1.4 wired and wireless networks Flashcards
What are standalone computers?
Computers not connected to a network.
What are the advantages of networking standalone computers together?
1) Users can share files and peripherals.
2) Users can access their files from any computer on the network.
3) Server can control security, software updates and backup of data.
4) Communication with others e.g. email and social network.
What are computers in a LAN connected with?
Switch.
What does a LAN cover?
A small geographical area located on a single site.
How does a LAN cover the area?
Wired through a UTP cable, fibre optic or wireless, using WIFI/ radio waves.
What does a WAN cover?
A large geographical area (connecting LAN’s together).
How does a WAN connect LAN’s together?
Infrastructure between LAN hired from telecommunication companies who own and manage it.
Connected with telephone lines, fibre optic cables or satellite links.
What are computers in a WAN connected with?
Router.
What are the disadvantages of networking?
1) Increased security risk to data.
2) Malware and viruses spread easier between computers.
3) If a server fails, computers connected to it may not work.
4) Computer might run slowly if there’s lots of data travelling on it.
Define bandwidth
How much data can be transferred over a connection in a given time.
How is bandwidth shared between users?
Through internal networks and WAN.
How do fiber optic cables transfer data?
By reflecting beams of light through one end of the cable to the other.
What can effect wi-fi performance?
Latency: Max. speed a connection can go.
Throughput: Amount of traffic a network can carry at a time.
Packet Loss: Glitches, errors, or network overloading might result in the loss of data packets.
Retransmission: When packet loss does occur, those lost packets are retransmitted.
