Networking

NETWORK

PROTOCOL

HARDWARE

CABLING

TOPOLOGY

SOFTWARE

VOCAB

What is a Network?

A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

Two very common types of networks include:

• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)

You may also see references to a Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), or a Wireless WAN (WWAN).

Local Area Network

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or building.

Computers connected to a network are broadly categorized as servers or workstations. Servers are generally not used by humans directly, but rather run continuously to provide "services" to the other computers (and their human users) on the network. Services provided can include printing and faxing, software hosting, file storage and sharing, messaging, data storage and retrieval, complete access control (security) for the network's resources, and many others.

Workstations are called such because they typically do have a human user which interacts with the network through them. Workstations were traditionally considered a desktop, consisting of a computer, keyboard, display, and mouse, or a laptop, with with integrated keyboard, display, and touchpad. With the advent of the tablet computer, and the touch screen devices such as iPad and iPhone, our definition of workstation is quickly evolving to include those devices, because of their ability to interact with the network and utilize network services.

Servers tend to be more powerful than workstations, although configurations are guided by needs. For example, a group of servers might be located in a secure area, away from humans, and only accessed through the network. In such cases, it would be common for the servers to operate without a dedicated display or keyboard. However, the size and speed of the server's processor(s), hard drive, and main memory might add dramatically to the cost of the system. On the other hand, a workstation might not need as much storage or working memory, but might require an expensive display to accommodate the needs of its user. Every computer on a network should be appropriately configured for its use.

On a single LAN, computers and servers may be connected by cables or wirelessly. Wireless access to a wired network...... Click here to continue...

FreeHand Tutorials

working with line art. you can use it for technical drawings, business cards, letterhead and other business forms. It is fast and easy and has a great feel to it. I think it has the best "snap to point" of all the drawing programs. Working under the pressure of deadlines convinced me that FreeHand was faster and easier than any other drawing program for line art. It's a pleasure working with FreeHand.

FreeHand Drawing Basics Tutorials

The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration - Part 1
The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration - Part 2
The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration - Part 3
The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration - Part 3A
The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration - Part 4
Working With Primitives
Keyboard Shortcuts For The Pen
Keyboard Shortcuts For The Pen - Examples
Practice Templates For FreeHand 8-9

FreeHand Tutorials:

Making Custom Arrowheads In Macromedia FreeHand
Drawing Technique No. 1 For Macromedia FreeHand - 3-Part Series
Drawing Technique No. 2 For Macromedia FreeHand - 2-Part Series
Drawing Technique No. 3 For Macromedia FreeHand - 2-Part Series
Drawing Technique No. 4 For Macromedia FreeHand - 3-Part Series
Drawing Technique No. 5 For Macromedia FreeHand - 2-Part Series
Creating Cool Metallic Gradients in Macromedia FreeHand - 4-Part Series
Using Connector Points in Macromedia FreeHand or Fontographer®
Perspective Drawing Technique For Macromedia FreeHand
Using a Blend as a Fill In Macromedia FreeHand - 2-Part Series
Applying a Gradient Fill Across Multiple Objects In FreeHand

Special Project Tutorial - Vectorizing a Logo From an Image: This tutorial uses Adobe® Photoshop® CS, Adobe Streamline® and Macromedia® FreeHand® MX 2004 ...

Vectorizing a Logo - Part III - Cleanup The Tracing in FreeHand
Vectorizing a Logo - Part VI - Assemble The Vector Logo in FreeHand

The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration (Part Two)

Bezier Curves And The Different Kinds Of Anchor Points

Continuing with the anatomy of vector illustrations, let's now take a look at ANCHOR POINTS (or simply points or nodes...please refer to the table of equivalent terminology in the illustration section of the web site).

Anchor Points

Anchor points are the basis of all objects in a vector illustration and are its most fundamental components. Anchor points have only a few basic properties. However, there are many combinations of these basic properties that result in several variations of anchor points. This can appear overly complex at first glance. The pattern outlined here is very simple and explains all the variations.

All line segments have anchor points at each end which define their position and curve attributes. The name for the resulting curves are called Bezier (pronounced beh-zee-ay) curves. They are named after the French mathematician, Pierre Bezier, who developed a method for defining curves mathematically.

All anchor points fall roughly into two categories:

1. Those having CONTROL HANDLES and
2. Those having NO CONTROL HANDLES

Curves are controlled by control handles extending from the points. These control handles do not print. The direction and magnitude of curves entering and leaving anchor points are determined by the direction and length of the control handles.

Each control handle extending from a point controls only the portion of the curve of the line segment facing the control handle:

Line segments with points having control handles are curved.
Line segments with points having no control handles are straight.

Points And Control Handles

A point can have either:

1. ONE CONTROL HANDLE or
2. TWO CONTROL HANDLES

There is really only ONE handle per SIDE of a point because points between consecutive line segments are shared.

Smooth Points And Corner Points

Points with both handles in line with each other are called SMOOTH POINTS. All other points (except for two specialized ones shown below) are generally referred to as CORNER POINTS.

Line segments whose curves transition smoothly from one anchor point to the next in an unbroken manner are joined by smooth points.

Line segments whose curves do not transition smoothly together are joined by corner points.

The corner point shown above has two handles but a corner point can also have one handle, no handles, join a curved line segment to curved line segment, join a straight line segment to a curved line segment or a straight line segment to a straight line segment. Below are samples of corner points:

Specialized Points

Some point types are unique to certain applications.

CorelDRAW has a specialized smooth point called a "symmetrical node". The lengths of both control handles of a symmetrical node remain equal when either one of them is adjusted:

Although Deneba Canvas™ doesn't have a symmetrical point, the same effect can be produced by dragging the handle of a smooth point with Ctrl (Windows®) or Option (Mac®). When smooth points are first placed, both handles are equally spaced by default. As long as neither handle is altered, the same effect can be produced.

Macromedia® FreeHand® 8 provides a "connector point". It is used to make a smooth transition from a straight line segment to a curved line segment. It actually controls the curve so that it is always tangent to the straight segment. The handle on this point can only move directly in line with the straight segment. You cannot alter the angle of the handle like other points. CorelDRAW also provides two similar points: either a "symmetrical line node" or "line smooth node". These points function the same as the FreeHand 8 point. This is a useful point. All draftsmen have run into this in mechanical drawing:

Click Here To Continue......