Abstract
The convergence of information and communication technology as embodied in the Internet has transformed the present day society into a knowledge society. Earlier, information and knowledge were passed by word of mouth or through manuscripts, and communication was a slow process, but today information is passed from one individual to an infinite number of other users through a number of media and formats which makes rapid and widespread dissemination of information possible (Preeti, 2006). This information dissemination has been so easy today due to the advent of computer network. Computer network is the interconnection of two or more computers for the purpose of sharing resources; this may involve the sharing of common database, software, printer etc. In networking, one may use peer-to-peer model or the client/server model. The peer-to-peer model is a decentralized networking model, which means all account administration is local to each machine and each machine maintains its own account database. In this model, each computer is equal or “peer” of the others. None of the members has total control over the others. This networking may involve the use of hub if the systems are more than two but none of the workstation has total control of the others. However, client/server type of network model is the type of network model, which is defined by the presence of server on the network that provides security and administration of the network. The server enables centralized database security and backup (Adogbeji & Adomi, 2005). In order for the cyber cafés in Nigeria to be able to have access to the entire world and give access to users, there comes the need to network their computers. This they do using client/server model and star topology. This chapter investigates networking patterns in cybercafes in Delta state. It explores the types of network adopted locally, types of networking model adopted in the cafes, reasons for adopting the models, types of networking topology adopted and problems inherited in the networking pattern adopted. Recommendations for improvement are also set forth.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Computer Networks: This is the interconnection of two or more computers for the purpose of sharing resources; this may involve the sharing of common database, software, printer, etc.
Network Model: In networking, one may use peer-to-peer model or the client/server model. The peer-to-peer model is a decentralized networking model, which means all account administration is local to each machine and each machine maintains its own account database. In this model, each computer is equal or “peer” of the others. None of the members lords over the others. This networking may involve the use of hub if the systems are more than two but none lords over the other. However, client/server type of network model is the type of network model, which is defined by the presence of server on the network that provides security and administration of the network. The server enables centralized database security and backup
Database: Database is a collection of files containing related information. Database consists of files and each file consists of records. Furthermore, each record consists of fields, which can be used to store the raw facts or data.
Software Protocol: These are software channels through which computers access or see one another. NETBEUI is designed for LAN while TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol) is designed for wide area network connection (Internet).
Protocol: A protocol is an agreed upon set of standards, which define how computers communicate. All connections on the network must have at least one set of protocols in common in order to communicate. There are two types of protocol, hardware and the software protocol.
Topology: The topology of a network describes its layout or the pattern of cabling used to connect personal computers (PC) together. It is the physical layout of the cables that connect the nodes of the network. There are three basic topologies: bus, ring and star topologies.
Cyber Cafés: Cyber cafés, in this sense are places where Internet services are rendered to users for payment of little token.