1.4 Networks Flashcards
What are the two types of networks?
LAN(local area network)
WAN(wide area network)
How are networks useful?
- use networks daily
- use them to read emails, to message friends and family
- vital part of our use of technology, increasingly important
What’s a definition of a LAN and what’s an example?
-computers are connected together over a small geographical area such as a single building or single site
E.g. Home network, school network, network in a shop
What’s a definition of a WAN and what’s an example?
-computers are connected over a large geographical area, a WAN is a network that connects LANs with leased lines(rented phone lines)
E.g. The biggest example of a WAN is the internet which is a global connection of networks
What are the differences between a LAN and a WAN?
LAN-has it’s own infrastructure of cabling and network hardware due to distance and practicalities
WAN-uses external hardware and external infrastructure e.g.use of satellites, phone lines, The Internet
What’s a network?
A network is a collection of independent computers/devices connected together
What are the seven advantages of networking?
- able to share peripherals
- share files
- users can log onto any computer
- centralised backup
- centralised software installation
- increased security over the network
- anti-virus software can be applied centrally
How is being able to share peripherals an advantage of networking?
Printers/scanners can be shared so you only have to buy one for a group of computers to share
How is being able to share files an advantage of networking?
It allows you to access many files on any device that you need if your computers are in a network so you don’t have to individual download the file you need onto that specific computer
How is being able to log on to any computer an advantage of networking?
When work is saved centrally you don’t have to access the same computer again to access that work, this gives flexibility to a large organisation
How is being able to do centralised backup an advantage of networking?
You don’t have to do a back up on each individual machine, you can back up all the files on the network from one place
How is being able to perform software installation an advantage of networking?
It can be installed centrally rather on each individual device on the network
How is security an advantage of networking?
Usernames and passwords can protect the work in your area of the network/ the network manager can give users different access rights
How is anti-virus software an advantage of networking?
This can be applied centrally and can be kept up to date centrally
What does the piece of hardware NIC stand for and what’s its purpose?
NIC-network interface card
It has a unique MAC address which allows the specific device to be identified, it’s built into your PC into the motherboard, it lets you plug an Ethernet cable into your PC
What is the piece of hardware the repeater’s purpose?
Repeater-Boosts the signal(signal strength drops over distance, this allows for longer distances)
What are three sets of hardware which connect a network?
Hub
Bridge
Switch
These all connect devices in a network but in different ways
What does the piece of hardware WAP stand for and what’s its purpose?
WAP-Wireless Access Point
It connects devices wirelessly. Wi-Fi uses radio waves to send and receive data it doesn’t need any cables
What is the purpose of the router(hardware) in a network?
You need a router to connect separate networks
A router can connect two networks even if they have slightly different protocols
Routers can connect to other routers to make an even wider network
Connects to the internet
What’s the purpose in a modem in a network?
It switches analogue and digital signals for connection to the internet across telephone cables(modulator/demodulator)
What does a hub do in network?
- Hub sends to all devices
- sends data to all the PCs only the one with the right MAC address will accept it
What are the disadvantages of a hub in a network?
- lots of possible data collisions
- slows down the network
What does a bridge do in a network?
A Bridge splits the network into smaller regions
- sends data to the right segment
- uses a table to find which segment has the MAC address in