Introduces the fundamental concepts, purpose and applications of computer networks.
Explores different network classifications based on geographical coverage, purpose and architecture.
Introduces different physical and logical network structures and how network devices are organised.
Provides practical knowledge of the hardware used to build and connect computer networks.
Introduces the physical and wireless technologies used to transmit data across networks
Explains how network communication is structured using standard models and protocols.
Introduces Ethernet technology and the role of MAC addresses in local network communication
Develops practical understanding of IPv4 addressing and network identification
Teaches learners how to divide networks into smaller subnets and introduces IPv6 addressing.
Introduces network switching and provides practical skills for configuring and managing switches.
Teaches learners how to logically separate networks and carry traffic between network segments.
Introduces routing and explains how routers forward traffic between different networks.
Explores essential network services that support addressing, name resolution and internet connectivity.
Provides practical knowledge of wireless networks and access point configuration.
Introduces fundamental techniques for protecting networks, devices and network traffic.
Develops practical skills for managing, monitoring and troubleshooting computer networks.
Introduces modern networking technologies and the role of networking in cloud and virtualised environments.
Enables learners to apply their networking knowledge by designing, configuring, testing and documenting a complete network solution
A computer network is not only made up of computers, cables, switches, routers and other hardware. A network exists mainly to allow users and devices to communicate, access information and share resources.
Network users are the people, organizations or systems that use network services and resources. Network resources are the hardware, software, data, services and communication facilities that are made available through a network.
Modern computer networking connects users, devices, applications and data so that information and resources can be shared efficiently.
For example, in a computer training centre, learners may use computers connected to a network to access:
Internet services
Shared files
Network printers
Learning management systems
Application software
Servers
Online courses
Databases
Shared storage
The people using these resources are network users, while the facilities they access are network resources.
A network user is a person or authorized entity that uses a computer network to access information, applications, devices, communication services or other network resources.
A network user may access the network using:
Desktop computer
Laptop
Smartphone
Tablet
Thin client
Network terminal
Other network-enabled device
For example, a student logging into an online learning platform using a laptop is a network user.
An employee accessing a company's shared files is also a network user.
A bank employee accessing a banking application through the organization's network is another example.
Network users can be found in almost every organization.
Examples include:
Students use networks to:
Access online learning platforms
Download learning materials
Submit assignments
Attend online classes
Research information
Communicate with instructors
Access digital libraries
Teachers may use network resources to:
Upload learning materials
Conduct online classes
Access student records
Mark assignments
Share presentations
Communicate with learners
Access educational applications
Employees use networks to:
Access company systems
Share documents
Communicate
Access databases
Use cloud applications
Print documents
Access organizational resources
Network administrators manage the network and its resources.
Their responsibilities may include:
Creating user accounts
Managing permissions
Configuring network devices
Monitoring network performance
Managing IP addresses
Troubleshooting problems
Applying security controls
Network management includes provisioning, monitoring, maintenance, security and access control.
Managers may use network resources to:
Access reports
Review organizational information
Approve transactions
Monitor operations
Communicate with staff
Access management systems
Some networks allow customers to access selected services.
Examples include:
Online banking
Customer portals
E-commerce websites
Wi-Fi hotspots
Online booking systems
Network users can also be classified according to the level of access they have.
Ordinary users use network resources to perform their normal duties.
For example, an employee may be allowed to:
Access email
Browse the Internet
Use office applications
Access authorized files
Print documents
They may not be allowed to modify network configurations.
Power users may have more technical privileges than ordinary users.
They may be able to:
Install approved software
Configure certain settings
Manage specific resources
Perform advanced tasks
Network administrators have specialized privileges for managing network infrastructure.
They may manage:
Routers
Switches
Firewalls
Servers
User accounts
IP addresses
Wireless networks
Security policies
System administrators manage servers, operating systems, applications and related infrastructure.
Guest users may be given limited access.
For example, a school or office might provide a separate guest Wi-Fi network.
Guest users may be allowed to access the Internet but prevented from accessing internal company servers.
A user account identifies a person or service when accessing a network resource.
A typical account may contain:
Username
Password
User identification information
Group membership
Permissions
Access restrictions
For example:
Username: student01
Password: ********
Group: Students
Access: Learning Resources
Organizations can use centralized directory services to manage users, devices and access permissions. Directory services act as centralized repositories for information about users and network resources.
Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or device.
