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GCSE Computer Science > 1.3 Networks > Flashcards

1.3 Networks Flashcards

1
Q

Network

A

Two or more linked computers.

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2
Q

Advantages of Networks

A
  • Users can share files
  • Users can share peripherals
  • Users can access their files from other computers on the network
  • Servers can control security software updates and backup of data.
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3
Q

Disadvantages of Networks

A
  • Increased security risks to data.
  • Malware and viruses spread easily between computers.
  • Computer may run slowly if there is a lot of data travelling through the network.
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4
Q

LAN

A

Local Area Network

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5
Q

WAN

A

Wide Area Network

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6
Q

Characteristics of LAN

A
  • Covers small geographical area.
  • All the hardware for a LAN is owned internally.
  • Wired with a UTP/fibre optic cable
  • Wireless using Wi-Fi.
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7
Q

Characteristics of WAN

A
  • Covers large geographical area, linking
    LANs together.
  • Infrastructure between LANs is leased
    from the companies who own them.
  • WANs are connected with telephone lines,
    fibre optic cables or satellite links
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8
Q

Advantages of LAN

A
  • Cheap to set up
  • Easy to set up
  • Secure
  • Rapid communication between devices.
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9
Q

Disadvantages of LAN

A
  • Limited distance covered.
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10
Q

Advantages of WAN

A
  • Large distance covered.
  • Higher bandwidth.
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11
Q

Disadvantages of WAN

A
  • Less secure
  • Large installation cost
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12
Q

Factors affecting Network Performance

A
  • Bandwidth
  • Contention rate
  • Latency
  • Error rate
  • Transmission media
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13
Q

Bandwidth

A

The amount of data that can be sent and received at a given time. Measured in bits per second.

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14
Q

Contention rate

A

Too many users on the same network can cause it to slow down as bandwidth is limited.

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15
Q

Latency

A

The delay from transmitting to receiving data.
Caused by bottlenecks in infrastructure of network or hardware not operating at the same speed.

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16
Q

Error Rate

A

The number of data collisions per second. The higher the error rate, the network slows down as data must be resent.

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17
Q

Client-server networks

A

A server controls access and security to one shared file store, manages peripherals and backup of data.
A client makes requests to the server for data and connections.

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18
Q

Advantages of Client-server networks
(3)

A
  • Easier to manage security files.
  • Easier to backup all shared data.
  • Easier to install updates on all connected computers.
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19
Q

Disadvantages of Client-server networks (4)

A
  • Expensive to set up and maintain.
  • Needs IT specialists to maintain.
  • Single point of failure.
  • Users lose access if server fails.
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20
Q

Peer-to-Peer Networks

A

All computers on the network are equal and are responsible for their own security and backups.

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21
Q

Advantages of Peer-to-Peer networks (4)

A
  • Easy to maintain
  • No specialists required
  • No dependency on single computer
  • Cheaper to set up
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22
Q

Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer networks

A
  • Less secure
  • Difficult to maintain file store
  • Users manage own backups
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23
Q

Modes of Connection

A

Wired - Ethernet
Wireless - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

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24
Q

Wired Networks

A

Use physical wires to connect devices. Typically used in offices as cables limit their ability to move.

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25
Q

Wireless Networks

A

Use radio waves to carry signals. Range of 50m - walls can interefere.

26
Q

Advantages of Wired Networks

A
  • Speed of up to 1 gigabit per second
  • Distance of up to 2km for fibre optic - 100m for Ethernet.
  • More secure
27
Q

Disadvantages of Wired Networks

A
  • Installation is expensive
  • IT specialists required for set up
28
Q

Advantages of Wireless Networks

A
  • Cheap to set up
  • Easy to set up
  • Easy to connect
29
Q

Disadvantages of Wireless Networks

A
  • Slower speed - 50 megabits per second.
  • Lower range - up to 50m.
  • Less secure, data is more easily intercepted.
30
Q

Network hardware

A
  • Network Interface Card (NIC)
  • Wireless Access Point (WAP)
  • Switch
  • Router
  • Transmission media
31
Q

Network Interface Card

A

Allows a device to connect to a network. Uses protocol to determine how connection should work. Every computer connecting to a network needs one.

32
Q

Wireless Access Point

A

Allows wireless enabled devices to connect to a network without cables.

33
Q

Switch

A

Sends data between computers and a LAN. Segments networking by forwarding traffic to correct location.

34
Q

Router

A

Sends data between networks.
Creates a WAN from many LANs.

35
Q

Purpose of Transmission Media

A

To carry data signals from one computer to another.

36
Q

Types of Transmission Media

A
  • Copper cables
  • Fibre optic cables
37
Q

Fibre Optic Cables

A

Uses light to transmit data.
Covers larger distance and has greater bandwidth than copper cables.

38
Q

Copper Cables

A

Has a set of wires for transmitting and receiving.
Covers less distance and has less bandwidth, more reliable.

39
Q

Bluetooth

A

A form of wireless communication that enables different devices to connect.
Limited in transmission speed and range.

40
Q

Star Topology

A

In a star topology all computers indirectly connect to each other through a switch, which acts as a central point through which all communications are passed.

41
Q

Advantages of Star Topology

A
  • If one computer fails, it does not affect the others.
  • Easy to add new devices.
  • A message is sent to the intended recipient only.
42
Q

Disadvantages of Star Topology

A
  • Central point of failure - the switch.
  • Wired star topology needs lots of cable - expensive.
43
Q

Mesh Topology

A

Each computer is connected to at least one other computer, which act as relays, passing on signals to its final destination.

44
Q

Partial Mesh Topology

A

Not all computers are connected directly to each other.

45
Q

Full Mesh Topology

A

Each computer is directly connected to every other computer.

46
Q

Advantages of Mesh Topology

A
  • Messages can be received quickly.
  • Messages should always arrive as there are many routes to take.
  • No isolated computers
  • Each computer can send and receive from multiple computers at one time.
  • New computers can be easily added without interruptions.
47
Q

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

A
  • Full mesh is impractical because many connections are needed to be set up.
  • Lots of maintenance required.
48
Q

IP Addresses

A

Each device connected to a network has its own unique IP address.

49
Q

IPv4

A

192.168.0.254
4 sets of up to 3 digit numbers (0-255), separated by dots.

50
Q

IPv6

A

2001:0000:130F:0000:0000:09C0:876A:130B

8 sets of 4-digit hex values, separated by colons.

51
Q

MAC Addresses

A

A unique serial number assigned to each NIC which allows a network to uniquely identify any device. Can’t change.

A string of hex numbers, separated by colons.

52
Q

Example of MAC Address

A

1A:5B:6H:98:78:35

53
Q

Protocols

A
  • HTTP
  • HTTPS
  • POP
  • IMAP
  • TCP/IP
  • FTP
  • SMTP
54
Q

TCP/IP

A

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol.
Enables communication over the internet.

55
Q

HTTP

A

HyperText Transfer Protocol

Manages communication between a webserver and a client.

56
Q

HTTPS

A

HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure

Manages communication between a webserver and a client and secure encryption.

57
Q

FTP

A

File Transfer Protocol

Governs the transmission of files across a network and the internet.

58
Q

POP

A

Post Office Protocol

Govern retrieving emails from email servers and deletes the file immediately after being transferred.

59
Q

IMAP

A

Instant Messaging Access Protocol

Govern retrieving emails from email servers and stores the file on the server after being transferred.

60
Q

SMTP

A

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

Governs the sending of email over a network to a mail server.

61
Q

The Cloud

A

Generic term for remotely accessed storage - accessed through the Internet.

GCSE Computer Science (11 decks)

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