Week 6 Readings

Wikipedia: Local Area Network and Computer Network

I. Ways to classify networks
A. Scale
1. PAN - personal workspace (computer + printers, scanners, fax, etc.)
2. LAN - small area like a home, office, or building; usually multiple computers connected to shared external devices
3. CAN - connects LANs but in a contiguous area (college campus, military base)
4. MAN - connects LANs or CANs and covers a town/city area
5. GAN - still in the defining stages, goal of supporting mobile coverage between any number of networks
6. Internetwork - describes various types of interconnection between networks
a. Intranet - set of networks controlled by a single administrator, with only authorized participants
b. Extranet - single organization, but with limited external connections to trusted entities
c. Internet - backbone of the WWW, worldwide interconnection of networks
B. Connection Method
1. Physical Wiring connections: include Ethernet, optical fiber, etc.
2. Wireless technology: uses radio waves
C. Functional Relationship: e.g. active networking, client-server, peer-to-peer
D. Network Topology: describes logical relations of network devices (as opposed to physical network layout)
II. Basic Hardware Components
A. Network Card/Adapter/Interface Card
B. Repeaters: retransmit signals to allow a signal to cover a longer physical distance in a network
C. Hubs: copies a packet for retransmission through several ports
D. Bridges: copies traffic to several ports, but selectively (unlike hubs)
E. Switches: include routers and bridges, or other devices that distribute traffic through all or selected ports
F. Routers: use headers and forwarding tables to use the best path to forward packets between networks

Management of RFID in Libraries

It was interesting to learn about the wide variety of common technologies based on RFID. For inventory identification purposes, it is easy to see how useful this technology could be for libraries and retail store use. But it is even more worthwhile an investment in libraries, since these are unique in that inventory recirculates many times. An added function is security. Though, as the article discusses, it is not a rock-solid theft prevention method, it is no worse than other library security measure and saves money since security is a double-duty.

Yet another advantage are the saved time and money resources, especially in inventory. Not only does this technology allow several items to be scanned at once, but since no direct line of 'sight' is required, books can remain on shelves to be scanned.

Even though several disadvantages are discussed, none of them seem devastating, and I would imagine that issues such as bulky tag size will be resolved with further development of the technology.