Networking Basics: Part 1 - Networking Hardware

If you would like to read the other parts in this article series please go to:

• Networking Basics: Part 2 - Routers
• Networking Basics: Part 3 - DNS Servers
• Networking Basics: Part 4 - Workstations and Servers
• Networking Basics: Part 5 - Domain Controllers
• Networking Basics: Part 6 - Windows Domain
• Networking Basics: Part 7 - Introduction to FSMO Roles
• Networking Basics: Part 8 - FSMO Roles continued
• Networking Basics: Part 9 – Active Directory Information
• Networking Basics: Part 10 - Distinguished Names
• Networking Basics, Part 11: The Active Directory Users and Computers Console
• Networking Basics: Part 12 - User Account Management
• Networking Basics: Part 13 - Creating Groups
• Networking Basics: Part 14 - Security Groups
• Networking Basics: Part 15 - Universal Groups & Group Nesting
• Networking Basics: Part 16 - The Windows Operating System's Role in Networking
• Networking Basics: Part 17 - The OSI Model
• Networking Basics: Part 18 - Sharing Resources
• Networking Basics: Part 19 - Share Level Permissions

In the past, all of the articles that I have written for this Web site have been intended for use by administrators with at least some level of experience. Recently though, there have been requests for articles targeted toward those who are just getting started with networking and that have absolutely no experience at all. This article will be the first in a series targeted toward novices. In this article series, I will start with the absolute basics, and work toward building a functional network. In this article I will begin by discussing some of the various networking components and what they do.