So there’s a lot of users in the workforce that confuse terminology, and inadvertently say the wrong thing to their IT support. This post is about correcting some of those misperceptions. That way, when you talk with your Tech Support, you can say the right things (hopefully) and get them on the right path. Because if you say server, and you mean wi-fi, you can send your tech support down the wrong path (and thus take a lot longer to fix your issue).
1. Network – This is any setup that allows one computer to talk with another. Any method that allows two computers to interact is a network. There are a lot of types of network, but there are two categories that most users care about: wired (or LAN), and wireless (or WI-FI). More on these terms later.
2. Server – This refers to an actual machine type, called a server. It has a special operating system. There are three versions, Windows Server, Linux Server (which has several sub-versions, called distros), and Unix Server. Some applications are accessed on a server. Some network items are done from servers – such as your account and relevant password, anything done by Citrix, emails, websites, and much more.
3. LAN/Wired network – This is when you plug a network cable into your laptop/desktop/netbook. It uses a special type of cable, the most prolific of which is known as an “ethernet” cable, or RJ-45. It looks like a phone plug, but larger.
4. Wireless/Wi-fi – This is a huge up-and-coming technology. Like anything else in computers, there are several types. But for simplicity’s sake, we’ll leave it in general terms, and just call it “wireless”. There’s been some misconception about wireless – it only refers to networking, nothing else. For some reason, a lot of people think that it refers to wireless power (thus no need for a charging cable), which is absurd.
Wireless networking requires two items: a wireless router or wireless access point, and a wireless-capable device. The device is usually a tablet, cell phone or laptop. The “wireless” is only between these two items. Some confusion is people thinking the router didn’t need to be plugged into the wall. There still need to be power and network cables between the router/AP and the wall; just not between the router/AP and the laptop/device.
The general range of wireless is a couple of hundred feet if you’re really crazy lucky. House walls and lots of power lines and metal construction can interfere with signal. Most of the time is pushing it after 50 feet in real-world conditions.
5. Bluetooth – this is a type of wireless that requires a special mention here. It’s a type of radio signal (similar to your car radio), but with a very short range; about 35 feet. It has to be “paired” with devices, so the bluetooth-capable device has to have a passcode to connect. The most common use of bluetooth technology is between a cell phone and headphones. Though, it can be used between a computer and other devices: printers, speakers, docking stations, keyboards, mice, and even between a computer and a cell phone or another computer.
6. Internet – This is the network of all networks. It is a network of networks. Connecting to anything beyond your own building/house/structure is almost certainly going to the Internet before it gets to the destination. The Internet carries the signal from computer to websites or other buildings/cities/countries.
7. Intranet – This is an internal network, meaning it’s only accessible if you’re connected to the same network as the other device (the internet doesn’t count, as it’s not one network, it’s millions of networks). Some portions of a company’s network can only be asked if you’re on the same network; some websites, email, etc. If your intranet is not available, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your internet is down. The reverse is also the case; just because the internet is down, doesn’t mean your intranet is not working. If both are not working, then it’s a local network issue, or a problem with your PC not connecting.
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