Networks - 1.3.1

Question 1

What is a LAN (4)?

Answer 1

Local area network
Covers a small geographical location
Either wired or wireless
Owned by the organisation that uses it e.g. businesses, schools, universities

Question 2

What is a WAN (3)?

Answer 2

Wide area network
Connects LAN’s in different geographical areas
Organisations hire infrastructure as it’s much more expensive
The internet

Question 3

What is a network(2)?

Answer 3

Two or more computers connected for the purpose of communication
Connected by a wired medium

Question 4

Advantages (3) & disadvantages (4) of using a network:

Answer 4

File sharing
Communication
Roaming access

Cost - additional equipment is required
Management - technical staff needed
Spread of malware
Hacking

Question 5

What is a NIC (3)?

Answer 5

Network interface controller
Allows devices to connect to a network, both wired and wireless connections
Built into the motherboard

Question 6

What is a switch (2)?

Answer 6

Connects devices in a LAN
Receive data from one device and transmits it to the device on the same network with the correct MAC address

Question 7

What is a router (3)?

Answer 7

Transmits data between networks
Always connected to at least 2 different networks
Directs data in packets to their destination
Used in homes and offices to connect the LAN to the internet

Question 8

What are the different Ethernet cables to connect devices on a LAN (3)?

Answer 8

Twisted pair cables - most common, least expensive transmission media,
Coaxial cables - surrounded by insulation and a shield of braided wire to avoid interference
Fibre optic - transmit data as light, high performance, DONT suffer interference, large distances

Question 9

How does a wireless network work? Examples:

Answer 9

Uses radio waves to transmit data
Bluetooth - direct connection between two devices
Wi-fi - multiple devices connect to a LAN at the same time

Question 10

Features of Ethernet (5):

Answer 10

Stable connection
Faster traffic speed
Good quality signal
Reduced possibility of being hacked
Slower transfer speeds

Question 11

Features of Wireless (6):

Answer 11

Can connect to multiple devices without needing extra hardware
Vulnerable to hacking and interference
Signal quality reduces through walls
Less disruption to building - less wires
Cheap set up costs
Not as stable connection

Question 12

What are the factors affecting network performance (3)?

Answer 12

Bandwidth - greater bandwidth means better performance
Number of devices in network
Network latency - period of time delay in computer system

Question 13

What is a client - server network?

Answer 13

Server provides services to other computers on the network or manages and stores files e.g file server, web server, print server
Clients are computers that rely on other computers (servers) to manage and store data
Best for organisations with many computers or computers that need to access the same data e.g. schools

Question 14

Pros (5) & cons (4) of client-server:

Answer 14

Easy to keep track of files
Easy to do backups
Easy to install and update software
Easier to manage network security
Servers are reliable and always on

Expensive
Need IT specialist to maintain
Server dependence
Server may become overloaded

Question 15

What is a peer-peer network (3)?

Answer 15

All computers are equal
Files are stored and managed in individual devices
Best for smaller organisations with less computers

Question 16

Pros (2) & cons (3) of a peer-peer network:

Answer 16

Easy to maintain - don’t need expertise or expensive hardware
No dependence in the server

No centralised management
Copying files between devices creates duplicate files
Less reliable as data is lost if one fails

Question 17

What is a topology?

Answer 17

Layout of a network

Question 18

What is a star topology?

Answer 18

All devices are connected to a central switch or server that controls the network
May be wired or wireless

Question 19

Pros (3) & cons (2) of star topology:

Answer 19

If a device fails then the rest of the network is unaffected
Simple to add more devices
Few data collision

Every device needs a cable - can be expensive
Problem with the switch/server affects the whole network

Question 20

What is a mesh topology?

Answer 20

No central server or switch
Every device is either directly or indirectly connected to each other
Work by sending data across the fastest route

Question 21

Pros (2) & cons (1) of mesh topology:

Answer 21

No single point where the network can fail
If one device fails the data is sent along another route

Very expensive - many wires needed

Question 22

Difference between partial and full mesh topology:

Answer 22

Full mesh - every device is connected to every other
Partial mesh - not all devices are fully conmected

Question 23

What is the internet?

Answer 23

A network of networks p - a WAN which connects devices and networks all over the world
Lots of fibre optic cables running across the sea

Question 24

What is a DNS (2)?

Answer 24

Domain Name Service
Used to translate domain names into IP addresses

Question 25

What is the cloud (3)?

Answer 25

Lots of servers
Remote access to storage and software
Internet accessible

Question 26

Pros (5) & cons (6) of the cloud:

Answer 26

Accessible anywhere with a connection
No need for IT staff
Security and backups
Scalable (can easily grow)
Reduced operating costs

Privacy
Needs internet connection
Bandwidth limitation
Vulnerable to hackers
Cost increase
Laws