Networks And Security Flashcards
What is a network?
A network is more than one computer system connected together allowing for communication and sharing of resources
What are the advantages of networks?
- Easily share files, software and hardware between computers
- An administrator can monitor network activity and control security settings
- Log in from any connected computer and access your data and files
 What are the disadvantages of networks?
- There is an initial cost because network devices like routers are required. Larger companies will need to buy and maintain a server
- Security breaches are more likely and malware, such as worms, can spread quickly across a network.
Name the Network Types
LAN - Computer systems situated geographically close together (school,office)
WAN - Computer systems situated geographically distant to each other (across a country or even the world)
PAN - A personal network for an individual
VPN - Allows for a secure and encrypted connection to a public network like the internet.
Properties of Wired Connections
:( - Restricted Movement
:) - Faster
- More Secure
- NIC Required
Properties of Wireless Connections
:( - Slower
- Less Secure
:) - Freedom Of Movement
- WNIC Required
What is a data packet?
When sending data across a network, files are broken down into smaller parts called data packets. Whole files are too large to transfer as one unit.
What are the contents of a Data Packet?
- Source Address
- Destination Address
- Information To Reassemble
- Tracking Information
- The Data
- Checksum
What is Packet and Circuit Switching?
Circuit Switching sends data along the same route.
Packet Switching sends data packets along different routes.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of Circuit Switching?
:) - Reassembling the data is quick as packets arrive in the order they were sent
- More Reliable (as it’s sent in one continuous stream)
- Transmission is fast and should encounter few errors
:( - Less Secure (as hackers could intercept the data)
- Establishing a connection takes time to set up
- Single point of failure
What are the advantages/disadvantages of Packet Switching?
:) - Transmission is more secure as it’s difficult for hackers to intercept
- Data packets can be sent efficiently and individually across less busy routes
- No single point of failure
:( - Reassembling the data takes longer as packets may arrive out of order
- It is less reliable as some data packets may not reach the destination (packet loss)
What are the advantages/disadvantages of a Bus Topology?
:) - Easy to attach new systems
- Quick to set up
- Cost effective
:( - Poor security
- Data collisions are likely
- Slow
What are the advantages/disadvantages of a Ring Topology?
:) - Data collisions are avoided
- Attaching more systems will not affect transfer speed
:( - Single point of failure
- To add another system the network must be temporarily shut down
What are the advantages/disadvantages of a Star Topology?
:) - Improved Security
- New systems can be attached directly without shutting down the network
:( - Extra hardware (like a hub or a switch) is required
- If the central system fails then the whole network will be unstable until fixed
What are the advantages/disadvantages of a Mesh Topology?
:) - If one cable or system fails then data packets can an alternative route
- Withstand large amounts of data traffic
- New systems can be attached directly
:( - Expensive to install and maintain
- Redundant cabling should be avoided
