Evaluate Wide Area Network (WAN) technologies Essay

Evaluate Wide Area Network (WAN) technologies - Essay Example LAN provide networking capabilities to a small group of computers close to each other such as at home, office or campus. A family can share resources including files, printers, telephone devices and games via LAN. Its main function is to link computers in a network. Its installed in the available PCI ports inside the computers and consist of a unique Media Control Access address. WLAN card allows wireless connection between computers in a network (Bachmann & Stern, 2010). LAN cards can be connected to Ethernet cables via BNC and AUI twisted pair sockets. It’s a network point acting as an entrance to a network and also connects a LAN to the internet. In large enterprises computer server functioning as a gateway can also double up as a proxy server and a firewall server. A hub is a device with multiple ports (6, 8, 16, and 24 ) used to connect all computers with each other in a LAN. Data packets at the hub are broadcasted to all computers. In contrast, a switch directs data to a particular intended port by use of addresses. It acts as a filter thus reduces the amount of traffic on a network. They are used to regenerate or amplify signals that span a limited distance before their quality degrades. They also remove unwanted noise from incoming signals and transmit messages in networks that operate with different protocols. Computers in different rooms and a printer would require a repeater to work efficiently (Habraken, 2009). A large enterprise consisting of hundreds of users and a manufacturing plant typically employs LAN to connect to the Internet WAN via Internet Service Providers. In addition to the above mentioned devices the following devices are necessary; A modem is a communication device that modulates and demodulates digital and analogue data respectively. It converts digital signals produced by the computers into voice frequencies that can be transmitted over telephone

Analyzing the Ways the Media Represent the American Economy Essay

Analyzing the Ways the Media Represent the American Economy - Essay Example This is even worsened by the declaration that "central bankers grappled with the growing uncertainty about which direction the economy is headed" (3). The second article expresses the gloomy projection of the International Monetary Fund when it cuts its forecast for economic growth in the United States this year to 2.2 percent (IMF Cuts 1). It can be recalled that during 2006, the nation's economy grew by 3.3 percent (3). The slowdown is attributed to the expected weak performance of the nation's housing market. It is projected that this deceleration will cause the United States to lag behind other economic giants including Britain, Canada, and Japan. This will be the first time that US will not lead the Group of Seven nations in terms of economic growth (6). Generally, the media portrays the American economy in a downslide. The nation's struggle in keeping its inflation stable and sustain economic growth appears to be in vain. It should be noted that the media uses a rather pessimistic tone in describing the US economy. Downbeat news article titles like "Greenspan: Recession 'possible' by end of year" and "The American Economy is Destroying Itself" loudly communicates the media's pessimism coupled with some sensationalism.