Types of networks Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a network?

A

An interconnection of computers and other pieces of hardware to facilitate communication and the sharing of resources

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2
Q

What are the 3 types of networks?

A
  • PAN
  • LAN
  • WAN
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3
Q

What do the 3 types of network stand for?

A
  • Personal Area Network
  • Local Area Network
  • Wide Area Network
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4
Q

What is a PAN?

A

Consists of devices in close proximity to a single user, connected via Bluetooth

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5
Q

What is a LAN?

A

A network covering a single building or campus

A single organisation owns all hardware that belongs to a LAN

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6
Q

What is a WAN; what is the biggest example?

A

A network which connect 2 or more LANs that are in different geographical locations

The Internet

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7
Q

What are pros of wired networks?

A
  • More secure as a physical connection is needed so hacker would need to be in building
  • Less prone to interference
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8
Q

What are pros of wireless networks?

A
  • Much easier to add each device
  • No requirement to stay in the same place
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9
Q

Name type(s) of Wireless networks?

A

Radio Waves

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10
Q

Name type(s) of Wired networks?

A
  • Optical fibre
  • Copper cabling
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11
Q

What is optical fibre used for?

A

Very fast connections

Or

If lots of computers are going to share a single connection

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12
Q

What is copper cabling like?

A

Copper cabling is cheaper and slower (than optical fibre)

Quick enough for most activities that a single network would perform

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13
Q

What is a network topology?

A

The pattern in which the hardware on a network is positioned, including connections

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14
Q

What are common network topologies?

A
  • Bus
  • Star
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15
Q

Features of a star network topology?

A

Every device is connected to a switch at the centre of the network

All communication travels via this switch

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16
Q

Pros of star topology?

A

Very few data collisions, since each device had a dedicated line to the switch

Strong, centralised security

17
Q

Cons of a star topology?

A

Lots of cabling needed

If the switch has no spare ports, adding another device can be difficult

18
Q

Explain a bus network topology?

A

A central cable, called the backbone, running betweem 2 terminators connects all devices

19
Q

Pros of a bus topology?

A

Uses relatively little cable, making it quite inexpensive

Additional devices can be easily added

20
Q

Cons of a bus topology?

A

Collision can occur, as multiple transmissions will attempt to use the shared backbone

If a large number of devices are connected, network transmission can be slow (due to collisions)