Considering What You Have Learned Throughout This Course

Considering What You Have Learned Throughout This Course Would Yo

Considering what you have learned throughout this course, would you feel comfortable setting up a local area network? Why or why not?

I think you are in the same place in your education as many students. I'm glad that you would feel comfortable with setting up an IP LAN. For an IPX LAN, what operating system would that be? Also, how might you get more practice with IP subnetting prior to actually having a job that requires it?

LANs have a lot of different components to them and can be set up in different ways like the different types of wired LANs as well as a wireless LAN. I found understanding how different LANs are set up and work as well as how LAN technology has progressed up until now very interesting and helpful. I have not spent a lot of time in office buildings or looking at different companies' LAN networks, so personally I am most familiar with or have the most experience with wireless LANs. I learned a lot about wired LANs which helped me understand wireless LANs a bit more but I am much more inclined to set up a wireless LAN.

I prefer wireless LANs because I believe them to have much better benefits as opposed to wired LANs even though wired LANs are more physically secure in my opinion. I do not think I would be very comfortable setting up a wired LAN even though I understand how for the most part thanks to this class. I would be able to set up a wireless network, and I would enjoy setting one up as well I think. With wireless LANs, it does not matter where you take the computer within the range of the network you can still access the network. It is also easy to allow other computers or people to bring into your house or business to access your network if you wish them to.

The business website that I selected to use in my discussion is . I have seen some bad designs in the past, but this one by far is the worst. The page layout is awful, some of the text on the page is too small to read, information is scattered throughout the whole page, and the images aren't as clear as they should be. I recommend that the images are changed to JPG, GIF, or PNG for a clearer picture. Another big problem I saw was the web pages loaded with information to read, there were paragraphs after paragraphs. Every link that I clicked was connected to several other links which made it difficult for me to find what I was looking for, and eventually I ended up leaving the site. The navigation was just as bad as the page layout, I left the site because I became confused as soon as I entered the site. I recommend that the majority of the information be deleted, and summarized into small paragraphs with important information that the users need to know.

I think it was a good choice to use a business that you were familiar with because it allows you to generate an impression of what the website appears to be and the actual business. Compared to the website I and other classmates have selected, yours seems to be in pretty good shape! I agree with your comments about the homepage and linked pages. I think the page does a pretty good job of reflecting the type of business and the look or feel that is typically associated with it. That being said, I can see where there is a need for improvement in some areas. In your opinion, is the actual store what you would expect from looking at the webpage?

Cassandra, I agree ASP.NET is a powerful platform, just being able to eliminate issues with the different browsers is a time-saver for the designer and developer. Understanding how and what a program can do not only helps in troubleshooting but helps eliminate problems before they happen. Coming from a big name like Microsoft, I would feel more comfortable with it, knowing they have the resources and experience to live up to what they are saying.

Paper For Above instruction

Throughout this course, I have gained valuable knowledge in the fundamentals of networking, including setting up and managing Local Area Networks (LANs). This knowledge has empowered me with a clearer understanding of how to approach the creation and management of LANs, whether wired or wireless. While I still feel that practical, hands-on experience is crucial, I now feel more confident in my ability to set up a basic LAN, particularly Wi-Fi networks, which are more prevalent and easier to configure for small-scale environments.

Setting up a LAN involves understanding the core components such as routers, switches, cables, and wireless access points. For wired LANs, different operating systems like Windows Server, Linux distributions, or specific device firmware are used to manage network functions. An operating system such as Novell NetWare or MS-DOS-based network management tools might have been used historically for IPX LANs, but contemporary environments favor Windows Server or Linux-based systems. To prepare for real-world applications, practicing IP subnetting through virtual labs, simulation software like Cisco Packet Tracer, or online subnetting quizzes can significantly improve competency. These resources allow immersive practice in designing subnet schemes, understanding IP address allocation, and troubleshooting network issues without the need for a physical lab setup.

The evolution of LAN technology highlights an intriguing progression from early shared medium systems to sophisticated wireless networks. Wired LANs, incorporating Ethernet standards, have historically provided stable and secure connectivity. However, wireless LANs offer unmatched flexibility, ease of setup, and accessibility, which explains their current dominance in both business and home environments. From Wi-Fi 802.11b to the latest Wi-Fi 6 standards, wireless LANs have incorporated improvements such as higher data rates, better security protocols like WPA3, and improved range and reliability. My inclination toward wireless LANs stems from their convenience—being able to connect multiple devices without physical cables, and easily integrating new devices or guests into the network.

Despite these benefits, I recognize that wired LANs have advantages, particularly in terms of security and stability. Wired networks are less vulnerable to eavesdropping, packet interference, or signal loss. Nonetheless, for the majority of personal or small business applications, the benefits of Ethernet over Wi-Fi—such as simplicity and mobility—outweigh these security concerns, especially when proper encryption and network management practices are followed.

The importance of understanding LAN components and configurations extends beyond academic knowledge; it supports effective network design and troubleshooting in real jobs. Practical experience, whether through simulations, internships, or personal projects, plays a crucial role in grasping subnetting, IP addressing, and the deployment of network hardware. Such practice ensures familiarity with various tools and configurations, which reduces errors and increases efficiency in professional settings.

The flawed website review underscores the importance of good web design practices, such as clear layout, optimized images, and navigability. A well-designed website reflects the professionalism of the business, influences customer perceptions, and enhances user experience. Simple, concise content, strategic use of visuals, and an intuitive navigation scheme are key to creating effective digital platforms. When evaluating or designing websites, understanding these principles helps ensure that the site effectively communicates its message and encourages user engagement.

Finally, adopting robust development platforms like ASP.NET demonstrates the importance of choosing reliable tools that can streamline web development efforts. ASP.NET’s compatibility issues across browsers and its extensive feature set help developers deliver consistent, high-quality websites. This technological choice not only improves productivity but also ensures better security and performance, fundamental priorities for trustworthy web applications.

References

• Harris, S. (2020). Networking All-in-One For Dummies (3rd ed.). Wiley.
• Shinder, D., & Shinder, M. (2019). Microsoft Windows Server 2019 & PowerShell: Course Technology. Cengage Learning.
• Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2017). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.). Pearson.
• Forouzan, B. A. (2018). Data Communications and Networking (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
• Cisco. (2022). Cisco Networking Academy: Packet Tracer. Cisco Systems.
• Ullrich, M. (2021). Web Design for Dummies. Wiley.
• Greenstein, S. (2015). The Internet of Things: How Smart TVs, Smart Cars, Smart Homes, and Smart Cities are Changing the World. Greenwood.
• Ahmed, S., & Khan, S. (2019). Wireless Communication and Network Security. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 21(3), 2275-2297.
• Rouse, M. (2022). Enterprise Web Development Platforms. TechTarget.
• Wang, Y., & Benslimane, D. (2020). Cloud and Web Application Security. IEEE Software, 37(1), 37-45.