computer networks Flashcards
lan vs wan
coverage, runs it, expensive, connected with, where used
small geographical location / large
organisations using it / ppl who owned it are called in
wan is expensive
ethernet or wireless (wifi) /copper and fibre optic
homes / diff offices connected around the world
4 benefits of lan and wan
access and share work to work collaboratively
easy and cheap communication through instant messages
download/update software all at once
can log in from any device connected as its stored centrally
whats a nic
network interface controller
allows devices to connect to a network and its an internal hardware in motherboard
can be wired and wireless
switch meaning
connects devices to LAN
retrieves and directs info from and to the device with correct mac address
router meaning
connects different networks and transmits data between them and directs data to destination in the internet
why are routers used in homes and offices
to connect lan to the internet
most common ethernet cables
CAT 5e and 6 which have 4 twisted pairs of copper wires to reduce interference
what do fibre optic cables do and their characteristics
transmits data by light
are high performance to reduce interference and transmit over large distances without losing signal quality but are expensive
what do wireless networks like phones and tvs use to transmit data
radio waves
compare 2 wireless technologies
bluetooth as a direct connection between 2 devices so data can be shared, connection range of 10m, low bandwidth (compared to wifi), and often used in mobiles and wearable devices
wifi can be used by multiple devices to connect to LAN at same time, connection range of 40-100m, high bandwidth, often used in desktops, laptops, phones, routers
what do you need to set up a wifi network and connect devices
wireless access point WAP
what is used if wireless NICe arent built in to devices needed to connect
USB and HDMI dongles
4 factors that affect performance of networks
greater bandwidth (amount of data in given time) also shared between devices so can get congested and slow network
wired connections and faster and more reliable than wireless such as fibre optic better than copper
wireless depends on signal quality - range, interference, physical obsturctions
choice of hardware and network topology
client networks meaning and what occurs in them
managed by a server and connected with clients who request info and get a response
files and software are stored centrally such as user profiles and passwords
what may a client server require before fulfilling requests
a password