1.3.1-2 Wired and Wireless Networks

Question 1

What does LAN stand for?

Answer 1

Local area network

Question 2

What is the definition of LAN?

Answer 2

Consists of computers and peripheral devices connected in a small geographic area (school or office building)

Question 3

How can devices exchange info?

Answer 3

Switches

Question 4

What does WAN stand for?

Answer 4

Wide area network

Question 5

What is the definition of WAN?

Answer 5

Connecting one LAN to another creates a wide area network
Covers a large geographical area
Largest WAN is the Internet

Question 6

What affects the performance of a network?

Answer 6

Number of devices on the same network as bandwidth must be shared between all the users of the same network, lowering everyone’s connection speeds.
Quality of the transmission media, either wired or wireless. Interference from external factors (distance), and other electronic devices such as microwaves.

Question 7

What is a client-server network?

Answer 7

When a main computer server (that controls access to files and data it sores) is accessed from multiple client computers.

Question 8

What does a client-server network allow?

Answer 8

Allows security, user access and backups to be carried out by the central server.

Question 9

What is a peer-to-peer network?

Answer 9

All computers act as both client and server (share files, programs, and network access)
Security permissions shared across the network, and a user can access the contents of any other user’s computer on the same network.
Lack of central control = data can be added and deleted by any user of the network.
Important all peer-to-peer users check their individual network security settings.

Question 10

Network hardware components?

Answer 10

Wireless access point
Routers
Switches
Network interface controller/cards (NICs)
Transmission media

Question 11

What is a wireless access point? (WAP)

Answer 11

devices that connect to a network and allow external wireless devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets) to connect to their network.

Question 12

What is a Router?

Answer 12

connect networks together

Question 13

What are switches?

Answer 13

Act as a gateway between computers, allowing info to be passed between them and sent directly to a specified destination media access control (MAC) address.

Question 14

What does NICs stand for?

Answer 14

Network Interface controllers/cards

Question 15

What are NICs?

Answer 15

Plug directly into motherboard of a desktop computer, allowing the computer to communicate with a network using either Ethernet cable or wireless technology

Question 16

What does each NIC include?

Answer 16

a MAC address that provides a unique identifier within a LAN

Question 17

In modern computers where is the NIC usually built into?

Answer 17

Motherboard

Question 18

What is a Transmission media?

Answer 18

How network devices are connected to each other, using either cables or wireless communication.

Question 19

What wire do wired networks use?

Answer 19

traditionally use copper wire Ethernet cables to transmit data between devices (100 metres).

Question 20

What cables are used for larger networks requiring bigger bandwidths over longer distances?

Answer 20

Fibre-optic cables (transmit data as flashes of light)

Question 21

What does Wi-Fi use to transmit data between compatible routers and computers?

Answer 21

Radio waves

Question 22

What does DNS stand for?

Answer 22

Domain Name Service

Question 23

What is a DNS?

Answer 23

an Internet naming service that links the Internet Protocol (IP) address of a computer on a network to a text-based website address that is easier to remember. Made up of multiple Domain Name Servers around the world.

Question 24

What is hosting?

Answer 24

allowing users to access a specific computer – the host – via network connection

Question 25

What do you have to do to make sure a user can always access a server that is being hosted?

Answer 25

Keep it constantly running and maintained

Question 26

What do you need to run a hosting computer at home?

Answer 26

High level of technical knowledge

Question 27

What is cloud computing?

Answer 27

allows Internet users not only to access remote files but also to run applications such as word processors, graphic software and even games directly from a remote server without the need to install them locally.

Question 28

What are the advantages of cloud computing?

Answer 28

Software can be run within a browser, removing the need for remote updates.
Not location based, ideal for remote or home working.
Collaboration possible from multiple locations
Remote back-ups can be regularly made.
Cloud services can be accessed via desktop and smart devices.
Previous versions of changed documents can usually be accessed if needed.

Question 29

What are the disadvantages of cloud computing?

Answer 29

Without internet access, files or programs cannot be accessed.
Increased risk of security concerns, hacking, or questions of data ownership.
Storage capacity can be limited/expensive, depending on the provider.
Downtime – a cloud service may stop working, meaning work cannot be accessed.
Many professional cloud services are subscription-fee based.

Question 30

What is a web server?

Answer 30

stores and hosts websites, and controls client access to specific (usually HTML format) web pages stored upon it. Requested info then rendered in the client web browser.

Question 31

What is a file server network?

Answer 31

provides shared access to files hosted on a specific network computer that all network users can access.