IAS Computer References
Information Systems and Services
International & Area Studies
UC Berkeley
Network Overview
A lot is going on behind the scenes of your computer
that is not necessarily obvious just by looking at it. One of the main
things to know about your computer is that you are part of a network,
that is, a group of interconnected computers. By being connected to the
network, your computer is able to share files, share printers, and exchange information with other computers.
A network interface card inside your computer gives
it the ability to communicate with the network. A telephone-like cable
comes out of your computer from the network interface card and plugs into
a jack on the wall, providing you connectivity with the rest of the network.
Your Identity
Your computer communicates two very important pieces
of information to the rest of the network: your IP address and your
Microsoft Windows NT computer name. Both of these pieces of information communicate your identity to the rest of the network. The IP address communicates your
identity to the Internet, and your computer name communicates your
identity to the IAS Windows NT Domain.
More information on the Internet and the IAS Domain
Last updated: 05/22/98 by jef