We use it
every day, all the time. We talk about it at length, and we know that today’s
world would come to a standstill if it stopped or would fail. But we do not
necessarily understand its meaning, its full implications, or how exactly it
works. It is the network.
اضافة اعلان
“There’s no
network” or “the network is down” are words that are dreaded and that we hate
to hear or say, though the consequences of such situations would vary from mildly
annoying (“I can’t watch the funny Youtube link my cousin sent me on Whatsapp”)
to real mayhem (“The email service is completely down in the entire Middle East
zone”).
The first word
that comes to our mind after we say “network”, when speaking about computers
and smartphones, is the internet. It is, of course, the core of it all. But the
notion of networking in digital technology is even broader, for it covers devices
that are interconnected in various ways, not necessarily via the internet.
This is the
case for example of local devices, like within a large corporation, and that
are interconnected to server computers physically located on the premises, and then
between them all, even in the absence of internet connectivity.
Networking is
a scientific concept that is essentially based on advanced mathematics, is
taught at college, and that also applies to large services distribution set ups
like those for electricity and water grids. There is, naturally, no need for
the user to understand the mathematics behind it, but to realize the similarity
between all kinds of networks, and the impact on our daily life
.
The Internet
of Things (IoT) is making networks even more critical. With IoT it is not only
computers, smartphones, and tablets that are connected, but virtually any
device that uses electricity and digital circuitry, and that can be fitted with
wireless connectivity of some kind. The list includes surveillances cameras,
smart watches, kitchen appliances, cars, smart TVs, audiovisual equipment, etc.
It virtually has no limits. No one would be surprised to see, for instance, personal
medical monitoring devices such as pacemakers or even prescription glasses
connected to the network one day soon; the practical applications would be
obvious and very beneficial.
The term IoT
was first introduced circa 2000. Starting in 2010, a significant number of
devices became IoTs, and the number has started to grow exponentially since 2018.
What the consumer
must know about networking is to always to have in mind that we, the entire
population of the world, are now all interconnected all the time. That this
automatically implies caring about what we do, say, read, watch, upload, or
download, including where we go! We should constantly be aware about what we
are doing.
We should also
realize to what extent this truly global networking is changing our habits. Take,
for example, using Google Maps to go to somewhere. At first we used to use the
service to get to new, hard to find, or remote places. Now that Google Maps
also indicates where there is traffic congestion on the road, in real time, we
use it to get there faster, even if it is to a familiar place where we often
go.
Being aware of
the importance of the network also means being ready and well equipped to make
the best of it and to be prepared to deal with the unexpected. This starts with
the basic “first things first” approach. Making sure hardware and software are
up to date, well-maintained, and always charged (if wireless or mobile) may
sound obvious, but it is all about discipline and sound organization; about
being preemptive. Ensuring redundancy in cases where networking is critical
also matters.
Users may choose
to have one service provider for their main internet subscription, and another
for their mobile phone subscription, for example. This provides extra security
should one fail, since mobile telecommunications can also provide a separate internet
route, temporarily, even if it may be a bit slower.
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