Network Flashcards
What is a network?
In its most basic form, a network is two computers connected with a cable (Ethernet). Both computers can access each others files and data. This is achieved by connecting both computers with a single Ethernet cable.
What are the advantages of a Network?
It allows communications between workers.
It allows data to be shared.
It allows peripherals (computer peripheral is any external device that provides input and output for the computer. For example, a keyboard and mouse are input peripherals) to be shared.
It allows computers to be upgraded more easily.
It allows distributed processing (computers to do jobs together).
What are the disadvantages of a Network?
Expertise required to set up a large network.
Expensive to buy network equipment.
Security issues from unauthorised access to data.
Measures to secure include: Strong passwords, changing passwords constantly, do not allow users to install software, with wireless access use encryption.
What is a LAN?
A LAN is a Local Area Network. It is a connected set of computers and other devices (printers, servers etc). A LAN covers a small geographical area. All the hardware/cables/computers etc are owned by the organisation or individual who owns the LAN.
What is a WAN?
A WAN is a Wide Area Network. A WAN is when computers are connected over a large geographical area. This could be several buildings/sites, town wide, county side of even country wide. WAN’s are normally made up of multiple smaller networks or LANd connected together.
What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?
A Network Interface Card produces the electrical signals that carry data via the Ethernet cable. Each device needs a NIC to connect to the LAN.
What is a hub?
A hub is a device that connects nodes together to make the them act as a single segment. they are not smart and all data packets are transmitted to all devices. They are cheap and USB hubs are useful in home computer installations.
What is a switch?
A switch is a smart device that can create and connect to different segments of the network. This reduces network traffic because data is confined to the segment where it is needed rather than being broadcast to the whole network.
What is a router?
A router sends data between different networks by working with data packets.
What is a wireless access point?
A wireless access point allows you to connect a device to a network without having to use a physical wire. The most common sense of connecting your device is by using Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi may seem like a great way to avoid trailing wires all over your house but there are good and bad points about using a wireless network.
What is a peer-to-peer network?
A peer-to-peer is a network. There is no server, all computers have the same status, it can be slow because of data collisions or shared processor power and it is only suitable for small networks.
What is a client server?
A client server is a network. It is a high specific machine , it offers servers to client machines, such as centrally held software, data, file storage and peripheral access. A server controls network traffic. It provides security. Clients have to log in - this identifies users and assigns rights. Big networks may have hundreds of servers each which carries out a diffrent job. An example of an organisation with a client server network is Sacred Heart High School.
What is a topology?
Network topology refers to the physical or logical layout of a network. It defines the way different nodes are placed and interconnected with each other.
What is a bus topology?
A bus topology is a where there is one common linking cable, nodes are connected of the cable. They are cheap to get. The disadvantages are that they slow when there is heavy traffic, there are lots of data collisions, breakage to cable affects the whole network and limited distance possible.
What is a ring topology?
A ring topology is a common linking cable that passes all nodes. It has one direction traffic and fast performance. However any problems and the whole network goes down.
What is a star topology?
A star topology is a very common shared link to servers. There is few data collisions and it is very fast.
What is a mesh topology?
A mesh topology is when each component is linked to every other component so if one node goes down, the network will continue to work. It can handle a lot of data, as there are multiple paths to each node.