For example, when a student enters a username and password into an online learning system, the system checks whether the credentials are valid.
Common authentication methods include:
Username and password
PIN
Security token
Smart card
Fingerprint
Facial recognition
Multi-factor authentication
Authentication answers the question:
“Who are you?”
Authorization determines what an authenticated user is allowed to access.
For example:
Student
↓
Authentication
↓
Successful
↓
Authorization
↓
Student Resources
A student may be allowed to access learning materials but not modify the school's financial records.
An administrator may have permission to access additional systems.
Authorization answers the question:
“What are you allowed to do?”
Permissions determine what users can do with network resources.
Common permissions include:
Read
Write
Modify
Create
Delete
Execute
Share
Full control
For example:
| User | Shared Documents | Financial Records | Printer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student | Read | No access | Use |
| Teacher | Read/Write | Limited | Use |
| Accountant | Read/Write | Read/Write | Use |
| Administrator | Full control | Full control | Manage |
Good permission management helps prevent unauthorized access.
Instead of assigning permissions individually to hundreds of users, administrators can create groups.
Examples:
Students
Teachers
Finance
Human Resources
ICT Department
Managers
Administrators
For example:
Students Group
|
+---- Student 1
+---- Student 2
+---- Student 3
+---- Student 4
The administrator can assign permissions to the Students group rather than configuring every student individually.
A network resource is a hardware device, software application, data, service or other facility that can be accessed or shared through a network.
Network resources allow users and devices to perform tasks without every user needing a separate copy of everything.
Networking enables organizations to share data, storage, applications and other resources across connected systems.
Common network resources include:
Files
Folders
Printers
Servers
Databases
Applications
Internet connection
Storage
Email services
Websites
Learning management systems
Network scanners
Network cameras
Cloud services
Processing resources
Network bandwidth
Shared communication services
Files are among the most common resources shared across networks.
Examples include:
Word documents
Excel spreadsheets
PDF documents
Images
Videos
Presentations
Reports
Training materials
Instead of storing every file on every computer, an organization can store files centrally on a file server or network storage system.
A shared folder is a folder made available to authorized users through a network.
For example:
Network Server
|
+---- Training Materials
|
+---- Student Assignments
|
+---- Administrative Documents
Different users can be given different permissions.
A student may have permission to read training materials while an instructor may have permission to add or modify them.
A network printer is a printer connected to the network and made available to multiple users.
Without a network printer, each computer might require its own printer.
With a network printer:
PC1 ----\
PC2 -----\
PC3 ------ Switch ------ Network Printer
PC4 -----/
Multiple authorized users can send print jobs to the same printer.
Network storage provides centralized storage that users can access through a network.
Examples include:
NAS
File servers
Storage servers
Cloud storage
Networked storage can make data easier to share, manage and back up. IBM identifies NAS and SAN as examples of network-based storage solutions.
A server is a computer or system that provides services or resources to other devices.
Examples include:
File server
Web server
Database server
Email server
Application server
Print server
DNS server
DHCP server
Authentication server
For example:
Users
/ | \
PC PC Laptop
\ | /
Switch
|
File Server
The server provides a centralized service to authorized clients.
Organizations often store important information in databases.
Examples include:
Student records
Employee records
Customer information
Inventory
Financial records
Sales information
Examination results
Authorized users can access the database through network applications.
A network can provide access to software applications.
Examples include:
Accounting systems
School management systems
Hospital management systems
POS systems
CRM systems
ERP systems
Learning management systems
Document management systems
A user may run an application on their computer while the application's data is stored on a server.
Internet connectivity is one of the most important network resources.
Users can access:
Websites
Search engines
Cloud services
Social media
Online banking
E-learning
Video conferencing
Digital libraries
An organization may control how different users access the Internet.
For example, students may have restricted access while administrators have broader access.
Bandwidth is another important network resource.
Bandwidth represents the capacity available for transmitting data over a network connection.
For example, an organization may have a 100 Mbps Internet connection.
If many users simultaneously stream high-definition video, download large files and attend video conferences, available bandwidth can become heavily utilized.
Network administrators therefore monitor and manage bandwidth to maintain acceptable performance.
In some network environments, users may access processing power provided by remote servers or cloud platforms.
For example, a user may run an application that performs intensive calculations on a remote server rather than entirely on their local computer.
Cloud computing makes it possible to access computing resources such as processing, storage, software and networking through the Internet.
