User training methods for five core network technology areas

¶ … Network Technology, Structure, and Protocols

Training users on how to get the most out of a computer network needs to be a continual, recurring process to make sure all the lessons are learned well over time. For many new users, there are literally hundreds of questions they have with regarding how to work with a network and get their jobs done, in addition to connecting with friends and family. There are five core areas of networks that people need to learn about the most however, and they are profiled in this analysis. Each area of networking is defined and what people should know about them, and why they should know it. In addition, a recommendation is made as to the best way to teach people about these technologies as well.

Fundamentals of Network Performance

There is a tendency on the part of new users to expect real-time, instant response from networks. This expectation has been created in part by the marketing and selling of networks by cable companies and world-known websites who promise amazing performance. Instead network performance varies significantly by time of day even in the same location. New users should know that there are many factors impacting overall network performance, from load levels of users in the same building, on the same T1 access lines, even to the level of system software supporting connections as well (Gilmer, 2010). All of these factors play a pivotal role in the performance of a given computer network at any point in time. The best way to teach people about this is to show them via graphical examples including infographics, videos and through the use of network analyzer equipment to show the overall performance of a network in real-time. Using a network analyzer to explain this point will be comparable to taking a car for a drive and watching the speedometer, as network analyzers can in real-time explain why and where networks are performing well or not. All of these elements would add to the education of someone learning about networks for the first time.

Cabling

Increasingly, computer networks are being defined by their Wi-Fi connections. Yet the backbone of every network includes cabling. It is essential for people just getting started on computer networks to realize how critical the various types of cabling used is. There are many different types of cable, yet the most prevalent that many users will run into is called CAT5 (or Category 5 cabling for short) (Gilmer, 2010). This type of cabling is essential for the creation of any network, hence the need for new users to understand the specifics of this type of cabling. There is also the need for understand how cabling working so when consumers set up their own networks at home, the thoroughly understand how this aspect of networking functions. The best way to teach people about networking is to set up a router, hub and switch and have them actively test out how it works on laptops and other devices.

Device Drivers Network Connectivity at the Operating System Level

The critical link in any device are the software that connects the network to the actual smartphone, tablet PC or laptop. How device drivers work is a critical skill for any consumer to understand, as they will often have to troubleshoot this to get their devices working again. Consumers need to know how to troubleshoot if a devices' drivers are not working, and also how to re-install them. Device drivers are so well designed today they can be quickly tested and evaluated through common, easily-learned steps (Gilmer, 2010). The best approach to teaching this is to concentrate on how device drivers are installed and work, showing consumers how this can be achieved within minutes.

Network Security

The most critical area of knowledge for anyone is to appreciate how security works on a network. Network security is often multifaceted with several different levels associated with role-based access relative to resource-based requirements as well. The ability to define role-based security, enabling it throughout a network, is critical for protecting information and application-based assets (Solomon, 2003). This is critical for any consumer to understand as many will eventually have networks throughout their homes as well. In teaching this skill set, the best approach is to illustrate through example how quickly a network can be hacked, and the costs of these over time. This makes the issue of security very real to consumers. Second, showing how to create an effective personal strategy for protecting information online is essential. Often this can be taught through online videos in addition to creating online tutorials as well.