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
Advantage of Ring Network
Not reliant on file server
Disadvantage of Ring Network
If a cable fails, the whole network is affected
To add a new computer it is more difficult than a bus or star
what is a broadband
this is the physical connection that runs from the provider to your connection (router)
what are examples of broadbands
BT
EE
O2
virgin media
Explain Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet access
Made possible using radio waves and wireless router
How should you protect your network
You can protect your network by using a password
Advantage of Wi-Fi
Being able to set up network without the need for cabling
Access Wi-Fi anywhere there is a network in the wireless proximity
Disadvantages of Wi-Fi
Signal strength depends on how far you are from the router
Explain Bluetooth
Uses short range wireless technology in the form of radio signals to connect two devices together
allows data to be transferred between them
device needs to be in close proximity
devices have to be synchronise to begin transferring data
For devices to begin transferring data between each other they have to be paired
Advantages of Bluetooth
no need for third party provider
no need for router
cheap
uses less power than other wireless technology
Disadvantages of Bluetooth
device how to be in close proximity
Explain Optical Fibre
very thin glass strands to send data at very fast transmission speeds
uses pulses of light
consists of a bundle of glass strands, each strands carries one data signal which means many data signals can be sent at one time in the bundle-
Advantages of Optical Fibre
signals (data) cannot be interfered with (hacker) meaning security is higher than using copper
Greater bandwidth - a larger capacity of data can be sent over a period of time
Disadvantages of Optical Fibre
expensive to install
Requires the use of repeaters for data to travel over large distances
