IT Learning Centre

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong Workshop for IT Proficiency Test

02 Network & the Internet

IT Test: 4 M.C. Qns. + 1 Practical Qn.

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Contents
◼ What is Computer Network?
◼ Network and Servers
◼ Communication Devices
◼ Transmission Media
◼ Browsing the Internet
◼ Services on Internet
◼ HSUHK Moodle (Forum & Submission box)

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What is Computer Network?

◼ A computer network is a group of
computers and devices interconnected by
communications channels.
Network
Server Printer Printer
computer Server

Network
Cable

Client
computers
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Classification of Computer Network

◼ LAN – Local area network
(Small-sized area, i.e. home and office)
◼ WLAN – Wireless LAN
◼ MAN – Metropolitan area network
(Medium-sized area, i.e. city and town)
◼ WAN – Wide area network
(Large-sized area, e.g. the Internet is the
world’s largest WAN)

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Servers
◼ Networks allow computers to share
resources (i.e. hardware, software, data)
and communicate
◼ In many networks, one or more
computers act as a server.
◼ Server controls access to the resources
on a network.

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Dedicated Servers
File server Stores and manages files

Web server Delivers requested Web pages

Manages printers and documents
Print server
being printed
Database Stores and provides access to a
server database
Network Stores files and runs programs
server centrally
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Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Connect users to the Internet

HSUHK HKSAR

You at home
ISP
(Client)
E.g. HKBN, HKT …
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Dial-up Modem
◼ Modem is for signal conversion device
◼ E.g., over standard phone line:
a. for modulation (converting digital signal
into analog signal by the device modulator)
b. for demodulation (converting analog signal
into digital signal by the device
demodulator).
ISP
User

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Digital Modem
◼ A digital modem is a communications
device that sends and receives data and
information to and from a digital line.
◼ Examples: DSL modem or Cable modem.

Cable Internet Connection 9

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Network Cards
◼ Sometimes called a network interface
card (NIC pronounced nick)
◼ It is a communications device that is
installed in a computer, so that it can be
connected to a network.

NIC for
desktop
computer

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Wireless Access Points (AP or WAP)

◼ It is a central communications device that
allows computers and devices to transfer
data wirelessly among themselves or to
transfer data wirelessly to a wired network
using Wi-Fi.

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Wireless Access Points (AP or WAP)

◼ Access points around campus allow students to
access the school network wirelessly from their
classrooms, the library and other campus
locations.

◼ To access the network, the notebook computer

or mobile device must have built-in wireless
capability or a wireless network card.

Wireless network card

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Hotspot
◼ Hotspot is a physical place where
wireless service is provided.
◼ Examples:
◼ Starbucks, GovWiFi

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Virtual Private Network (VPN)

◼ It provides users with a secure
connection to a cooperate network server,
as if the user has a private line.
◼ VPNs help ensure that data is safe from
being intercepted by unauthorized people
by encrypting data as it transmits
between a notebook computer, smart
phone, or other mobile device and the
cooperate network
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Virtual Private Network (VPN)

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HSUHK VPN
◼ Use HSUHK VPN to access HSUHK library
electronic resources.
◼ https://itsc.hsu.edu.hk/user-
services/sslvpn/

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Physical Transmission Media

◼ Twisted-pair cable
◼ Coaxial cable
◼ Fiber-optic cable

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Wireless Transmission Media

◼ Broadcast radio
◼ Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity):
e.g. 802.11b, a, g, n, ac
◼ Cellular radio
◼ 2G/3G/4G/4.5G/5G
◼ Microwave radio
◼ Satellite
Businesses use wireless transmission media in
locations where it is impossible or inconvenient
to install cables.
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Internet Protocol (IP) address

◼ Every computer on the Internet is
identified by an IP address.
◼ IP address is formed by 4 numbers each
ranged from 0 – 255.

Eg: 205.128.227.5
137.189.123.240

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Domain Name Address

◼ Text version of Internet Protocol (IP) address
◼ Domain Name Server is used to translate the
domain name into a unique IP address
e.g. www.hsu.edu.hk
◼ Top-level domain shows the general purpose
of the website:
◼ Common top-level domain name:
◼ .com: commercial businesses
◼ .edu: education institutes
◼ .gov: government
◼ .net: non-profit making group
◼ .org: non-government but of public interest
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Web browser
◼ An application program that allows you to
view Web pages
◼ Common examples:
◼ Microsoft Internet Explorer
◼ Google Chrome
◼ Mozilla Firefox

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World Wide Web

◼ World Wide Web is a system implemented
on internet for all the internet resources that
are accessible by users using the Hypertext
Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
◼ Then, users can easily access the web
document by Uniform Resource Locator
(URL), e.g.
https://www.hsu.edu.hk/en/about-hsuhk/

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URL
⚫ A web document on the computer network
is located by ” Uniform Resource Locator”

Protocol Domain name Path & File name

https://www.hsu.edu.hk/en/about-hsuhk/

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Search engine
◼ An application program that is used to find
information on the WWW by entering words or
phrases called search text, also called a
keyword.
◼ The information may be a mix of web pages,
images, and other types of files.

Common Search Engines

Google Yahoo! Bing

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Plug-ins
◼ Application programs that extend the capability
of a browser or your computer.
◼ You can download many plug-ins at no cost
from various Web sites.
◼ Also called Add-on or extension.
◼ Examples
• Acrobat Reader
• QuickTime

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Services on the Internet

1. Electronic Mail (E-mail)
2. Instant Messaging
3. Online Social Network

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Electronic Mail
◼ e-mail: Short for electronic mail
◼ One of the original services on the Internet
◼ The transmission of messages and files via
a computer network
▪ Messages consist of simple text or
attachments, such as documents,
graphics, or audio/video clips

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Electronic Mail
⚫ Two forms of e-mail
▪ Free web-based: e.g. Gmail and Hotmail
▪ E-mail program run on your computer:
e.g., MS Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird

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E-Mail Address
◼ Unique name that consists of a user name
and domain name that identifies the user

User ID Domain Name

itlc@hsu.edu.hk
mary@gmail.com

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Instant Messaging
◼ A real-time Internet
communications service that notifies
you when one or more people are
online and allows you to exchange
messages or files
◼ Examples:
⚫ WhatsApp, Line, WeChat,
Skype,…
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Online Social Network

◼ An online community encourages
members to share their interests, ideas,
stories, photos, music, and videos with
other registered uses.
◼ Examples:
◼ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,…

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HSUHK Moodle
◼ Forum
◼ Submission box

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References
◼ Shelly, G. B., Vermaat, M. E., Quasney, J. J. Sebok,
S. L. & Freund, S. M. (2012). Discovering
Computers: Your interactive guide to the digital
world: complete (Chapter 2). Australia: Course
Technology, Cengage Learning.

THE END

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