P5- Describe typical
services provided by networks
Describe typical services provided by
networks.
Directory services: used for e.g.
Account
management
Account
management is important for many networks and the users connected to it as it
allows for certain powers for each user. Account management has the power to
edit the user and the type of account it is, adding and removing users of the
network and granting accessing to specific areas but normally this is strictly
monitored. Many important organisations use this that manage a large number of
users so for example when a new person joins the organisation a new user is
created using the account management and their policies are set and the same
rule applies when a person leaves the organisation. Account management can also
chance powers for certain users for example a higher level person in the business
which gained promotion can get higher access to be a computer administrator and
allow for local machine editing.
Authentication
management
Authentication
management is a service normally that is used for form ID and in operating
system users. All the different users connected will have different authorities
such as some can access the network and use resources of the public network and
access the printer connected to the network and authentication management takes
care of this by verifying specific things about the user. There are many
authentication management methods such as Passwords (Depending on the
complexity of the password it will be verified using different methods),
Encrypted Certificates (often certificates are provided for some level of
authentication), Smart Card (which can be scanned and verify
Active
directory
Active
directory is another type of directory service made by Microsoft Corporation. This
can be used in small or big networks. This kind of directory can store entire
objects and verify the directory to authenticate it. However active directory
is only installed in special network operating systems as this is a special
feature to manage networks. For example it can verify all users and computers in
the windows domain network and enforce security policies, so when a person
logins into a computer and submit the password active directory will check
whether the password was correct in the first place and also it will decide
whether the user is an administrator, guest or a normal user. However it also
use in telephones and telephone directory. For example it will sort, look up
and request information based the original request.
DNS
DNS
Stands for domain name server and is very important for the internet and every
network connected. DNS Translates domain names that are normally in alphabetic so
they are easier for humans to remember and then they are translated into IP
Addresses. For example www.google.co.uk can be translated
into 192.165.261.3. DNS Runs special purpose network software to find each of
the addresses over the internet. For example your web browser acts as a DNS Client
that issues a request to the DNS Server normally on a database so navigation is
made easier, there are many DNS Servers all with different hierarchy and if one
of the lower ones don’t find it the next higher one is needed and finally one
the request is fulfilled it will flow back from the chain of DNS Servers to the
client so they can get the webpage they requested for. Of course DNS Servers
are fast and everything happens in a blink of an eye otherwise it will cause
further delay. Furthermore many large scale businesses can purchase permanent ones
so it can be much faster for users finding their website to get information.
Telecommunication services: communication e.g.
Email
Email
is the most popular and widely used communication method because of its ease of
use. Emails allow for communication via text however other things can be
implemented into the email such as files, images, videos, music and even other
links. Without emails none of this communication wouldn’t be possible or an
even longer method would be required. Emails have their own email address which
is kind of like there ID and when other users want to send emails this email
address is required otherwise it just won’t send. Emails just like everything
else in the network require protocols for sending and receiving which are
normally POP3 and SMTP for correct email delivery and then report back to the
person sending the email if it was successfully delivered or not. Furthermore
for emails to be viewed a client software is required such as Microsoft Outlook
however it can also be web based such as Gmail, Yahoo mail, Mail bird 2.0, Thunderbird, Inky, eM client, Claws Mail etc
and most of these are free to use. And finally without
an email server none of these emails can be stored. Email clients are useful
for businesses as multiple email addresses from different email client can be
used on the same application and the switch between them is very easy and save
a lot of time
Internet
relay chat (IRC)
Internet
relay chat is an application that allows for communication using
telecommunication networking. IRC are computer programs that can communicate
with a form of text. The good thing about this is it allows for instant
messaging rather than waiting extra time for a message. Now as this has
improved the protocols can allow for more than 2 people to just be connected.
Some examples of IRC can be Undernet, Talk City etc. Everything through IRC is
very secure and private to make sure other connections are not connected and
sharing the privacy. An IRC Server is needed and is responsible for storing and
broadcasting the messages. But the only disadvantage is that every user
connected must have the IRC Client to precipitate in the chat. Furthermore many
commands can be added to the IRC Chat to make something happen for example you
can type in /join to join a particular group chat.
