Network types, hardware, architecture Flashcards
what is a computer network
comprised of two or more computer systems that are connected and can communicate and exchange data
what are the two roles that a computer can play in a network
client
server
what is a client
computer system or a software application that requests a service from a server connected to the same network
what is a server
computer system or a software application that provides a service to other computers connected to the same network
what are the 3 most commonly used network hardware components
hub
switch
router
what is a hub
connection point for devices on a single network that consists of a multiple ports
how do network devices connect to a hub
using an ethernet cable that attach to a port of the hub
how does the hub work
when a network device wants to send a data to another device, it sends the data to the hub
the hub copies the data and sends it to all the devices connected to its ports
the device waiting to receive it accepts it whilst all the other devices ignore it
disadv of hub
slows down network
creates a lot of traffic on the network
what is a switch
connection hub for devices on a single network
how does a switch work
unlike a hub, it can identify the network device connected to each port - transmits data to the exact port where the network device it intends to send it to is connected
adv of switch
network is faster than a hub
what is a router
joins multiple networks and serves as an intermediary between these networks
what is LAN
computer network which connects computer systems within a limited geographical area (eg. office / school)
adv of LAN
high data-transfer speed
allow sharing of peripheral devices (eg. printer) - don’t need to buy certain peripheral devices for each computer
technology used to build LANs
ethernet cables, hub, switch
adv WLAN (wireless local area network)
easy to connect - wireless
disadv of WLAN
less secure than LANs because its wireless
what is VLAN (virtual local area network)
when each department has its own isolated network that cannot be accessed from the outside - the switch from every LAN is connected to the central switch so they can still communicate
adv of VLAN
safe
better performance than LAN
more flexible
what is WAN
computer network that connects computer systems in a larger geographical area (eg. internet)
usually consists of LANs connected together over a broad geographical area
what is PAN
network that connects devices centered around an individual’s workspace - only supports one person
how to devices on PAN connect
wired through USB
wirelessly through bluetooth
what is storage area network SAN
network created so that large storage devices can be accessible from servers conveniently
network that connects servers to storage devices so that they have enough storage space to complete their tasks
what is intranet
collection of private computer networks that utilizes standard network protocols (eg. TCP/IP)
what is the purpose of an intranet
facilitate communication between individuals - improve data sharing
why is intranet safe
resources, services are not available to people outside the company
what is an extranet
computer network that utilizes the internet to allow controlled access to specific individuals outside the company working on a LAN or WAN
what is the internet
global WAN connecting millions of computer systems
how do users gain access to the internet
goes through an internet service provider (ISP) that provides access to the internet
what are internet of things
network of individual systems that are able to connect to the internet - they all carry necessary software, hardware, are assigned to an IP address
what is peer 2 peer network
uses distributed network architecture
all the computer systems (nodes/peer) in the network are decentralized
they are both clients and servers at the same time
what is VPN
computer network that connects two or more computer systems that allows clients from remote locations to connect to the network and appear to be inside the LAN
