1.3 Computer Networks, Connections And Protocols

Question 1

What is a network

Answer 1

Computers connected together, allowing computer systems to communicate with eachother and share resources with eachother

Question 2

Features of a LAN

Answer 2

• computers connected together over a small geographical area eg = single buildings or single site
• uses its own hardware and cabling to transmit data eg = Ethernet cables or wifi hotspots

Question 3

Examples of LANs

Answer 3

• Home network
• School network
• Small company

Question 4

Features of a WAN

Answer 4

• Computers connected over a large geographical area eg = several sites, country wide or internationally
• uses third party or external hardware and cabling eg = phone lines or satellite connections
• biggest WAN is the internet = interconnecting networks

Question 5

Advantages of a network

Answer 5

• users can share files
• users can share peripherals eg = printers or scanners
• users can access their files from any computer on the network
• servers can centrally control security, software updates and backup of data

Question 6

Disadvantages of a network

Answer 6

• increased security risks to data
• malware and viruses spread very easily between computers
• if a server fails, the connected computers may not work
• the computer may run slowly if a lot of data is travelling on the network

Question 7

How does the number of users/devices affect the performance of networks

Answer 7

• too many users or devices on the same network can cause the network to slow down if theres insufficient bandwidth for the data
• data collisions can occur

Question 8

How does transmission media affect the performance of networks

Answer 8

• wired connections have a higher bandwidth than wireless connections
• fibre optic cables have a higher bandwidth than copper cables

Question 9

How does bandwidth affect the performance of networks

Answer 9

• the amount of data that can be sent and received successfully in a given time
• a measure of how much data can be sent on the transmission media
• measured in bits per second, often called bit rate

Question 10

How does latency (amount of data being transferred) affect the performance of networks

Answer 10

• the delay from transmitting data to receiving it
• latency is caused by bottlenecks in the infrastructure of the network eg - by not using switches to appropriately segment traffic on a network
• hardware like switches and transmission media may not operate at the same speed

Question 11

Client-server advantages

Answer 11

• security managed centrally
• backups carried out centrally
• central installation of software updates to all computers

Question 12

Client-server disadvantages

Answer 12

• can be expensive to set up/maintain
• requires IT specialists to maintain
• users will lose access if server fails

Question 13

Peer-to-peer advantages

Answer 13

• easy to maintain
• specialist staff not required
• no dependency on a single computer
• cheaper to set up
  No expensive hardware needed

Question 14

Peer-to-peer disadvantages

Answer 14

• network is less secure
• users will need to manage their own backups

Question 15

Features of a WAP - wireless access point

Answer 15

• allows wireless devices to connect to a network without cables
• security is more of a concern with wireless connections
• connection can be less strong or less reliable than a wired connection

Question 16

Features of a router

Answer 16

• sends data between networks
• lets you connect to the internet
• cant connect to a WAN without a router
• uses an IP address (internet protocol) to route traffic

Question 17

Features of a switch

Answer 17

• sends data between computers on a LAN
• segment the network by forwarding traffic to the correct location

Question 18

Features of a NIC - network interface card

Answer 18

• every computer connecting to a network will need one
• allow a device to connect to a wired or wireless network

Question 19

Features of transmission media (copper cable & fibre optic cable)

Answer 19

Copper cable -
Wired connections assure max bandwidth/securiy/reliability

Fibre optic cable -
Cover longer distances + greater bandwidth

Question 20

What’s the internet

Answer 20

Worldwide global collection of interconnected networks

Question 21

What’s hosting

Answer 21

When websites are stored on web servers

Question 22

Cloud storage advantages

Answer 22

• provide access to files any time, anywhere, any device
• automatic backup
• workers can easily collaberate on documents
• easy to increase storage capcity

Question 23

Cloud storage disadvantages

Answer 23

• security issues
• need internet connection
• servers provide services
• client request/use services from a server

Question 24

What’s a topology

Answer 24

Physical arrangement of nodes + connections in a network

Question 25

Star network advantages

Answer 25

• fewer cables
• easier to add/remove devices
• simple to understand + troubleshoot

Question 26

Star network disadvantages

Answer 26

• if central switch fails, whole network fails
• can cause bottlenecks in busy networks

Question 27

Mesh network advantages

Answer 27

• let’s packets be routed round bottlenecks (packets find another route)
• more reliable - single failure wont stop rest of network

Question 28

Mesh network disadvantages

Answer 28

• more cabling
• complicated to remove/add devices
• complicated to troubleshoot

Question 29

Connections - Ethernet/wired advantages

Answer 29

• fast transfer speeds
• better physical security
• better range

Question 30

Connections - Ethernet/wired disadvantages

Answer 30

• cant move easily
• cables = trip hazard
• more cables to add devices

Question 31

Wifi (wireless connections) advantages

Answer 31

• easy to move around
• most devices already have wifi adapter
• easy to add new devices