9 Connection Methods Flashcards
WiFi
To connect to devices wirelessly to local and wide area networks such as the internet
Advantages
Allows ad-hoc networks to permit printing for example wirelessly
Easy to set up
Low power consumption
High data transfer speeds
Good range
Relatively cheap to install
Can be complex
Security concerns
Using ad-hoc networks can impact connectivity
4G/5G
To connect to data networks such as the internet whilst on the move
Allows true mobility
4G/5G provides for very fast connection speeds
Heavy data usage can be costly
Uses public networks
Satellite Broadband
Provides connectivity to remote to remote areas, often rural
Wide coverage
High Speed
High latency (the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer)
Subject to weather conditions
Laser
Allows point to point LAN connections between locations
High Speed
No ongoing costs
Affected by poor weather
High initial cost
Bluetooth
For pairing devices over short distances such as wireless headphones, watches and keyboards.
Easy to set up
Low power consumption
Low data transfer speeds
Very short range
WiFi Direct
For connecting devices to remote displays e.g., surface laptops to display boards in school using little black Microsoft adaptor
Can transmit both audio and video
Can be built into devices
Limited range
Can affect data connectivity due to interference.
Cat5
Telephone communication and ethernet networks.
Versatile and widely available
Cheap compared to other networking options
Only useful over a shorter distance
More susceptible to interference from other wired techniques such as fibre.
Coaxial
All types of data communication but most commonly used in television cabling.
Less susceptible to interference than UTP/STP so works over longer distances
Cheap, though not as cheap as UTP/STP.
Thickness of cable makes if very difficult to work with
Limited Bandwidth
Fibre Optic
Telephone and Internet cables, cable television and computer networking
Improved security as the cable cannot be tapped/ hacked into
Can be used over long distances
High data transfer rate
Very expensive
Specialist skills needed to install it
VGA
Analogue connection of video display equipment such as projectors
Universally used on high-resolution equipment
Low-cost cabling
Cumber stone cabling
Signal affected over distance (noise)
No DRM (digital rights management)
HDMI
Digital connection of both video and sound from devices to display equipment
Capable of 8K and beyond resolution
Used in computing and entertainment
Limited Length
Cabling and technology is more expensive than analogue equivalents such as VGA
USB/ Firewire
Connecting equipment and peripherals such as printers, scanners, input devices, cameras
High speed capability
Backwards compatibility
Can connect multiple devices
Limited Distance
Limited Power supply
