Networks

Question 0

How will cost influence the choice of a network?

Answer 0

Initial purchasing
Installation and training of users
Maintenance of network

Question 1

What factors should be considered to determine what type of network a company should install?

Answer 1

Cost
Size
How it will be used
Existing systems
Performance required 
Security issues 
Topology issues

Question 2

How will the size of the organisation influence the choice of a network?

Answer 2

Large company (need WAN)
Smaller company (may need LAN)
Amount of data processing organisation will require

Question 3

How will the use of the system influence the choice of the network?

Answer 3

If they will need large data storage

Where will the network operate - home/office etc

Question 4

How will the performance required of the network influence the choice of a network

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Name two different types of networks

Answer 5

Peer to peer and client-server

Question 6

What is a peer to peer network?

Answer 6

Used in homes and small organisations
No server, all machines have same status
Each machines can access the resources on every other machine

Question 7

What is a client-server network?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Name three advantages of a peer to peer network?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Name two disadvantages of a peer to peer network

Answer 9

Harder to find files as they’re not stored centrally

Only suitable for v small networks

Question 10

Name two advantages of client-server networks

Answer 10

Centrally stored files are easier to find

More efficient load tolerant for larger networks

Question 11

Name three disadvantages of a client-server network

Answer 11

More expensive - servers are expensive to buy
Specialist knowledge is needed to manage network (NW manager)
If server breaks down, network is unusable

Question 12

Name three different types of network topologies

Answer 12

Bus Ethernet network
Ring network
Star network

Question 13

Explain what is meant by network topology

Answer 13

Physical configuration of network of how terminals are linked together

Question 14

Name three advantages of a bus/ethernet network

Answer 14

Cheap (not much cable)
If one workstation fails others are unaffected
Fine for light traffic

Question 15

Name three disadvantages of bus/ethernet networks

Answer 15

If the backbone cable breaks = failure
If High traffic - lots of data collisions - slow
Data going to every terminal = potentially insecure

Question 16

Name three advantages of ring networks

Answer 16

Each computer has same access, no one computer hogs the NW
Higher transmission speeds so large volumes can be transmitted
No collisions

Question 17

Name three disadvantages of ring networks

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Name three advantages of a star network

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Name two disadvantages of a star networks

Answer 19

There is a dependence on the central server

Higher cost - large amount of cabling needed therefore more expensive

Question 20

Name three advantages of wi-fi

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Name three disadvantages of Wi-Fi

Answer 21

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

Question 22

A network manager uses remote management when managing a network. Describe four tasks that could be carried out using remote mangement

Answer 22

Send instant messages
Check on components to see if any failing
Guide users through problems
Shut down stations