Discussion
boards
Discussion
boards are just like real life but can be used on computers and over networks.
Normally it is like a bulletin board which the user can setup so other users
can read this bulletin board and leave a message. Discussion boards can be
operated and created by many websites however special software is also
available for the download. Discussion boards allow for a good discussion to be
taken place so thoughts and ideas can be shared using different materials such
as picture, videos, text, music etc. The best thing about discussion boards is
they allow for people to communicate over different networks from miles away in
different locations, just like emails. Discussion boards can be used for
various ways such as a student asking a question on a topic, employees from
different businesses discussing topics together etc. So in basic terms it is
similar to online forums. Some examples of discussion board software are Board
Portal Software, phpBB, myBB etc.
Remote access
Remote
access is a need for modern day networking as it allows users to access files
and other documents without being at the actual desktop location. Normally the
user accessing the files is on a different network so they can usually use a
software that will content and configure the connection between them and the
other host.
Mobiles
Remote
access can also be used via mobile phones as technology is now implemented into
these smartphones. For example on android and IOS you can get apps such as
Netop Mobile and Team Viewer which is successfully popular. You can then
connect your mobile phone to a desktop computer and then control features such
as transfer files from mobile to computer, access a desktop with all the
features and programs and remotely administer unattended computers such as
servers. Just like the remote desktop some authentication is required but say
for example you are connecting to workstation, as long as it’s on standby and
connected to the internet with a remote desktop connection allowed you can
connect with it from the other side of the globe on a completely different
network. Furthermore normally the same software will be required on the device
for it to connect but as smart phones there are like miniature computers.
Remote
desktop
Remote
desktop software is the most commonly use software in any operating system as
it is easy for users to use. Normally only a few things are required such as
the IP Address, computer name, username, location and other network addresses.
Once everything entered it should be able to connect to the other system and
there servers. Many locations use this feature such as big businesses that need
help or troubleshooting with other companies or customer problems or colleges/
universities to let students access work from other places. Remote desktop
software can also be implemented with the operating system, for example Windows
has “Remote Desktop Connection” that allows for remote desktop operating.
However other open source and freeware programs can be downloaded. Remote
desktop has many good features such as capturing the users mouse and keyboard
for it to be in real time in the actual software which makes this so much
easier but furthermore some remote desktop software’s also support real-time
file transfer where you can simply drag a file from your own personal computer
to the remote desktop connection then storing it on the server.
Of
course you cannot just gain authentication into any old remote desktop
connection where normally a username and password is required to login. The
uses of remote desktop can be used for various things such as remote
administration and cloud computing.
Social networking
Social
networking can also be used in remote access.
File services:
File
transfer
File
transfer in very important whether is done over a network or just offline. File
transfer can be done over the internet in numerous ways such as over the cloud,
remote access or through normal cabling. File transfers over the internet are
normally done over the file servers which stores all the files and documents
uploaded to that store and anyone access that server can download the files
they require. File transfer is just like data transfer which can be done in two
ways like uploading or downloading a file. Again just like anything over the
network protocols are required for the connection to be setup securely and be
maintained smoothly. Like a stated previously file transfer is become
increasing popular through cloud storage which can allow for good transmission
speeds of course depending on your speed. Furthermore they also give a lot of
storage for files to be uploaded. File transfers can be done over one computer
to another computer or on another entirely different network however it can be
also done to storage mediums such as a hard disk or USB Device. Furthermore for
the file transfer to be done quicker it can be compressed into a smaller files
or split into different parts for it to speed up quicker especially for larger
files. This is all thanks to telecommunications otherwise it will be much
harder for this process.
File
sharing
File
sharing is exactly what it sounds like and offers access to the documents and
files to other users which are on a different network. Resources can be spread
to easily which is the main culprit for pirating and entertainment industry
losing billions every year. File sharing can be done by various ways when a
document is uploaded to a file server and that server can share the information
for that file, the download links for this this file can be wrote in different
places so people can download the file, again this allows for direct access and
very fast transfer speeds. However file sharing files can also distributed via
peer to peer networks using peer networking software’s, normally a broad range
of material is shared using this however it doesn’t offer direct access and the
file is stored in many different computers which will be seeding the file
(uploading) and this can throttle the speed majorly not allowing for the best
transmission speeds.