Networks provide communication services such as:
Instant messaging
Voice calls
Video conferencing
VoIP
Collaboration platforms
For example, employees in Kampala, Masaka and Mbarara can communicate using network-based services without being physically located in the same office.
A school or training institution may provide:
Computer laboratories
Internet
Learning management systems
Online courses
Digital libraries
Network printers
File servers
Student databases
Examination systems
Wi-Fi
Video conferencing
Educational software
Students and instructors can therefore access shared resources from multiple locations.
Businesses may share:
Customer databases
Accounting systems
Inventory systems
POS systems
Printers
File servers
Internet
Cloud applications
Security systems
Networking allows employees and departments to work with common information and applications.
Banking environments depend heavily on network resources.
Examples include:
Banking databases
ATM networks
Branch connectivity
Customer information systems
Payment systems
Online banking
Mobile banking
Security systems
Different users receive different levels of access according to their responsibilities.
Healthcare institutions may use network resources for:
Patient records
Laboratory systems
Medical imaging
Pharmacy systems
Appointment systems
Billing
Communication
Telemedicine
Access must be carefully controlled because health information can be sensitive.
Government institutions may use network resources for:
Employee management
Financial systems
Document management
Public service systems
Databases
Communication
Online services
Records management
Networks help government departments share information and deliver digital services.
Resource sharing means allowing multiple authorized users or devices to use the same network resource.
For example, five employees can share one network printer.
Similarly, hundreds of students may access the same learning platform.
Resource sharing reduces unnecessary duplication and can improve efficiency.
A centralized network resource is maintained in one central location.
For example:
File Server
/ | \
PC1 PC2 PC3
Advantages include:
Easier management
Centralized backups
Easier access control
Consistent information
Reduced duplication
However, centralized resources must be designed with appropriate availability, backup and security measures.
In a distributed network, resources may be located across multiple computers, servers, branches or cloud environments.
For example:
Branch A ----\
Branch B ----- Network ---- Cloud Services
Branch C ----/
Distributed systems can improve scalability and availability but may require more complex management.
In a client-server network, servers provide services and resources to client devices.
Server
/ | \
/ | \
Client Client Client
For example:
A file server provides files.
A print server provides printing.
A database server provides database services.
An application server provides applications.
Client-server architecture is widely used in organizations because resources can be centrally managed.
In a peer-to-peer network, computers can share resources directly with each other.
For example:
PC1 -------- PC2
| |
| |
PC3 -------- PC4
One computer may share a folder with another computer without requiring a dedicated central server.
P2P networks can be useful for small networks, although centralized management becomes more important as the number of users grows.
Users and resources are connected through access.
For example:
NETWORK
|
+----------+----------+
| | |
Users Devices Services
| | |
+----------+----------+
|
Resources
A user requests a resource.
The network determines how the request reaches the resource.
Security systems determine whether the user is authorized to access it.
A simplified process is:
User
|
↓
Login
|
↓
Authentication
|
↓
Authorization
|
↓
Requested Resource
For example:
A student logs into a learning platform.
The system identifies the user.
The credentials are authenticated.
The user's permissions are checked.
The student is given access to authorized courses.
Restricted administrative resources remain inaccessible.
Network resources must be protected from unauthorized access.
Security measures include:
Strong passwords
Multi-factor authentication
Access control
User permissions
Firewalls
Encryption
Antivirus protection
Regular backups
Network monitoring
Security policies
Software updates
A network administrator should ensure that users receive only the access required for their duties.
The principle of least privilege means giving a user only the permissions necessary to perform their work.
For example, a student who only needs to read course materials should not automatically receive permission to delete those materials.
Similarly, an employee who only needs to view a report should not necessarily have permission to modify the underlying database.
A resource is useful only when authorized users can access it when needed.
For example, if an organization's file server is unavailable, employees may not be able to access important documents.
Organizations therefore use:
Backups
Redundant systems
UPS devices
Multiple Internet links
Failover systems
Server monitoring
Disaster recovery plans
These measures help improve availability.
Network resource management involves monitoring and controlling the use of network resources.
Administrators may monitor:
Bandwidth
Storage
CPU usage
Memory
Network devices
IP addresses
User accounts
Applications
Network traffic
Security events
Effective network management helps ensure resources remain available, secure and efficient.
Network resources are increasingly delivered through cloud platforms.
A user may access:
Cloud storage
Cloud databases
Cloud applications
Virtual machines
Cloud networking
Online collaboration tools
The physical infrastructure may be located far from the user, while the network provides access to the service.
