Computing - Networks & Internet Flashcards
What is a LAN?
A local area network is a network that covers one site
What is a node?
A device connected to a network
Give 5 advantages of LAN
It allows: Communications between workers Data to be shared Peripherals to be shared Computers to be upgraded more easily Distributed processing
Give 5 disadvantages of LAN
Expertise required to set up large network Strong passwords Changing passwords frequently Does not allow users to install software Wireless access requires encryption
What is a NIC?
A network interface card is a needed in a node because it produces the electrical signals that carry data
What is a hub?
A device that connects all nodes together and makes them act as one segment
What is a switch?
A device that can create and connect to different segments of the network
What are routers?
Devices that work with data packets to send data between networks
What are the 2 network types?
Peer to peer (all computers are connected to a hub) Client server (one computer is a server which connects to a hub, the hub connects to the other computers)
What is the network topology?
The physical layout of the network
Give 3 network topologies
Star
Ring
Bus
What are the advantages of star topology?
Fast
Few data collisions
Can set up individual segments
What are the advantages of ring topology?
Fast
One direction traffic so no collisions
What is the disadvantage of ring topology?
If there is any problems, the whole network goes down
What are the advantages of bus topology?
One common linking cable
Nodes connected off the cable
Inexpensive
What are the disadvantages of bus topology?
Slows down when there is heavy traffic
Frequent data collisions
Breakage of cable affects the whole network
What is a WAN?
A wide area network is a network that covers a large geographical area and is usually provided by telecoms companies
What is VPN?
A network that uses the internet as an infrastructure and needs enhanced security
What are protocols?
The rules for the connection between devices on a network or from that network to another
What is TCP/IP?
The most commonly used set of protocols
What are DNS servers?
Servers that convert domain names (www.google.co.uk etc.) to IP addresses
What is MAC addressing?
A media access control address is one that relates to the hardware of one computer (like a physical IP address)
What is a packets?
Chunks of data that travel around a network until they reach their destination where they open up
Give the 3 security methods on a network
Access levels (certain users have more permissions than others)
Passwords
Encryption (WEP, WPA etc.)
