Unit 2 Chapter 4 Networks

Question 1

What is a computer network?

Answer 1

Linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data, software and peripherals & communication

Question 2

LAN

Answer 2

Local Area Network - Network over a small geographical area

Question 3

WAN

Answer 3

Wide Area Network - Network over a large geographical area

Question 4

MAN

Answer 4

Metropolitan Area Network - covers an area like a town or city

Question 5

Advantages of Networks

Answer 5

Sharing devices such as printers saves money.
Site (software) licences are likely to be cheaper than buying several standalone licences.
Files can easily be shared between users.
Network users can communicate by email and instant messenger.
Security is good - users cannot see other users’ files unlike on stand-alone machines.
Data is easy to backup as all the data is stored on the server.

Question 6

Disadvantages of Networks

Answer 6

Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive.
Managing a large network is complicated, requires training and a network manager usually needs to be employed.
If the file server breaks down the files on the file server become inaccessible. The computers can still be used but are isolated.
Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer network.
There is a danger of hacking. Security procedures are needed to prevent such abuse, eg a firewall.

Question 7

Intranet

Answer 7

Can only be accessed by certain people in certain locations - an internal network.
Used for: sharing / publishing information and files communication (internal email)

Question 8

Extranet

Answer 8

Part of an organisations network that can be made available to outside users.
Gives limited access to resources and information
Security of an extranet needs careful consideration so access is correctly restricted to certain areas of the network

Question 9

What is a network topology?

Answer 9

The conceptual layout of a network

Question 10

2 common topology set up

Answer 10

Client to server networks

Peer to peer networks

Question 11

Common topologies

Answer 11

Bus, Star and Ring

Question 12

Wired Connections

Answer 12

Wired connections use cables to connect computers to the network. The most common type of connection is a Cat-5, also known as twisted pair. It is known as twisted pair as it contains 4 pairs of wires all twisted together in pairs. Twisting the wires reduces electric interference and increases reliability.

Question 13

What is a NIC

Answer 13

Network Interface Card

Question 14

What is the use of a NIC?

Answer 14

Used to connect a computer to a network using a cat-5 cable. The interface card may be built into the motherboard.

Question 15

Hub

Answer 15

A hub is a device which allows several computers to be connected together. The number of computers it can support is based on the number of connections, or ports, it has.

Question 16

What does wireless mean?

Answer 16

Wireless means you can connect to a network without the need for cat-5 cable. Wireless connections on computers tend to be referred to by their standard.

Question 17

What is a wireless access point (WAP)

Answer 17

wireless access point (WAP) is a central point to send and accept wireless transmissions from wirelessly enabled devices. A WAP could be connected to a wired network.