Networks Flashcards
How will cost influence the choice of a network?
Initial purchasing
Installation and training of users
Maintenance of network
What factors should be considered to determine what type of network a company should install?
Cost Size How it will be used Existing systems Performance required Security issues Topology issues
How will the size of the organisation influence the choice of a network?
Large company (need WAN) Smaller company (may need LAN) Amount of data processing organisation will require
How will the use of the system influence the choice of the network?
If they will need large data storage
Where will the network operate - home/office etc
How will the performance required of the network influence the choice of a network
Different parts of the organisation may have different requirements
Eg. A real time e-commerce system may require greater speeds, capacity and security than an in house pay roll system
Name two different types of networks
Peer to peer and client-server
What is a peer to peer network?
Used in homes and small organisations
No server, all machines have same status
Each machines can access the resources on every other machine
What is a client-server network?
Used in larger orgs
Usually there is a central server that client machines can access
Server carries out many functions such as file storage, printing and Internet access
Name three advantages of a peer to peer network?
Cost saving as no server is needed so all computers can be the same
No network manager is needed - all users take responsibility for network
All machines have same status
Name two disadvantages of a peer to peer network
Harder to find files as they’re not stored centrally
Only suitable for v small networks
Name two advantages of client-server networks
Centrally stored files are easier to find
More efficient load tolerant for larger networks
Name three disadvantages of a client-server network
More expensive - servers are expensive to buy
Specialist knowledge is needed to manage network (NW manager)
If server breaks down, network is unusable
Name three different types of network topologies
Bus Ethernet network
Ring network
Star network
Explain what is meant by network topology
Physical configuration of network of how terminals are linked together
Name three advantages of a bus/ethernet network
Cheap (not much cable)
If one workstation fails others are unaffected
Fine for light traffic
Name three disadvantages of bus/ethernet networks
If the backbone cable breaks = failure
If High traffic - lots of data collisions - slow
Data going to every terminal = potentially insecure
Name three advantages of ring networks
Each computer has same access, no one computer hogs the NW
Higher transmission speeds so large volumes can be transmitted
No collisions
Name three disadvantages of ring networks
Faults are difficult to locate
It is impossible to keep network running whilst equipment is added or removed because there is only one path
Break in cable - network won’t work
Name three advantages of a star network
It is fault tolerant - if one cable fails other computers can still be used
Load tolerant - extra computers can be added without much loss in performance as all have own path to server
Easy to add computers as it won’t disturb network
Name two disadvantages of a star networks
There is a dependence on the central server
Higher cost - large amount of cabling needed therefore more expensive
Name three advantages of wi-fi
Allows inexpensive LANs to be set up without cables
Allows people the freedom of working anywhere a signal can be received
Health and safety - tidier desktop with no trailing cables
Name three disadvantages of Wi-Fi
Power consumption is high - laptops etc quickly exhaust rechargeable batteries
Wi-Fi networks have a very limited range eg. 150ft
Transmission speed is slower than cable
A network manager uses remote management when managing a network. Describe four tasks that could be carried out using remote mangement
Send instant messages
Check on components to see if any failing
Guide users through problems
Shut down stations
