3.2 Local Area Network

Question 1

What is a LAN

Answer 1

Local Area Network and operates on a single site such as a school, or house system etc.

Question 2

Difference between LAN and WAN

Answer 2

LAN is located within one building, WAN connect networks at remote locations via leased lines

Question 3

Advantages of networks

Answer 3

• Computers can share resources such as printers
• Files can be accessed through any computer in the network
• Data is easy to back up as it is stored centrally on the server

Question 4

Disadvantages of networks

Answer 4

• Purchasing the network hardware is expensive
• Managing a large network is complicated
• Viruses may be able to infiltrate the network and infect every computer

Question 5

What is a network topology?

Answer 5

A way in which clients of the network can be connected to each other

Question 6

What are the 2 types of topologies?

Answer 6

Star and Mesh

Question 7

What is a star network?

Answer 7

Computers and other devices (nodes) are connected to a central switch

Question 8

Star network advantages

Answer 8

Fast data transfers to the hub as each wire isn’t shared with other computers
If one cable fails the other computers are not affected

Question 9

Star network disadvantages

Answer 9

Requires additional hardware such as the central switch and network cables
If the central switch fails the whole network goes down

Question 10

What is mesh networking

Answer 10

Nodes act as routers for data in order to relay propagate data in the network

Question 11

What is a partial mesh network?

Answer 11

Half inter-connected connections and used in conjunction with star topologies to create larger networks

Question 12

What topology does the internet use?

Answer 12

Internet topology in which many parts operate as a partial mesh so there can be many routes

Question 13

Mesh network advantages

Answer 13

• No single point of failure - it is resilient
• Expansion and modification can be done without disrupting the network
• Data can be transmitted from different devices simultaneously

Question 14

Mesh network disadvantages

Answer 14

• Can involve redundant connections
• Expensive to install cabling if using wired connections
• Network maintenance and administration is difficult

Question 15

Give examples of Network hardware

Answer 15

• NIC (Network Interface Card)
• A router or switch
• A modem
• A WAP (Wireless Access Point)

Question 16

What does a router do?

Answer 16

• Looks at the destination of packets of data and sends them to the network that is closer towards their destination
• A home router will route packets between the home LAN and the Internet

Question 17

What does a switch do?

Answer 17

• Switches connect each node (computer) in a network
• They know the MAC address if all connected computers and devices
• When a packet of data arrives, they can send it to the correct computer
• Hubs will send data to all computers

Question 18

What is an ethernet protocol

Answer 18

It describes how devices should format data ready for transmission between computers on the same network

Question 19

What is transmission media?

Answer 19

• The way that communication is sent through the network
• Ethernet is sent with fibre optic cables.
• In the UK, connections are usually sent through copper or coaxial cables

Question 20

LAN

Answer 20

local area network

Question 21

Star network

Answer 21

each computer connects to a central switch

Question 22

Mesh network

Answer 22

Each computer/router can connect to other nodes

Question 23

Router

Answer 23

Routes packets of data towards their destination

Question 24

Switch

Answer 24

Sends data to the appropriate connected computer

Question 25

NIC

Answer 25

Network Interface Card/Controller

Question 26

Name 4 types of transmission media

Answer 26

Ethernet cable, fibre optic cable, WIFI/wireless/microwaves, coaxial cable, copper cable