		Mastering Intranet and Internet Technology

Intranet, Extranet or Internet Host Review

1. Define a Server Host
2. Why are IP Addresses important?
3. How do Domain Names relate to IP Addresses?
4. List some possible host platforms (hardware and O/S).
5. What's the difference between RISC and CISC?
6. What types of Internet connection are available?
7. Where do SLIP and PPP fit in?
8. How do hosts know what time it is?
9. List any terms or concepts that you would like more information on.

1. Define a Server Host

A platform (machine and associated operating system) that supports a particular service.
A given machine may host one or many services.

2. Why are IP Addresses important?

All the Internet services use IP Addresses to identify host and client machines. Without an IP Address a machine doesn't exist on the Internet.

3. How do Domain Names relate to IP Addresses?

A machine must have an IP Address. A Host Name is optional. A particular machine may have mor ethan one Host Name. (This is called multi-homing.)
The Domain Name System (DNS) resolves Domain Names to IP Addresses and IP Addresses to Domain Names.

4. List some possible host platforms (hardware and O/S).

**Possible Host Platforms**
Hardware	Software
PC	Win NT NetWare Unix OS/2

5. What's the difference between RISC and CISC?

RISC = Reduced Instruction Set Computer
CISC = Complex Instruction Set Computer

RISC uses a small number of (supposedly) very efficient commands to perform all required operations. CISC has a wide set of commands - often one for each function.

Nowadays, there's not much of a performance difference between comparable CISC and RISC processors. E.g. The Pentium II processor tends to be a little better handling text than a PowerPC. While the PowerPC tends to handle graphics faster. Though, there's not much in it.

	Web Author: Geoff May	Last Update: 22/08/2000
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