Network Journeys: Introducing Ourselves and Exploring Everyday Connectivity

In your initial post, address the following:

• First, introduce yourself. Tell us who you are, the program you are in at SNHU, and what you hope to gain by taking this course.
• Describe your experiences with setting up a computer network, including experiences at home as well as in the workplace. If you do not have any experience building a network, write instead about your experiences using a network. This may range from using social media on a laptop or phone to sending a print job for a course assignment or for work. You may connect to a network at home, a coffee shop, the airport, work, or myriad other places.
• You may want to trace your connections to networks during the span of one to three days. It can be surprising to find how much of our experience is networked these days. This will also suggest why this course is so important.

In response to two of your peers, extend the conversation.

• Note any surprises or points you were not aware of, ask questions, and share commonalities.
• Then be sure to reply to the responses you receive. In this course, the discussion topics should be friendly and show an inquisitive spirit, so here is the chance to start.

RESPONSE 1

Hello everyone,
My name is Mitchell Duke, and I’m pursuing my bachelor’s degree in IT Cybersecurity. I’m thrilled about the opportunity to expand my knowledge of networking concepts and practices. By the end of this course, I aim to acquire practical skills in setting up and managing computer networks, which will be essential for my future IT career.
I have some experience with computer networks at home and in the workplace. At home, I’ve set up my wireless network, including configuring the router, securing the network with a strong password, and ensuring smooth connectivity for all devices in my household. I’ve also assisted friends and family in troubleshooting connectivity issues and setting up their home networks.
As a customer success specialist, I frequently utilized the company’s network to manage customer data, access internal systems, and communicate with team members. Although I didn’t directly set up the network infrastructure, I regularly interacted with it by connecting to printers, accessing shared drives, and using cloud-based applications.
I’ve recently become more aware of how frequently I connect to various networks. At home, I use my laptop and smartphone to access the internet for research, social media, and streaming services. When I visit a coffee shop, I connect to the public Wi-Fi to check emails or work on assignments. Even at the airport, I use the available network to stay updated on flight information and keep in touch with family and friends.
These experiences emphasize the ubiquitous nature of networks in our daily lives and underscore the importance of understanding how they function. I’m eager to learn more about network protocols, security measures, and troubleshooting techniques in this course.
I look forward to engaging with you throughout this term and learning from our shared experiences.

RESPONSE 2

Hello, my name is Art and I am currently pursuing my BS in Cybersecurity. I currently work at a large ISP and serve as a manager for fiber network engineers. I hope to reinforce the skills I already know and learn new things to help me in my current role to be a better leader for my team.

I have quite a bit of experience in setting up a network from installing and troubleshooting at an ISP level. Generally, once we install our fiber NID, typically a layer 2 switch, we handoff to our customer’s equipment via a copper or optical connection. Once this layer 1 connection is established, we work with our customers to ensure their network is provisioned correctly based of the service we are providing them. This can include providing IPs for a layer 3 service or ensuring proper connection on point-to-point or point-to-multipoint on a layer 2 service. In some instances, we will also install and support a full managed network solution with layer 2 and layer 3 switches to include indoor and outdoor APs. In these instances, we will work to configure our NID, edge router, switches, and APs to ensure a good physical connection. We then test the wireless signal and strength with robust testing to ensure proper coverage in their business.

I feel this course is very important. People don’t realize how connected we truly are today. With everything from cell phones to refrigerators now utilizing wireless networks, we are truly in an age of networking. This is partly due to the creation and growth of the internet of things. Being able to better understand networking will prove valuable not only to those in an IT field, but also anyone that uses technology for work, school, and life.