Networks Flashcards
COMPUTER NETWORKS
What is a computer network?
A computer network is 2 or more devices connected to communicate and share resources.
Advantages of a computer network:
○Share data
○Share storage
○Share internet
○Share peripherals
○Files can be shared easily between users
○Data is easy to backup as all the data is stored on the file server
○Site (software) licenses are likely to be cheaper than buying standalone licenses
Disadvantages of a computer network:
○Hacking
○Security
○Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive
○Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer network
○A danger of hacking, particularly with WANS. Security procedures are needed to prevent abuse > firewall
WAP
Wireless access point, uses a radio transceiver to allow wireless connections to a network. In effect, the WAP creates its own wireless network, which devices connect to. The WAP then sends wireless traffic it receives onto the main wired network. WAPs can also be used to extend the range of a wireless network.
NIC
Network interface card, a circuit board installed in a computer to allow it to be connected to a network.
Router
One of the most commonly used connection devices. They are used to send data signals across the internet. Routers work by collecting knowledge of available routes to transmit data. They then determine the most suitable route for sending data.
Switch
Switch connects various devices in a network.
TYPES OF NETWORKS
What is a PAN?
Personal Area Network - covers a very small area.
Examples- Cell phones, headsets, wireless keyboards, wireless mice, printers, barcode scanners, game consoles.
What is a LAN?
Local Area Network - covers a small geographical area.
Examples- Schools, offices, colleges, homes
What is a WAN?
Wide Area Network - covers a large geographical area.
Examples- Internet, organisations that have more than one office or branch, national telephone infrastructures or via wireless transmission, banks
What is a WLAN?
Wireless Local Area Network
TOPOLOGIES
Star topology:
All nodes indirectly connect to each other through one or more switches.
The switch acts as a central point through which all communications are passed.
Large networks using a star topology are usually controlled by one or more servers.
Peer-to-peer networks can also have a star topology.
Advantages of a star topology:
○If one device fails, the rest of the network is unaffected
○There are fewer data collisions
Disadvantages of a star topology:
○The cost is expensive-have to buy specialist hardware
○You can add a certain number of devices depending on the number of possible connections on the network determined by the switch
Bus topology:
All nodes in the network are connected directly to a central cable that runs up and down the network.
This cable is known as the backbone.
Data is sent up and down the backbone until it reaches the correct node.
It is easy to connect nodes to the network.
Less cabling is needed compared to a star topology, making it cheaper to install.
Advantages of a bus topology:
○If one device fails, the whole network is unaffected
○It doesn’t have a switch-cheap
Disadvantages of a bus topology:
○Data collisions are more frequent
○If the main cable breaks it can split the network into 2 or shut the entire network down because there will be a lot of reflected signals-reliant on the main cable
TCP/IP MODEL
Sending data:
Application layer > Transport layer > Internet/network layer > Link/Data link layer
Receiving data:
Link/Data link layer > Internet/Network layer > Transport layer > Application layer
Application layer:
○Opening web browser > software
○Where the software operates: web browsers, email services
Protocols used: ○HTTP ○HTTPS ○FTP ○IMAP ○SMTP