Application services: application software
e.g.
Database
Databases
are important for any one that needs to store information as they can store a
lot of this in a special way using algorithms so the database doesn’t become
too big of a file. Databases allow for good management of the details included
as they can easily be updated from the tables to all the way to the queries.
For example large businesses would have many centralised databases to store
customer information and details such as personal information, credit card
information etc. Databases normally use software such as Microsoft access which
can allow for further database adjustments such as numerical values, images and
other text features. Database models can also be administrated by the network
managers or business heads.
Web
Proxy
Web
proxy is an application that is used over networking to allowing for secure
networking, better networking performance and anonymity. Web proxy applications
can be downloaded to many operating systems as well as being used over the
internet for example some of these can be Ultrasruf, WinGate, CCProxy, Fiddler
etc. These are just a few examples that are free however there are many that
are paid for as well. Web proxy requires an internet connection so when you
visit the website the server will back up the history of that web page and
other webpages you visit, so again you can be anonymous on a network. There are
many uses for a proxy such as the proxy will filter encrypted data, bypass
censorship or any blocking over the original network connected, and improve
performance as the cache stores previous websites visited, translation for
around the globe, security can make sure annoying using trackers cannot hunt
down the original request for the website and further providing anonymity. Web
proxy applications usually allow users to type a website request and the
request will be sent to the proxy server, an everyday application that acts
like this can be Google chrome and Firefox however advanced applications as the
ones stated above can also be used.
Shared resources
Printing
Printing
is a shared resource for many large scaled businesses, offices, schools and
universities. Printers can be shared over the network so many computers can
access the files being scanned or the look at the documents being printed.
Shared printing is the biggest cost and space saver as only one printer can be
used of a whole room which just a simple Cat5 cable and switch connecting it
all together rather than buying separate printers. Shared printing is the best
for businesses that print of confidential documents all the time as only the
computers connected on the network can gain access to the printer and without
authentication they cannot. This printing can be done wirelessly with a
wireless printer or wired through a normally printer however for wireless
printing everything should be in range and every computer must have a Network
interface card. With shared printing document transfer is done much more easily
and at a faster rate. Furthermore with share printing not only computers can be
connected by also other devices such as Tablets and phones can be connected and
can also print documents.
Voice
over IP (VoIP)
Mobile
networking
Authentication
Users
User
authentication is very important for highly protected networks that operate on
a large scale and have many confidential documents. With user authentication it
allows for identity to be logged into network resource, this is normally done
via user name and passwords and the network resource can be anything such as a
server. Further authentication is usually done after this such as monitoring
through the software based firewall which will check secure connections. User
authentication is used in many places such as Remote desktop access to login to
the desktop remotely on another network, FTP for get files from a secured
server and also HTTP as many webpages require authentication when logging into
the website such as Outlook, Twitter etc. Authentication the most important
when used in the dynamic IP Addresses for different computers and most of the
time proper identification is required before letting the user access the
networks resources. For example many users can only authenticate one user per
network and computer. However many organizations using this are getting very
strict with this, for example if you use PayPal the same device you login and
use PayPal with will be logged on their servers but when that is changed and
your using a computer on a different network it might not be straight forward
logging in and further authentication might be required as it doesn’t normally
recognise this device.
Hardware
Hardware
authentication is also used in many ways for security in physical devices to
grant access to the right users and not the wrong. Just like User
authentication, hardware authentication protects sensitive data on the device
the authentication is required. This can be used in many devices including
computer devices, tablets, phones, electronic scanners etc. For example a
popular example you might see this on is the iPhone with its fingerprint
scanner, without the correct fingerprint you cannot access to the phone and any
of the data on the phone. However in many organisations now a day’s special
optical recognition can be used which is based on genetic and biometric data.
For example a retina eye scanner can be used to scan your eyes to allow for
authentication however this technology is expensive and therefore it’s only
used in high level organisations.
