What I Learned from Molyneaux and Drew

Molyneux
Molyneux's discourse on computer networks reinforced many things that I 'kind of' knew about networks, but explained them in plain terms. There were two things in particular that I felt Molyneux explained very well. One was the OSI reference model. I am more familiar with the TCP/IP model, and its four layers, Application, Transport, Network and Link. The OSI model, with seven layers is more complicated, but at the same time allows for a more comprehensive look at networking. The most interesting part of OSI model, I feel, is the physical layer. Before reading Molyneux I felt disconnected from the actual physical process of transferring data. We think of cyberspace and it seems intangible. With the OSI model, that flow of data is not intangible, rather it explains how data is transferred as signals.

"Signals are what layer 1 is about"
This second point finally cleared up the difference between analog and digital signals for me. I knew that analog signals were wave forms. Over time, they are described as having amplitude (the height of the wave), frequency (the duration from peak to peak) and phases (the length of time from zero to peak). Interesting, too, was that the initial infrastructure for data networks was done at Bell Labs. I will have to ask my Dad if he worked on that while he was there! The digital signal is different, simpler construct. The positive peaks are 1's and the negative peaks are 0's. As far as I can tell they can not be manipulated, as analog signals can to produce different sounds, because they are in their simplest form. This makes them more usable, because the sameness means as many as possible can be transmitted to many devices, as long as those devices are equipped to recieve digital signals. There is no loss of quality, merely a need to decide if something was a 1or 0, far easier than cleaning up analog signals.
As for Chapter 2's entry by Drew,
Drew
His explanation of wireless local area networks cleared up some of the mystery, I felt, surrounded them. The library I worked at in Las Vegas had recently implemented wireless access points. I wish I had had the background Drew provides to share with the patrons, about how it works, why it only works in some areas, etc. As for why it only works in several areas, I realize it is because of the available access points, explained by Drew.

"The Access Point (AP) is a transmitter/receiver that acts as a connections between wireless clients and wired networks."

Our library had only one AP, and because of that, instead of users being able to walk anywhere in the building and re-connecting to the network via the next AP, they lose their connection. However, the building is small, only one floor, so the area that is covered is fairly large. Even extending to the parking lot, according to some patrons.
Wireless standards
When we were asked to compare our computer specifications to those set forth by the College of Law, one that I didn't completely understand, but found to information about was the IEEE 802.11. As far as I can tell my computer can use all the standards, according to this article as it displays as IEEE 802.1x. I believe it means that my laptop can talk to a variety of other devices. So far that seems to be the case!