Wired and wireless networks 1.4 Flashcards
LAN
Local Area Network: “Small geographic area. All the hardware for the LAN is owned by the organisation using it. Wired with UTP cable, fibre optic cable or wireless using routers and Wi-Fi access points.”
WAN
Wide Area Network: “Large geographic area. Infrastructure is hired from telecommunication companies who own and manage it. Connected with telephone lines, fibre optic cables or satellite links.”
Client-Server Network
“A client makes requests to the server for data and connections. A server controls access and security to one shared file store. A server manages access to the internet, shared printers and email services. A server runs a backup of data.”
Peer-to-Peer Network
“All computers are equal. Computers serve their own files to each other. Each computer is responsible for its own security and backup. Computers usually have their own printer.”
Stand-Alone Computer
“A single computing device not connected to any other on a network, either wired or wireless.”
WAP
Wireless Access Point: “A networking hardware device that allows a Wi-Fi device to connect to a wired network.”
Router / Switch
“In packet-switched networks such as the internet, a router is a device or, in some cases, software on a computer, that determines the best way for a packet to be forwarded to its destination.”
NIC
Network Interface Controller: “A computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.”
Transmission Media
“The physical media over which data is transmitted, e.g. twisted copper cable, fibre optic etc. ”
DNS
Domain Name System:
Hosting
“Websites stored on dedicated servers. Reasons include: Websites need to be available 24/7. Accessed by thousands of users at a time. Strong protection from hackers. They need an IP address that doesn’t change.”
The Cloud
“Remote servers that store data that can be accessed over the internet. Advantages: Access anytime, anywhere from any device. Automatic backup. Collaborate on files easily.”
Virtual Networks
“A logical software based network. Advantages: + Increased security, including more secure access to the network remotely. + The network can easily be expanded with less impact on the infrastructure and cost. + Log in to work from home.”
