Networks (Paper 2) Flashcards
Define the word network
a network is two or more computers that are interacting with each other and sharing data
What are the benefits of networks?
- easier to share information
- sharing resources eg printers
- cost efficient
What are the disadvantages of networks?
- more accessible to hackers
- viruses can spread easier
What is a PAN?
Personal Area Network, small networks, 10 meters range
eg Bluetooth
What is a LAN?
Local Area Network, larger scale network, connects buildings - used in office blocks
What is a WAN?
Wide Area Network, largest network, used to connect computers over long distances eg intercontinental
What are some advantages of a wireless network over a wired network?
- can move freely with device
- more convenient as on wired all devices must be connected to an ethernet cable
What are some advantages of a wired network over a wireless network?
- stronger connection to the internet
- harder to be hacked in comparison to wireless
What are benefits of the star topology over the bus topology?
- if one computer breaks, the rest of the computers are not affected
- less traffic in the wires
- in bus you can get hold of other people’s information easier
What are benefits of the bus topology over the star topology?
- cheaper than star
- more convenient to set up as all the computers are connected to one cable
What is the ethernet protocol?
Ethernet is a link layer protocol in the TCP/IP stack that transmits data to other computers
What is the WiFi protocol?
the technology that allows devices to connect a wireless LAN (WLAN)
What is the purpose of the TCP / IP?
The TCP / IP protocol is two separate protocols - Transmissions Control Protocol and Internet Protocol. TCP defines how messages are broken up into packets and reassembled at the destination. IP identifies the location of a device on the internet and routes the individual packets from the source to the destination via routers
What is the UDP?
User Datagram Protocol (UDP) allows computer apps to send messages (datagrams) to other hosts on an IP network.
What is the HTTP?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is used for accessing web pages in the form of HTML
What is HTTPS?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure serves the same purpose as HTTP but encrypts the data so it cannot be accessed if hacked
What is FTP?
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard protocol for transferring files between a client and a server
What is SMTP?
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is a protocol for sending emails between servers. Most email systems use SMTP to send emails and either POP or IMAP to receive emails.
What is IMAP?
Internet Messaging Access Protocol (IMAP) is an email protocol that stores emails received on a server and allows the user to access them.
How is authentication a good security measure for networks?
Authentication is a good security measure because it checks to see that only people allowed to access a network are accessing it
What are two security methods?
- passwords
- User access levels (users can only access what they need to)
What is encryption?
Encryption is the process of encrypting messages before they send, with the receiving device having the key so if messages are intercepted they cannot be decrypted.
What are firewalls?
Firewalls are designed to prevent unwanted internet traffic from gaining access to a LAN. Unauthorised users are blocked by a firewall.
What are MAC addresses?
every device has a unique MAC address, making filtering for unwanted devices on a network easier
