So when you open the Exhibitor Manual or Show Kit and you get to the Internet order form you are offered many different varieties of Internet Services. On the form you see things like shared Ethernet, DHCP, dedicated lines, public IP, VPN and T1 and you have no idea what to do.
So what do all these terms mean? We will spend the next 3 hours going over these terms. NO. I’M KIDDING. Since we only block out a few minutes each week I will try to cover the basics and lead you in the right direction to understanding the different terms used on the order form.
Well let’s just start with the term Ethernet. What is Ethernet? Basically, Ethernet is a system for connecting a number of computer devices to form a local area network or (LAN). It has protocols to control the passing of information between devices. It also avoids simultaneous transmissions. In other words it is a way for computers, printers, scanners and other stuff to talk to each other without talking over each other.
A basic hard-wired LAN consists of:
- Two or more computer devices to be connected together, or networked.
- A network interface card, also referred to as a (NIC) card in each device.
Now, you would know that you have a NIC card, also known as an Ethernet card if you have an Ethernet cable termination jack visible on your computer device. This jack will accept an RJ45 8 pin connector which is a little bigger than a regular phone line connector
Number 3 would be an Ethernet cable to connect to each device followed by
Number 4 – A hub or switch to direct network traffic.
Finally you would need number 5 which is networking software.
Next week we will look at number 4 in depth to learn the differences between a hub, a switch, and a router.
As always, please respond with your questions or comments and let others know about EXHIBITOR LOUNGE.COM. We will see you next week. Until then, I am your host Michael Gray telling you to RELAX in the Exhibitor Lounge.