Connectivity Flashcards
To create a home network what do you need to set up?
A local area network (LAN)
What is Local Area Network (LAN)?
It connects all the computers in a the house so that resources can be shared.
What are home networks mainly used for?
Allows users to share an internet connection.
Name 3 benefits of a home network?
Shares the internet connection
Sharing peripherals, for example printers
Internet telephone services
Connecting to the internet from home requires what?
A router
What is a router?
The router connects all of the computers to the modem by giving an internal IP address.
What is a IP address?
Is used so the router knows where to send data.
What does NIC stand for?
Network interface card
What does Network interface card do?
It is needed to connect the computers to the network unless you are using Wi-fi dongles
What are the two types of Networks?
1) Cable connection by router using Ethernet cable
2) Wireless connection to router using radio or microwaves.
Explain the difference in set up between a cable connection to router using Ethernet cable and Wireless connection to router using radio waves?
Cables have to be run from the router to all the rooms in the house whereas Wireless connection all you need is a wireless router.
Explain the difference in cost between a cable connection to router using Ethernet cable and Wireless connection to router using radio waves?
Installation is expensive for a cable connection whereas wireless connection is cheaper the only cost is the router.
Explain the difference in bandwidth between a cable connection to router using Ethernet cable and Wireless connection to router using radio waves?
For cable connection it is very fast, 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) and NICs are very cheap whereas for Wireless connection it is slower: 54 megabits per second
Explain the difference in security between a cable connection to router using Ethernet cable and Wireless connection to router using radio waves?
For cable connection it is good security as you only need to plug the network into a computer with a cable whereas for wireless connection the security is poor as anyone in range can use the connection unless it is kept secure with a security password.
Explain the difference in interference between a cable connection to router using Ethernet cable and Wireless connection to router using radio waves?
For cable connection it the user should not experience interference whereas for wireless connection, the connection can be affected by walls and distance from router.
Explain the difference in mobility between a cable connection to router using Ethernet cable and Wireless connection to router using radio waves?
For cable connection you cannot connect in a room without socket whereas for a wireless connection you can access the network from anywhere in the house and stay connected moving from room to room.
Name another means of connection?
Powerline
What is a power-line network?
It uses existing power wiring as a framework to carry data.
Give two benefits of using a wireless network at home?
1) Cheaper as only cost is router
2) Can access the network from anywhere in the house
State what piece of equipment needs to be connected to a modem in order to share the connection over a wireless network.
A router.
Which is more secure a wireless network or cable connection?
A cable connection
If you do not secure your network what can happen?
Anyone within range can access it.
To secure your network what should you be advised to do?
People should be advised to change the default password on their router.
Name 4 ways to secure wireless networks?
1) change the default password on their router.
2) setting up a form of encryption
3) Turning off the router when not in use
4) Set up a Media access control (MAC) address filtering
What is Encryption?
scrambles data so that only computers with the right key can read it
Name 3 commonest forms of protection for a wireless connection?
WEP
WPA-PSK
WPA2
What does setting up MAC address filtering mean?
Each device in your network has a MAC address. You can specify which addresses can connect to your wireless network.
Explain why it is important to secure a wireless network?
Wireless networks need to be secured otherwise other people can access your network and use your Internet connection or steal data.
Name 4 examples of how devices can connect or communicate?
1) Wifi
2) GSM - 4G
3) Bluetooth
4) Ethernet port
Why are most mobile phones and laptops compatible?
Because they both have USB ports and can communicate via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology
What does it mean if many devices are converging?
It means that performing functions that were originally performed by different devices
What is a device that can perform several functions called?
A multi-functional device
Jill wears a headset when driving so that she can make calls hands free. State two wireless communication networks that enable her to do this?
1) Bluetooth
2) 3G
Jack is travelling through Europe and would like to upload images he has taken to online albums. He has a digital camera, a mobile phone and a netbook. List two ways in which he could transfer the images from his camera to his netbook.
1) Bluetooth
2) Insert SD card from camera into netbook
Jack is in an area where there is no Wi-Fi signal. Describe how jack could upload the images from his netbook
If he sets his phone as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, then the netbook can join this network and use the 3G network to access the Internet and upload images.
What is measure of Capacity known as?
Bandwidth
What is the measure of delay known as?
Latency
What is Bandwidth?
is the number of bits that can go through the network connection in one second (measured in bits per second, bps).
What does 1 Kbps mean?
