General

The campus network uses Ethernet network devices connected via network switches using the TCP/IP internetworking protocols.

Networks

Basic network hierarchy is as follows;

LAN -> CAN/MAN -> WAN

Wikipedia info links;

Basic network config for each network card usually requires the following sequence;

MAC address (CSMA/CD) -> IP address (TCP/IP) -> Hostname (DNS)

In addition each network card must know of the following;

Wikipedia info links;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_card. The network interface card (NIC) is the device installed in the computer to enable networked communications.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_address. The hardware address of the NIC used for local area network (LAN) management together with the Ethernet protocol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet. Protocol used in LAN's communications.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_address. Protocol used in metropolitan area network (MAN) and wide area network (WAN) communications.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_address. The IP address on the LAN of the device which is connected to another LAN.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subnet_Mask. Method used to maximise use of IP address's and identify LAN.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Host_Configuration_Protocol. Protocol to assign an IP address to a network card using the MAC address.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Name_System. Protocol to assign a human readable name (hostname) to an IP address.