Consider a computer training centre with 30 students.
The centre may have:
30 computers
1 server
2 switches
1 router
Wi-Fi access points
Internet connection
Network printer
Shared storage
Learning platform
User accounts
The students and instructors are network users.
The computers, Internet, printer, server, storage and learning platform are network resources.
An office may have:
Internet
|
Router
|
Switch
/ | \
PC Server Printer
| |
Employee Shared Files
Employees are network users.
The server, shared files, printer, Internet connection and applications are network resources.
Choose an organization such as:
School
Bank
Hospital
Internet café
Government office
Training centre
Identify at least ten possible network users.
For each user, state what they use the network for.
Using the same organization, identify at least ten network resources.
Create a table:
| Resource | Purpose | Users |
|---|---|---|
| File server | Stores shared files | Staff |
| Printer | Printing | Staff |
| Internet | Online services | All authorized users |
| Database | Stores records | Authorized staff |
Create three user groups:
Students
Instructors
Administrators
Assign appropriate permissions to:
Learning materials
Student records
Financial records
Printers
Internet
Administrative documents
Explain why each group should have its particular permissions.
Connect two or more computers to a network.
Create a shared folder and configure appropriate permissions.
Test whether authorized users can access it.
Discuss:
Who can read?
Who can modify?
Who can delete?
What happens when access is denied?
On a Windows computer, investigate available network resources.
Identify:
Network adapters
Shared folders
Network printers
Available Wi-Fi networks
Network connection
IP address
Default gateway
Record your findings.
What is a network user?
Give five examples of network users.
What is a network resource?
Give ten examples of network resources.
What is resource sharing?
Explain the difference between authentication and authorization.
What are user permissions?
Why are user groups used?
Explain the purpose of a file server.
What is a network printer?
What is network storage?
Explain how students can use network resources in a training institution.
Explain how employees use network resources in an office.
What is centralized resource sharing?
What is distributed resource sharing?
Explain client-server resource sharing.
Explain peer-to-peer resource sharing.
Why should network resources be protected?
What is the principle of least privilege?
Explain the relationship between network users and network resources.
Choose one organization:
School
Bank
Hospital
Business
Government office
ICT training centre
Prepare a report containing:
At least 10 network users.
At least 15 network resources.
The purpose of each resource.
Which users should access each resource.
Permissions required by each user group.
Security measures required.
A network diagram showing users and resources.
A description of how users access the resources.
Network User – A person or authorized entity that uses network services or resources.
Network Resource – A hardware device, software, data, service or facility accessible through a network.
Authentication – Verification of a user's identity.
Authorization – Determining what an authenticated user is allowed to access.
Permission – A rule defining what a user can do with a resource.
Resource Sharing – Allowing multiple authorized users or devices to use a common resource.
File Server – A server that provides centralized file storage and access.
Network Printer – A printer accessible through a network.
Network Storage – Storage made available to users through a network.
Client – A device or application that requests a service.
Server – A system that provides services or resources to clients.
Administrator – A user responsible for managing systems, networks or resources.
Bandwidth – The capacity available for data transmission over a network connection.
Least Privilege – Giving users only the permissions necessary for their tasks.
Network users are the people or authorized entities that use network services, while network resources are the hardware, software, data and services made available through the network.
Users may include students, teachers, employees, managers, administrators and customers.
Network resources may include:
Files
Folders
Servers
Printers
Databases
Applications
Internet connections
Storage
Cloud services
Communication systems
Processing resources
Effective networks do more than connect computers. They provide controlled access to shared resources.
For a network to operate effectively, administrators must ensure that resources are:
Available
Secure
Properly managed
Efficiently shared
Accessible to authorized users
The relationship can be summarized as:
NETWORK
|
+--------+--------+
| |
USERS RESOURCES
| |
Students Files
Teachers Printers
Employees Servers
Managers Databases
Administrators Applications
Customers Internet
Storage
Cloud Services
Understanding network users and resources prepares learners for more advanced topics such as user management, client-server networking, network security, access control, servers, directory services and network administration.
More learning on network users, shared resources, user accounts, permissions, servers and network administration will be delivered through the Senior ICT Academy Campus.
Learners may receive additional instruction from either a physical instructor or an online instructor.
Campus:
https://campus.seniorictacademy.com/login
Senior ICT Academy:
Senior Computer Services International: