Networks Flashcards
(20 cards)
Define a network?
A network is a group of connected devices that can communicate with one another and share resources.
What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?
A local area network, or LAN, is a network that connects devices within a small area, such as a home, office, or school. LANs can be wired or wireless, and the bandwidth and the number of devices connected to a LAN network depend on the router’s capacity.
What are the advantages of a (LAN)?
- Easy to set up and
maintain - Fast data transfer speeds
- Secure because it’s in a
limited area - Can be used to share
resources like printers,
files, and internet
connections
What are the disadvantages of (LAN)?
- Limited range
- Data transfer rate and
capacity
depend on the router - High installation and
maintenance costs for
wired
LANs - May pose security risks if
not properly checked
What is a Wireless local area network (WLAN)?
WLANs allow devices to connect to the internet or each other without using cables or wires. This flexibility makes them a convenient way to access the internet. WLANs are commonly found in public spaces like airports, cafes, and libraries, as well as in homes and offices. They use a wireless access point (WAP) to connect devices to the network and can support various devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
What are the advantages of (WLAN)?
- Provides wireless
connectivity, allowing for
greater mobility and
flexibility - Easier to set up and
expand compared to wired
networks - Can be less expensive than
wired networks, especially
in areas where cabling is
difficult or impossible to
install - Allows for easy access to
the internet and network
resources from multiple
devices - Supports multiple users
simultaneously
What are the disadvantages of (WLAN)?
- Limited range and signal
strength compared to
wired networks, requiring
additional access points for
larger areas - Security risks due to the
wireless signal being
accessible to anyone within
range, requiring strong
encryption and
authentication measures - Slower speeds compared
to wired networks,
especially over longer
distances or when multiple
users are connected - May require additional
equipment and
maintenance, such as
repeaters and signal
boosters, to maintain
connectivity and
performance
What is a Wide Area Nework (WAN)?
A Wide Area Network (WAN) covers a vast area, connecting hundreds and thousands of local area networks (LANs) in separate places. The internet is an excellent example of a WAN. As you may recall, WANs utilize various methods like leased lines, satellites, and wireless networks to connect the LANs to the main network.
What are the advantages of (WAN)?
- Enables communication
and sharing of resources
across large distances - Allows for remote access
and collaboration - Can improve efficiency and
productivity in a distributed
organization - Keeps working if there is a
failure in one part of the
network without affecting
the overall performance of
the system
What are the disadvantages of (WAN)?
- Needs expensive, high
bandwidth, and
dependable connections - Could face security threats
and attacks over public
connections - Troubleshooting and
maintenance over a large
area can be challenging - Performance and user
experience could be
affected by network
congestion and latency
What is a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)?
This is a type of network that connects multiple LANs within a city or metropolitan area. MANs are used to provide high-speed connectivity for organizations that have multiple locations across a city. Large business entities or government agencies typically use them.
What are the advantages of (MAN)?
- Allows communication
among devices over a
larger geographic area
than a LAN - High-speed data transfer
capability - Provides centralized
management of network
resources - Enables remote access and
collaboration between
employees at separate
locations - Can be customized to fit
the specific needs of an
organization
What are the disadvantages of (MAN)?
- Can be expensive to install
and maintain - May require specialized
knowledge and expertise
to manage - Can be vulnerable to
security breaches if not
properly secured - May experience
performance issues due to
network congestion
distance between locations
What are Storage Area Networks (SAN)?
Storage Area Networks (SANs) are commonly used in enterprise-level environments to provide fast and reliable storage for many servers and applications. Let’s explore where SAN systems can add value.
Banks and financial institutions need to store and access large amounts of data for their day-to-day operations. SANs are commonly used to provide fast and reliable data storage, including customer information, financial transactions, and more.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities generate and store a significant amount of data, including patient records, medical images, and other resources.
A SAN can be used to provide storage for this data, which is critical for patient care and research.
And media and entertainment companies such as movie studios, television networks, and streaming services generate and store a vast amount of digital content.
A SAN can be used to provide fast and reliable storage for this content, which is critical for content delivery and post-production workflows.
What are the advantages of (SAN)?
- Provides fast, reliable, and
centralized storage for a
large amount of data - Can be easily scaled and
expanded to accommodate
growing storage needs - Allows for backup, disaster
recovery, and business
continuity solutions - Offers high-speed data
transfers and improved
performance for critical
applications - Provides security and data
protection with access
controls and encryption
What are the disadvantages of (SAN)?
- Can be complex and
expensive to implement
and maintain, requiring
specialized
hardware and software - May require dedicated IT
staff for management and
maintenance - Could be a single point of
failure if not correctly
configured for redundancy - Performance can be
impacted if the network is
not efficient
What is a Personal Area Nework (PAN)?
You already know about PANs, which are small networks typically temporarily connecting personal devices. For instance, when you link your laptop and smartphone through Bluetooth or share the internet using hotspots, you are creating a PAN. This type of network can help simplify tasks by allowing devices to communicate with each other, and it’s especially useful for people who are on the go and need to share files or connect to the internet quickly. However, PANs are limited in range, and devices need to be close to each other to work properly.
What is a Desktop Area Nework (DAN)?
This is a type of computer network that connects multiple devices to one single device. For example, it connects printers, scanners, and external storage devices to a desktop computer, enabling them to be accessed and shared by multiple users. Like all other small area networks, DANs have limited range and capability and sometimes a slower data transfer rate.
What is a Tiny Area Nework (TAN)?
A TAN links devices in a small area, usually within a few meters of each other, such as in a room. It is designed to consume low power and is often used for smart homes and connecting wearable technology and internet of things (IoT) devices. TANs are similar to PANs and DANs because they have limited range and data transfer rates.
What is a Campus Area Network (CAN)?
CANs connect multiple buildings within a small geographical area, such as a college campus, university, or office complex. A CAN is typically designed to provide high-speed connectivity between buildings and support many users. This type of network can be complex to set up and maintain, requiring specialized equipment and expertise.
