NETWORKING ENGINEERING Part 2

------Computers and Their Connectors
Computers on a TCP/IP network use two different kinds of connectors to
connect to network media: serial ports, and the ports on the network interface.
---Serial Ports
Each computer has at least two serial ports, the connectors that enable you to
plug a printer or modem into the computer. The serial ports may be attached to
the CPU board, or you may have to purchase them. You use these ports when
attaching a modem to the system to establish a PPP or UUCP connection. PPP
and UUCP actually provide wide-area network services, since they may use
telephone lines as their network media.
---Network Interfaces
The hardware in a computer that enables you to connect it to a network is
known as a network interface. Many computers come with a preinstalled
network interface; others may require you to purchase the network interface
separately.