Network Flashcards
Expand NIC
Network Interface Card
Explain NIC
A electronic board installed in a computer to allow it to connect to a network
It has a port to allow a network cable(Ethernet) to be attached
What is a network cable
cable that physically connects a computer to a network
Networking cable is a piece of networking hardware used to connect one network device to other network devices or to connect two or more computers to share devices such as printers or scanners.
what are network cable classified categories
network cable are classified into categories depending on speed of transmission e.g. Cat6 cabling has a higher transmission performance compared to Cat5
What is Lan and what does it do
Lan can make use of both cable and wireless media
wireless gives the convenience of no cable
connecting cables in a Lan means there is a higher data transfer speed, higher reliability and security
Types Of Network and explain what each are made from and what they do
ethernet cable contains copper wires that carry electrical signals
optical cable are made from from fibre glass which carry data around a network via pulses of light
What is File server
A powerful computer on a network, it stores user’s files
What is a Switch
hardware device which is a signal connection point for computers on a network.
large numbers of computers to be connected to it directly using network cables.
checks the destination of data it receives can ensures it is forwarded to the intended computer.
what is a router and what does it do
Connects a number of networks together either by cable or wireless
Routers are situated at gateways where two or more network connect
Routes examines data as it passes and forwards the data using the most appropriate route to its destination
IP addresses are used to determine the route data travels to
Explain Bus Network
All computer are connected to a main cable known as the ‘backbone’
Data can travel in both direction in the backbone
terminators are placed at each end of the backbone
Use of Terminators on the bus network
Stop the signal returning/bouncing back down the backbone cable and absorbs the data
How do you add a new computer to the Bus Network
The cable is attached to the backbone
What happens if a cable attached to the backbone fails?
Only the computer of the cable will fail to operate
What happens if the backbone fails
the whole network will fail
Advantage of Bus Network
If cable is attached to the backbone fails, only that computer will fail to operate
Disadvantage of Bus Network
If the backbone/main cable breaks all communication breaks down
Explain Star Network
Computers are connected by their own cable to a powerful computer called the file server
All Data on the network passes through the file sever
How do you add a new computer to the Star Network
an additional computer can be added by attaching it (using its own cable ) top the file sever
What happens if a cable fails in the Star Network
it will only affect the computer it is connected to and the rest of the network will operate as normal
Advantage of Star Network
If cable fails, it will only affect the computer it is connected to and the rest of the network will operate as normal
Easy to add new machines, high performance
Disadvantage of Star Network
If server fails the network fails
Expensive cabling/instalments and management of equipment
Explain Ring Network
There is no central or control computer
Each computer is directly connected to two other adjacent computers to form a ring
All data travels in one direction by visiting each computer in turn until it reaches its intended destination
How to add a new computer to the Ring Network
Cable between two existing computers has to be broken and each part of the broken cable attached to the new computer
What happens if a cable fails in the Ring Network
the whole connection fails
