Types of Network

Question 1

What is a computer network?

Answer 1

Is two or more computing devices connected together in order to share resources

Question 2

Give some examples of network enabled devices

Answer 2

Network servers
Personal computers
Tablets
Smart phones
Smart televisions
Printers

Question 3

What are the 2 types of network?

Answer 3

LAN (Local Area Network)

WAN (Wide Area Network)

Question 4

What is a LAN?

Answer 4

Is two or more network-enabled devices connected within a fairly close geographical area

Question 5

Give some examples of where a LAN could be situated

Answer 5

Within a single building

such as a home or office

Question 6

Why is a Wireless Access Point connected to the network?

Answer 6

So that Wi-Fi devices such as laptops can connect to the network

Question 7

Give 6 advantages of a LAN network

• Logging in
• File sharing
• Backups
• Installing software
• Anti-virus and malware checks
• Data transmission

Answer 7

Any user can log on from any workstation and still access all of their files
Resources and files can be shared by users
Backups of files and documents can be done centrally rather than needing to do it from each machine
When software needs to be installed it can be done centrally rather than having to go to each individual workstation
An anti-virus and malware check can be carried out from the server to all workstations
Data can be transmitted very quickly between networked computers

Question 8

Give 6 disadvantages of LANs

Answer 8

Network Failure
Cost
Viruses and Malware
Slow Service
Security
Expert support required

Question 9

What 5 ways can the security of a LAN network be improved?

Answer 9

Passwords
Access Rights
Backups
Encryption
Installing Software

Question 10

What is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?

Answer 10

It connects two or more local area networks (LAN) that are in different geographical locations

Question 11

How can a WAN connect to different countries?

Answer 11

By use of:
Fibre optic lines, including laying undersea cables
Satellite communication links
Leased telephone lines
Microwave links

Question 12

Give 3 advantages for WANs

Answer 12

Allows LANs to connect to one another
Allows workers to collaborate over a wide area, even across continents
Allows files and data to be shared between LANs

Question 13

Give 2 disadvantages for WANs

Answer 13

Can be expensive to hire a WAN service from the telecom operator.
With a LAN, a company often has its own experts to maintain the network so any problems which arise can be addressed quickly