1 thousand bits can be transmitted every second
What does 1 Mbps mean
1 million bits can be transmitted every second
What is Latency?
is the time in milliseconds between a bit leaving one device and arriving at the other. It is measured in milliseconds (ms).
For streaming videos, you need a connection with what?
You need a connection with high bandwidth otherwise the video pauses as your computer waits for more bits to arrive.
To get quick search results from Google what type of network connection do you need.
You need a low latency network connection so that information arrives quickly.
The best networks including those suitable for gaming have what?
They have a high bandwidth and low latency.
What does downloading lots of files at once do to data transfer.
It will slow down data transfer as the bandwidth is being shared by each download.
Jed wants to watch BBC iplayer in HD on his computer. Explain why the bandwidth of Jed’s internet is important?
Bandwidth is the number of bits that can go through the network in one second. To stream HD video, Jed will need a high bandwidth, otherwise the video will keep pausing to wait for more bits to arrive.
The most common ways of connecting to the internet on the move are what?
Wi-Fi and mobile broadband
Wi-Fi devices need to be what?
Within range of hotspot
Name 2 advantages of Wi-Fi?
1) Good range (works up to 60 meters from the hotspot)
2) Quiet widely avaliable
Name 2 disadvabtages of Wi-Fi?
1) Hackers can sometimes set up fakr Wi-Fi hotspots putting users’ details at risk
2) Cannot use if not in range of an access point
What does Mobile broadband allow?
It allows devices to connect to the internet via the same network that 3G mobile phones use.
Name 2 advantages of Mobile broadband?
1) Far greater coverage than Wi-Fi
2) More secure than Wi-Fi- data is encrypted
Name 2 disadvantages of Mobile broadband?
1) Lower bandwidth than Wi-Fi
2) You have to pay for mobile broadband, including roaming charges if you are abroad.
Caroline is touring Europe and needs to use her laptop to access the internet to keep in touch with her family and to upload photos. Explain the benefits of using Wi- Fi rather than her 3G dongle?
Wi-Fi has a greater bandwidth than 3G and will be better for uploading photographs and using internet telephone services such as Skype. Wi-Fi hotspots are provided by many cafes and restaurants so she will be able to get a free internet connection rather than having to pay for her 3G connection.
What is a Peer to peer network?
is when digital devices communicate wirelessly with each other directly without the need for a transmitter between them.
What is WiFi direct?
WiFi direct allows devices to connect directly using WiFi without the need of an access point.
Name two advantage of WiFi direct?
1) WiFi direct allows the user to set up peer to peer networks.
2) It also allows devices to use an access point for normal WiFi use.
Name 2 advantages of Bluetooth
1) Allows devices to communicate automatically when within range with no user involvement.
2) Can connect up to eight devices at the same time.
What is the difference between bandwidth between Bluetooth and WiFi Direct?
Bluetooth has a bandwidth of 25 mbps whereas WiFi direct has a Bandwidth of 250 mbps.
What is the difference between Range between Bluetooth and WiFi Direct?
Bluetooth has a range of 60 meters whereas WiFi direct has a range of 200 meters.
Some newspaper articles have claimed that WI-FI direct will replace Bluetooth in most digital devices. List two reasons why this could be the case.
- It has a much higher bandwidth-250 Mbps compared to 25 Mbps
- It has a greater range-200 metres compared to 60 metres
Give two reasons why Bluetooth is not used to network devices in a large office?
Bluetooth has a lower range so the device being networked needs to be close together which would not be the case in a large office and also it has a low bandwidth and so data transfer would be slow.
Explain why Bluetooth rather than traditional WiFi is used for communication between a mobile phone and a headset for hand-free calling?
Using Bluetooth, the two devices can communicate directly without the need for a transmitter, they can also communicate automatically without the need for any user actions.
What are Protocols?
Protocols are rules that devices follow when they communicate with each other.
What is a firewall?
It is a software that permits or blocks connections between your computer and other computers on the network according to the rules you have set.
What is Malware?
Software that is designed to cause problems for user.
What is Authentication?
The process of identifying an individual, can prevent illegal access.
How can you prevent the risk of people accessing your computer and stealing your data?
When you leave computer on ‘Lock’ function in Windows so that a password is required to start using it again.
List three physical controls that can be used to prevent unauthorised people from entering a computer network room.
Locks
CCTV
Security key pads
Describe one biometric method that can be used to authenticate a person’s identity when they are trying to enter a building or log on to a computer system?
Fingerprint scanner that reads a person’s fingerprint and checks whether or not there is a computer account or file in the system for that fingerprint.
