Unit 02: LO 2 - 2.3 - Shared network resources

These are special devices or systems that are accessible to multiple users over a network. Here's how some of them work:

Storage Area Network (SAN)

What It Does: A SAN is like a big, fancy hard drive that multiple computers can access at the same time. Instead of storing your files on your own computer, they're stored on the SAN, making it easier to manage and share data.

How It's Used: Companies often use SANs when they have lots of data that needs to be accessed quickly by many people. For example, all the customer data for an online shop might be stored on a SAN.

Multi-Function Devices (MFD)

What It Does: An MFD is a machine that does more than one thing. Think of a printer that can also scan, copy, and maybe even send faxes.

How It's Used: MFDs are super useful in an office where space might be limited. Instead of having separate machines for printing, scanning, and faxing, you can have one device that does it all.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

What It Does: VoIP lets you make voice calls using the internet instead of a regular phone line. It converts your voice into data that can be sent over the internet.

1.        We talk into a microphone

2.        Computer changes the “analog” signal to digital on the sound card

3.        Computer changes the digital information into packets that then travel over a network through the network interface card

4.        Cables, network, severs, routers, etc.

5.        Process is reversed on the other end

6.        Digital to Analog conversion

7.        We hear the sounds in our headphones

How It's Used: Companies use VoIP to save money on phone calls, especially international ones. It's also useful for video conferencing and other forms of online communication.

Internet Protocol (IP) Cameras

What It Does: These are cameras that send and receive data over a network. Unlike traditional CCTV cameras, IP cameras can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

1.        For a device to be used on the internet, it must have an Internet Protocol (address), e.g. 192.168.1.50

2.        Using certain protocols (rules), TCP/IP, a camera with an IP address can be recording, for example, the surf at a beach

3.        It’s analog (video) capture is converted to digital

4.        Sent over the internet

5.        To a server

6.        Connected to a website, where surfers can check the waves for the day before going

How It's Used: IP cameras are used for security surveillance but can also be used for other things like monitoring traffic or keeping an eye on pets when you're not at home.

So, in a nutshell, these shared network resources help us do more things more efficiently by letting multiple people access the same services or devices.