A Networking Shift

Are mobile devices and the cloud changing the network infrastructure?

Local area networks (LANs) have been a key building block in the network infrastructure for decades. However, in this Computerworld article from Evan Schuman, he explores the impact mobile devices and the cloud are having on LANs.

Schuman explores the theory that mobile is killing the LAN. Steven Sprague of Rivetz, a cybersecurity firm, believes that our increasing reliance on mobile devices and cloud services is making the LAN obsolete. Although Schuman disagrees, he does admit that Sprague makes some good points. Schuman thinks we need to look at the long-term changes that have already begun. He also stresses the need for improved authentication procedures.

Supporting Web Links

Discussion Questions/Activities 
  1. This article provides an opportunity to discuss network fundamentals and the differences between local area networks, mobile networks, and cloud computing. Ask students how much of their computer-related tasks are performed using a home network (or college network) vs. using mobile technology and cloud services.
  2. Divide the class into small groups and ask each group to explore a different type of network LAN, WAN, PAN, etc.), being sure to include mobile networks. Each group should prepare a presentation showcasing the pros and cons of each type of network. Each group should also discuss aspects such as security and the viability of the network going forward.
  3. As an individual project, ask students to review the main article and conduct further research. Do they agree that LANs are becoming obsolete? What, if any, role will they play in the future of network computing? Students should write a brief paper outlining their findings and position and should be prepared to defend their opinion.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lights, Camera, Render!

Image
Computer networks make animated movies possible. Old-school animated movies were hand-drawn, frame by frame. It took time and skill. Today's digitally animated movies also take time and skill, but not in the same way. Jon Gold of Network World looks at how DreamWorks uses technology to create blockbuster movies like Moana and Shrek . Hundreds of digital artists work to bring an animated movie to life. Each artist generates huge amounts of data. The numbers are staggering - the average movie may have 350TB of data contained in more than 500 million files. Handling this amount of data poses challenges for an ordinary network. Gold describes how DreamWorks has set up their network to respond to the workload and the changing needs of the film studio throughout the film's production. Supporting Web Links Team accelerates rendering with AI What is Rendering?  How Network Rendering Works The Benefits of Using a Render Farm Render Farms: The Ultimate Time-Sav
Keep reading

Writing in Style

Image
A guide to creating professional-looking documents. Microsoft Word has been around for more than 30 years, so you can be forgiven for thinking you know everything there is to know about this software application. Word is arguably Microsoft's most well-known and most used application and every edition contains new features. Learning and using them all is probably not something many people will bother to do. However, you don't need to master every feature in Microsoft Word in order to create useful, polished documents. In this MakeUseOf article, Joel Lee talks about the importance of good design. He sets out 10 simple design rules and explains the importance of each one. Following these rules can help make your reports, letters, and resumes look better and be more user-friendly too. Supporting Web Links Windows 10 Tip: How to use LinkedIn and Microsoft Word to help you write your resume How to Use the LinkedIn Resume Assistant in Microsoft Word Word help center Video:
Keep reading

Shutting Down Stream Ripping

Image
A recent court decision shuts down a site. Copyright on the Internet can be tricky and finding a definitive answer explaining all the rules can be even harder. But, when it comes to downloading YouTube videos and converting them to MP3 format -- a process known as stream ripping, a California court just shut down a popular website used for this purpose. Torrent Freak's Ernesto writes about the ongoing battle between the YouTube-MP3 site and the RIAA. The site was taken to court last year for copyright infringement by the RIAA, which represents a number of record companies. Ultimately the parties agreed to a settlement in favor of the RIAA and the YouTube-MP3 site has been shut down permanently. Supporting Web Links YouTube Stream-Ripping Site Shutting Down Download YouTube Videos on Android … Legally How to download YouTube videos to iPhone & iPad How to Download YouTube Videos The best free YouTube downloader 2017 Download Thousands of Free Music Tra
Keep reading