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GCSE OCR Computer Science > 1.3 Computer networks, connections and protocols > Flashcards

1.3 Computer networks, connections and protocols Flashcards

1
Q

Local Area Network (LAN)

A
  • Covers small geographical areas at single sites
  • Hardware is usually owned by the organisation using it
  • Can be wired on wireless
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2
Q

What can users on a LAN do?

A
  • Access and share files on the network
  • Share hardware
  • Share an internet connection
  • Log in from any device on the network
  • Roll out security and software updates to all computers at once
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3
Q

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A
  • Connect LANs in different geographical locations
  • Organisations hire infrastructure (e.g. fibre optic lines or satellite links) from telecommunications companies who own and manage the WAN
  • More expensive to set up than LANs
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4
Q

5 factors affecting network performance

A
  • Bandwidth
  • Number of users
  • Transmission media
  • Error rate
  • Latency
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5
Q

Bandwidth

A

The amount of data that can be sent and received successfully in a specified period of time

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6
Q

Number of users

A

Too many users or devices on the same network can cause it to slow down if there is insufficient bandwidth available

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7
Q

Transmission media

A
  • Either wired or wireless
  • The type of cable used to transfer data, e.g. Fibre optic cable offers higher bandwidth than copper cables
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8
Q

Error rate

A
  • When the transmission of data fails and it has to be sent again until it arrives correctly
  • Quality of signal may depend on the distance if it is wireless, or the quality of the material used
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9
Q

Latency

A
  • Delay between sending and receiving data
  • Affected by the number of devices on the network and the type of connection device
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10
Q

Five pieces of network hardware

A
  • Network Interface Controller (NIC)
  • Switch
  • Transmission media
  • Wireless Access Point (WAP)
  • Router
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11
Q

Network interface controller (NIC)

A

Allows devices to connect to a network -> usually built into the motherboard

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12
Q

Switch

A

Receives and transmits data between devices on a LAN using MAC addresses

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13
Q

Transmission media

A

Wires or wireless radio waves that allow data transmission between devices

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14
Q

Wireless Access Point (WAP)

A

Allows devices to connect to a network wirelessly. Similar to a switch

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15
Q

Router

A

Transmits data between networks by directing data as ‘packets’ to their destination

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16
Q

Wired networks

A

Tend to be faster and more reliable than wireless networks. Three cables to connect devices on an Ethernet (wired) network:
- Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
- Coaxial
- Fibre optic

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17
Q

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

A

Copper wires twisted together in pairs to reduce internal interference

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18
Q

Coaxial

A

A single copper wire surrounded by plastic insulation and metallic mesh to shield from outside interference

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19
Q

Fibre optic

A

Transmits data as light. Can send data over long distances with little interference. High performance but expensive

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20
Q

Wireless Networks

A

Radio waves transmit data between devices on wireless networks. They tend to be cheaper and more convenient than wire networks.
Two common wireless technologies:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi

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21
Q

Bluetooth

A
  • Direct connection between two devices to share data
  • Low bandwidth
  • Max range -> 10 metres
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22
Q

Wi-Fi

A
  • Can connect multiple devices to a LAN at once
  • High bandwidth
  • Max range -> 40-100 metres
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23
Q

Client-Server Networks

A

Files, software, user profiles and passwords are all stored centrally on the server.
Client sends a request to the server. Server processes the request and responds

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24
Q

Pros of Client-Server Networks

A
  • Easy file tracking -> all stored centrally
  • Back up files and update software easily
  • Servers are reliable and always on
  • Security -> Servers can request passwords or access levels before fulfilling requests
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25
Q

Cons of Client-Server Networks

A
  • Expensive to set up and maintain
  • If the server goes down, all clients lose access
  • Servers can get overloaded with too many requests
26
Q

Peer-to-Peer Networks

A

Devices connect directly -> no server
Files are stored on individual devices and shared with others

27
Q

Pros of Peer-to-Peer Networks

A
  • Easy to maintain without expertise
  • No dependence on a server
28
Q

Cons of Peer-to-Peer Networks

A
  • Updates and backups are complicated
  • Hard to track files -> copying between devices creates duplicate
  • Data could be lost if one device fails
29
Q

