Network Flashcards
What is a network?
Two or more computers that are connected together for the purpose of communication.
Advantages of using networks
File sharing-users can share files with others.
Hardware sharing-users can share hardware such as a printer.
Software sharing-users can share software applications .
Communication-users can communicate via email,chat or by video.
Roaming access-users can sign into any computer on the network and be able to access their files.
Disadvantages of networks
Cost- additional equipment is needed to allow computers to communicate.
Management- networks require management by technical staff such as a network manager.
Spread of malware- viruses and other forms of malware can easily spread across an improperly secured network.
Hacking- once a device is connected to another device it is possible that data may be accessed without the device owner’s permission.
What are the benefits of a larger network?
Centralised maintenance and updates- network managers can apply software updates across a network. This removes the need for a user to install updates.
Centralised security- anti-virus software and firewalls can be implemented across a network,helping to protect user files from risks.
User monitoring- network managers can monitor what users do on a network.
Levels of access- different users can be given different access rights, so files and passwords can be accessed only by those who need to do so.
What is a firewall?
A type of software or hardware that stops unauthorised access to the network. A firewall is a piece of software usually included as a utility within an operating system.
What are 2 advantages of bus network?
Quick to set up.
Easy to implement and to add more nodes to the network.
Cheap as less cabling is required.
What are 2 disadvantages of a bus network?
It can be difficult to find out where an error has occurred.
If there is a problem with the main bus cable, the entire network stops working.
Data collisions are more likely which causes the network to slow down.
Where would a bus network topology be used?
Office or laboratory.
Small cheap and often temporary network is needed that does not rely on very high data transfer speeds.
What are 2 advantages of a ring network?
There are no network collisions because the data is passed around the network in one direction.
Adding additional nodes has very little impact on bandwidth.
What are 2 disadvantages of ring network?
If any of the nodes fail, then the ring is broken and data cannot be transmitted.
It’s difficult to troubleshoot a ring network topology.
Because all nodes are wired together, the network must be temporarily stopped to add additional nodes.
Uses of ring network topologies.
Used when a simple network is needed.
They are suitable for locations that do not rely on very high data-transfer speeds, and where the network is unlikely to alter in size or structure.
A small office with only a few nodes may use a ring network topology.
What are 2 advantages of star network?
Each node is separately connected and therefore a failure of one node or its link does not affect any other nodes.
New nodes can be added to the network simply by connecting them to the switch.
Star network topologies tend to have higher performance as a message is passed on to its intended recipient only.
What are 2 disadvantages of star network?
The whole network fails if the switch fails, as no node can communicate.
A wired star network topology requires plenty of cable - in a large network this can be expensive.
Bottlenecking can occur if too much traffic passes through the central switch, making the network slow.
Uses of star network topologies.
Large organisations, such as educational establishments and businesses, where high performance is a must.
They are also found in home networks, especially those that are wireless In this case, a router with a wireless access point (WAP) provides the central connection for all nodes.
What are the 2 types of mesh network topology?
Full mesh.
Partial mesh.
How does a full mesh network work?
each node is directly connected to every other node.
This enables a message to be sent along many individual routes.
How does a partial mesh network topology work?
With a partial mesh network topology, not all nodes are connected directly to each other.
A partial mesh therefore has fewer routes for a message to travel along than a full mesh, but it is simpler to implement.
2 Advantages of mesh network
Messages can be received more quickly if the route to the intended recipient is short.
Messages should always get through as they have many possible routes on which to travel.
Multiple connections mean - in theory - that no node should be isolated.
Multiple connections mean each node can transmit to and receive from more than one node at the same time.
New nodes can be added without interruption or interfering with other nodes
