Connecting Desktops and Laptops to Networks

CompTIA A + (220-1102) Domain:
Domain 1.0: Operating Systems

CompTIA A+ (220-1102) Objective:
Objective 1.2: Given a scenario, use the appropriate Microsoft command-line tool.
Objective 1.4: Given a scenario, use the appropriate Microsoft Windows 10 Control Panel utility.
Objective 1.6: Given a scenario, configure Microsoft Windows networking features on a client/desktop

Overview

This lab is an introduction to configuring, troubleshooting, and managing a network connection in Windows 10. In today’s modern world, a computer does not act in isolation. It is connected to a network. Computing devices on a network can have different specialized roles on the network. A client’s job is to access resources and services on the network. A server’s job is to provide resources and services on a network. A peer can act as both a client and server. A gateway/router is a specialized device that allows computers to communicate over a local and/or wide area. Its job is to route pieces of information called a packet from a source to a destination. There are several specialized services that you will review in this lab. A Web server serves up Web pages. A Web client, called an Internet browser, requests Web pages from Web servers. An e-mail server serves up e-mails. An e-mail client requests e-mails.

Outcomes

In this lab, you will learn to: 

  1. Examine, set, and configure an IP address. 
  2. Work with Internet browsers. 
  3. Troubleshoot common network client problems. 
Courses

Key terms and descriptions

Network
A network is one or more computers connected to each other to allow for communication between them.
Client
A network client is a computer that requests resources (i.e., files/folders, printers, etc.) from the network.
Server
A network server is a specialized computer that provides services (i.e., files/folders, Web, e-mail, etc.).
Peer
A peer is a computer that requests and provides services/resources to other computers.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
A network interface card is communication hardware that allows a computer to communicate on a network.
MAC Address
A MAC address is a specialized address on an NIC that allows a computer to communicate on a network.
IP Address
An IP address is a specialized address that defines a computer on the network. Usually, it looks like 192.168.1.1 where part of the address defines the network ID and the rest of the address is called a host ID.
Domain name
A domain name is the name that a computer uses to identify itself on the network. Usually, it looks like www.google.com.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a specialized service that allows a gateway device to assign IP addresses to host computers. A DHCP client is software that is used to request an IP address for a computer/host.
DNS
The Domain Name System is a specialized service that provides a mapping between a domain name and an IP address.