1.4 Wired and Wireless Networks Flashcards
What is a Network?
Where devices have been connected together so that they can share data and resources
What is a Local Area Network [LAN]?
Covers a small geographical area such as an office
Uses their own infrastructure
What is a Wide Area Network [WAN]?
Covers a large geographical area and connects LAN’s together
What is Bandwith?
Amount of data that can be passed between network devices per second
What is a Server?
A device that provides services for other devices or clients
What is a Peer-Peer Network?
All of the computers in the network are equal to one another
They connect directly to each other
What is a Standalone computer?
A computer not connected to a Network
What is a Network Interface Controller [NIC]?
Built-in hardware that allows a device to connect to a network
What is Switch?
Connect devices on a LAN network
What is a Router?
Transmits data between the networks
For example the internet and your LAN
What is a Wireless Access Point [WAP]?
A switch that allows devices to connect wirelessly
How does Bandwith affect the performance of the network?
More Bandwith = More data can be transferred at one time
How does the number of users affect the performance of the network?
Having a lot of users = more data collision = slows down the network
What are some wireless factors that affect the performance of the network?
Walls
Distance
Signal Quality
Interference
How does a topology affect the performance of the network?
Different layouts can affect the performance of the network
What is a virtual network?
Part of a LAN or WAN where only certain devices can see and communicate with each other usually connected remotely
What are the advantages of a client-server network?
Easy to take backups
Easy to manage security
What are the disadvantages of a client-server network?
Expensive to setup
The server is a single-point of failure
What are the advantages of a peer-peer to network?
No single point of faliure
Cheaper then client-server
What are the disadvantages of a peer-peer network?
The network is less secure
Users will need to manage their own backup
Can be difficult to maintain a good order file store
Why is it beneficial to use a LAN?
Sharing files is easier
Can share the same hardware
Install update and software on all computers at once
What are the similarities between a switch and a router?
Both send data to the intended recipient
Both are networking devices
What are the differences between a router and a switch?
A router uses an IP address to send data whilst a switch uses MAC addresses to transmit frames to other devices
Routers usually help users take a faster route for data to go through while the switch does it less efficiently
Switches are restricted to wired-only connections whilst Routers can use both wired and wireless connections
Switches can only be used on a LAN network
What 2 types of frequency bands does WIFI use?
2.4 GHz and 5GHz
What are the differences between 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels?
2.4Ghz has greater range and is better getting through walls
5GHz is faster over short distances
What are Coaxial cables made up of?
Made up of a single copper wire surrounded by a plastic layer for insulation
What is a modem?
Enables a computer to connect to the internet over a telephone line.
A modem converts digital signals from a computer to analogue signals that are then sent down the telephone line
What is a hub?
A hub broadcasts data to all devices on a network.
This can use a lot of bandwidth as it results in unnecessary data being sent - not all computers might need to receive the data.
What is a bridge?
A bridge is used to connect two separate LAN networks. A computer can act as a bridge through the operating system
What is the purpose of a web server?
Hosting websites
Dealing with client requests
What happens when a URL request is made from the user?
Browser sends the domain name to the domain name server
DNS maps the domain to an IP address and returns it to the browser
The resource is sent to a web server using IP Address
Webpage is produced
What is the cloud?
Servers that can be used to store data and programs that can be accessed and used over the internet
