Computers in a networked world

System Fundamentals

A computer can have different roles when we think about networks. You can think of a role as a "service a computer provides". Computers can provide multiple services, and can be both a client and provide a service.

Roles

Roles can include client, server, email server, DNS server, DHCP server, router and firewall.

Role	Description
Client	A client is a piece of computer hardware that accesses a service made available by a server. The server is often (but not always) on another computer system, in which case the client accesses the service by way of a network. The term applies to the role that programs or devices play in the client–server model .
Server	In computing, a server is a computer program or a device that provides functionality for other programs or devices, called "clients". This architecture is called the client–server model.
DNS server	A name server is a computer Hardware or software server that implements a network service for providing responses to queries against a directory service. It translates an often humanly-meaningful, text-based identifier to a system-internal, often numeric identification or addressing component. This service is performed by the server in response to a service protocol request. An example of a name server is the server component of the Domain Name System (DNS), one of the two principal namespaces of the Internet. The most important function of DNS servers is the translation (resolution) of human-memorable domain names and hostnames into the corresponding numeric Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, the second principal name space of the Internet which is used to identify and locate computer systems and resources on the Internet.
DHCP server	The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a standardized network protocol used on Internet Protocol (IP) networks. The DHCP is controlled by a DHCP server that dynamically distributes network configuration parameters, such as IP addresses, for interfaces and services. A router or a residential gateway can be enabled to act as a DHCP server. A DHCP server enables computers to request IP addresses and networking parameters automatically, reducing the need for a network administrator or a user to configure these settings manually. In the absence of a DHCP server, each computer or other device (e.g., a printer) on the network needs to be statically (i.e., manually) assigned to an IP address.
Router	A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers perform the traffic directing functions on the Internet. A data packet is typically forwarded from one router to another through the networks that constitute the internetwork until it reaches its destination node.
Firewall	In computing, a firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

Real-world practical advice

If you work with any professional computer scientist or IT professional, they will assume you understand the different roles a computer can have in a networked world. This is pretty basic stuff, so please memorize it.

Do you understand this material?

You should be able to:

Standards

• Describe the roles that a computer can take in a networked world.

a group or system of interconnected people or things.

a group or system of interconnected people or things.

Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.