Star Topology

A

All devices connect to a central switch or server that controls the network

30
Q

Pros of Star Topology

A
  • Network unaffected if a device fails
  • Easy to add more devices
  • High performance
31
Q

Cons of Star Topology

A
  • Expensive for wire networks
  • Switch is a single point of failure
32
Q

Mesh Topology

A

No switch -> data sent along fastest route from one device to another

33
Q

Partial Mesh Topology

A

Only some devices are connected to each other

34
Q

Full Mesh Topology

A

All devices are connected to each other

35
Q

Pros of Mesh Topology

A
  • No single point of failure
  • Add devices without affecting performance
36
Q

Cons of Mesh Topology

A
  • Expensive for wired networks
  • Hard to maintain lots of connections
37
Q

IP Addresses

A

Unique 32 or 128-bit identifiers given to devices when they access a network

38
Q

Mac Addresses

A

Unique 48 or 64-bit identifiers given to network devices by the manufacturer

39
Q

Network standard

A

A set of agreed requirements for hardware and software that allows different manufacturers to make compatible products

40
Q

Network communication protocol

A

Rules for how devices communicate, and how data is organised and transmitted across a network

41
Q

What are the 8 network protocols

A
  • Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
  • Internet Protocol (IP)
  • Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
  • HTTP Secure (HTTPS)
  • File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
  • Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
  • Post Office Protocol (POP)
  • Instant Messaging Access Protocol (IMAP)
42
Q

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

A

Rules for how devices connect to a network. Splits and reassembles data packets. Checks they’re sent and delivered

43
Q

Internet Protocol (IP)

A

Directs packets to their destination across a network

44
Q

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

A

Web browsers use it to access websites and web servers

45
Q

HTTP Secure (HTTPS)

A

Encrypts website information sent and received for security

46
Q

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

A

Accesses, edits and moves files between devices on a network

47
Q

Simples Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)

A

Sends and transfers emails between servers

48
Q

Post Office Protocol (POP)

A

Retrieves email from a server. Server deletes the email after you download it

49
Q

Instant Messaging Access Protocol (IMAP)

A

Retrieves emails from a server. Server holds it until you delete it

50
Q

Network Layers

A

Network communication is divided by functionality into layers. Each layer is self-contained. It serves the layer above it and depends on all the layers below it.

51
Q

Pros of Network Layers

A
  • Developers can each focus on one area of the network
  • Layers can be changed without affecting others
  • Standards develop ensuring compatibility between different pieces of hardware and software
52
Q

Internet

A

A worldwide collection of computer networks

53
Q

World Wide Web

A

A collection of websites hosted on web servers. Accessed through the HTTP protocol

54
Q

URLs

A

Addresses used to access web servers and resources on them, e.g:
https:// - protocol
www.brainscape.com - domain name
/landing - Path to a file or page

55
Q

Domain Name Service (DNS)

A

A service made of many domain name servers that store domain names and matching IP addresses

56
Q

How does DNS work?

A
  • Browser sends URL to DNS
  • DNS finds matching IP address and sends it back to browser
  • Browser requests web page from the web server at the IP address
  • Web server processes the request and sends the web page back
57
Q

Hosting

A

When a business uses its servers to store files for another organisation e.g. hosting websites on web servers or files on file servers

58
Q

The Cloud

A

Servers accessed over the Internet that offer a range of services

59
Q

What does the cloud do?

A
  • Store and access data and files -> users need less storage space on their own computer
  • Running cloud applications -> users can access software without needing it on their own computer
  • Providing increased processing power -> users don’t need to have expensive hardware in their computer
60
Q

Pros of the cloud

A
  • Access files from any devices
  • Easy to increase storage space
  • No need for expensive hardware and the staff to manage it
  • Host provides security and backups
  • Automatic updates
61
Q

Cons of the cloud

A
  • Requires Internet connection
  • Relies on host for security and backups
  • Stored data can be vulnerable to hackers
  • Unclear who has ownership of data
  • Expensive subscription fees

GCSE OCR Computer Science (11 decks)

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