wi-Fi
Intranet vs. Extranet
An intranet is a private network within an organization, used for internal communication and resource sharing among employees. An extranet is a private network that allows controlled access to authorized external users, such as customers, suppliers, or partners.
Search Engines
A search engine is a tool that allows users to find information on the internet.
Types of Search Engines:
Directory: A directory uses human editors to categorize websites within specific categories in its database.
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook can be used as a standalone application or in a corporate environment with Microsoft Exchange Server for shared calendars and messaging.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is a web-based email marketing service that helps you design email newsletters, share them on social networks, integrate with other services, and track your results.
Online File Sharing Applications
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing refers to accessing and using computing resources (software and hardware) over the internet. The “cloud” represents the internet, providing access to services and data from anywhere in the world.
Unit 4: Electronic Invoices and Professional Networking
Electronic Invoice
An electronic invoice is a digital document with the same legal validity as a paper invoice. It describes the services provided and associated taxes. Required elements include:
- Invoice number
- Issue date
- Date of service (if different)
- Name/business name, CIF (tax ID), and address of issuer and receiver
- Description of items and quantity
- Tax rate and amount
Advantages of Electronic Invoices:
- Cost savings
- Improved security
- Faster delivery
- Improved service and reduced management times
- Reduced errors
LinkedIn is a social network and employment search portal, combining professional networking and job searching.
Unit 5: Real-Time Communication and Blogging
Real-Time Messaging
Real-time messaging allows for the immediate transmission of text between a sender and receiver.
Instant Messaging:
Some platforms offer only text-based messaging.
Voice over IP (VoIP):
VoIP enables the transmission of voice and data simultaneously over a network.
Blogging
Blog: A website where an individual or group shares their opinions, activities, and experiences.
Blogger: Someone who writes content for a blog.
Blogging: The act of writing and publishing posts on a blog.