Computer Networking, IT Infrastructure and Your IT Career

From PCs to Computer Networking

I remember him trying to teach me the concept of databases, networks and how computers worked. I was already pretty savvy about how a PC worked. In fact, I would fix Dr. Snyder’s computer now and again. He had a really, really temperamental old CD tower drive. It was a huge thing – about the size of the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey. I remember diagnosing its problems and discovering that it had a loose connection on the back that was too expensive to fix. So, what did I do? I put a sticky note on the top of the thing that said, “Never touch this drive.” It was a fix that worked for years.

But I was worthless when it came to understanding networking and its foundations. In fact, I was pretty dismissive about the whole internet thing. After all, what’s the point of having computers communicate with each other? Isn’t that what phones are for?

When I asked him why this internet thing was a big deal, I remember how Henry decided to get all “Foundations of the Internet” on me. He trotted out a bunch of old books from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries to get started.

I still remember the sound of the cracking of the bindings, and the smell of the old leather covers. He used these antiquarian books to show how one computer communicates with another. I remember him saying, “You know, back in the day, these books were cutting-edge technology. Now look where we are!”

Learning Computer Networking Basics

He realized I didn’t quite understand how computers talked to each other. So, he and some of his co-workers explained how they have to translate their unique MAC addresses with logical IP addresses.

He did so by explaining how the British Library has a physical address as well as a well-known name. He said that as humans, we can resolve these two things together, and computers, he said, have to do the same thing. He was very clever at analogies. I remember thinking about his analogies as I viewed files uploading across the internet at the incredibly fast pace of 36.4 Kbps. Ah, how infrastructure and networking has progressed these days!

Throughout all these mini-lessons and mini-bootcamps, Dr. Snyder and his co-workers inspired me. First, he taught me protocols such as Gopher, and Kermit, and eventually Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and this “new thing called the web.” He also inspired me to want to teach this stuff.

Whenever I find time, I try to do the same thing to help other folks learn about technology. The problem is, my analogies are never as good as his. Thankfully I was able to take my foundational knowledge of networking and push it to the next level.

Networking as a Foundation for Cybersecurity

A few years after I worked for Dr. Snyder, I decided to pursue networking and the internet as a career. I took the CompTIA A+ exam and the then-relatively new CompTIA Network+ exam.

I remember when I passed them – it felt so good. As I studied about networking, I thought how I now fully understood how Henry’s databases really worked and how that little office in the basement of Rivera Library at UC Riverside was able to communicate with the British Library and other sites worldwide.

How Cloud Computing is Revolutionizing the Way We Manage Software

The cloud computing revolution is reaching a new stage in its evolution. CompTIA’s 2018 Trends In Cloud Computing report shares that in 2018, nearly half of companies state that between 31 percent to 60 percent of their IT operations are now cloud-based.

This means that the industry discussion about cloud computing is no longer entirely about if enterprises will adopt cloud-based solutions but, rather, what value they’re getting out of them and how. So, let’s take a more detailed look at how companies and their staff are benefitting from moving applications to the cloud, and how everyone in the channel is finding their footing in this new cloud-based computing environment.

Cloud-Based Software as the Foundation for Automation  

In the first wave of cloud adoption, the main value propositions of deploying software from the cloud was reduced infrastructure costs. An SMB using a cloud-based email solution, for instance, wouldn’t need to invest in an in-house server, nor the IT staff to maintain it.

But the quality and value of cloud-deployed enterprise software packages has increased beyond this. Vendors have begun to introduce features that streamline and automate tasks in ways that leverage, and require, the cloud’s accessibility and enhanced processing power to manage. These cloud-based tools don’t just save money, they increase effectiveness. In fact 81 percent of businesses report the cloud playing some role in enhancing automation efforts.

What Types of Cloud Apps Are Trending? 

Different rankings place different cloud-based tools at the top, but you’ve doubtlessly used a SaaS tool or two in the course of doing business. Microsoft has had great success with its cloud-based iteration of its mainstay office tools, Office 365. Then there are hugely popular CRM tools like Salesforce, smart document storage solutions like Box, cross-office collaboration tools like Slack – the list goes on. What all of these tools offer is convenience, advanced opportunities for collaboration and accessibility no matter where users are physically located or what devices they are using. 

Cloud’s New World of Value-Add Opportunities 

CompTIA’s latest research on business cloud adoption points out that cloud hasn’t replaced or rendered irrelevant the third-party selling relationships long crucial to enterprise IT. There is still plenty of room for the value-added middleman in cloud relationships. MSPs in the cloud game offer consulting, maintenance, management, education, app development and other add-ons that extend the value of the vendor relationship.

Winning with Cloud-Based Solutions 

Understanding the successes that companies are having utilizing cloud-based apps, and where third parties are coming in, can help alleviate anxiety and cut through the buzz. While it may feel like a different world, good cloud-deployed software does what good enterprise software has always done – it provides the right tool for the job.

CompTIA Supports 'Artificial Intelligence in Government Act'

WASHINGTON — CompTIA, the leading trade association for the global technology industry, released the following statement from CompTIA Executive Vice President for Public Advocacy Elizabeth Hyman regarding the introduction of the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Government Act” by Senators Brian Schatz, Cory Gardner, Rob Portman, and Kamala Harris.

“The proposed legislation encourages broader use of artificial intelligence technologies across the entire federal government through, among other things, development of a strategy for investing and using AI.  Such an emphasis will spur agencies to explore the potential these emerging technologies will certainly deliver to improve the vital work of the government. In addition, this legislation brings together industry and government to explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents. We applaud the leadership of Senators Schatz, Gardner, Portman and Harris.

“CompTIA supports these forward-looking efforts by lawmakers. AI offers governments and businesses an unprecedented opportunity to improve how products and services are delivered to all people. We look forward to working with Congress as they craft smart policies that support and drive America’s leadership in developing innovative technologies.”

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $1.5 trillion U.S. information technology ecosystem; and the 11.5 million technology and business professionals who design, implement, manage, market, and safeguard the technology that powers the U.S. economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce.

Through its Advocacy arm, CompTIA champions member-driven business and IT priorities that impact all information technology companies – from small managed solutions providers and software developers to large equipment manufacturers and communications service providers. CompTIA gives eyes, ears and a voice to technology companies, informing them of policy developments – and providing the means to do something about it.