6.2 : Network Types

Question 1

What does LAN stand for ?

Answer 1

• local area networks

Question 2

what does LAN mean ?

Answer 2

• are usually in one building or geographically near each other.
  LANS will typically consist of a number of computers and devices ( such as printers ) , they will be connected to hubs or switches
• one of the hubs or switches will be connected to a router to allow the network to connect to external networks such as the Internet

Question 3

what are the advantages of LAN ?

Answer 3

• Shared resources such as hardware for ex.( printers , scanners ) or Software ( word processor and photo editing software)
• they permit easy communication between the networks users ( using simple messaging between computer on the network )
• they do have a network administrator which ensures privacy ( the administrator can maintain passwords and monitor data traffic within the network)

Question 4

what are the disadvantages of a LAN ?

Answer 4

• can spread viruses thorough the whole network
• higher security risk compared to stand-alone computers
• queues for shared resources can be frustrating
• if any error occurred in the main server in many types of network structures , the netwrok will stop functiong properly

Question 5

what does WLAN stands for ?

Answer 5

• wirless LANs

Question 6

how does WLAN work ?

Answer 6

• it is similar to LANs but there is no need for cables nor wires , they provide wireless communications over fairly short distances using radio or infra-red signals instead of cables
  they use a device known as AP ( Access Point ) which will be connected to the wired network structure at fixed locations , because of the short distances , commercial LANS ( campus or an airport ) , need several APs to permit continuous wireless communications
• APs will transmit and receive the data between the WLAN and the wired network
• end-users will be able to access the WLAN through a LAN adapter which is built inside their device

Question 7

Compare between LANS and WLANS ?

Answer 7

WLANS :

• networks will be easier to expand as there is no need to connect the devices with any cables
• this gives devices incerased mobiltiy as long as they are within the APs range
• there is no cables which is a safety improvement
• data could be interefered with from external sources
• data transmission rates are slower than with cabled networks although it is improving
• data can be blocked by thick walls
• data is less secure than with wired networks as it is easier to interfene with radio waves or microwaves than with cables that why it is essintial to use encryption

LANS :

• having wires creates a more reliable network and stable network , wireless connectivity is subject to interference
• it will reduce devices mobility as they should be in range for wires connection
• there will be mo deadspots and data transfer rates are faster
• setting up cabled network tends to be cheaper even though you have to buy and install cables
• having a lor of wires can lead to a number of hazards , such as tripping hazards , overheating of connections and disconnection of cables during routine office cleaning

Question 8

what does wi-fi and Bluetooth have in common ?

Answer 8

• they use electromagnetic radiation as the carrier data transmission

Question 9

what is Bluetooth technology ?

Answer 9

• Bluetooth sends and receives signals at a frequency of 2.45GHZ
• Bluetooth devices detect and connect to each other automatically , each pair does not interfere with other communicating devices as each pair uses a different channel.

Question 10

where is Bluetooth useful ?

Answer 10

• when sharing files between two devices that are very close to each other ( less than 30 meters )
• for low-bandwith devices ( for example sharing music files between mobile phones and headsets )
• when data transmission rates are not critical

Question 11

How do computers connect to a Bluetooth network ?

Answer 11

• you need a computer with a Bluetooth technology
• turn on Bluetooth using your device settings
• let your device scan for nearby devices
• when you find the one send request to (pair) join
• once paired , then you can share data between the two devices

Question 12

what is wi-fi technology ?

Answer 12

• wi-fi sends and receives radio signals at multiple frequencies 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• wi-fi offers faster data transmission rates better range and better security than Bluetooth , a wi-fi enabled devices can access for example the internet wirelessly at any AP or hot spot up to 100 meters

Question 13

how do computer connect to wi-fi ?

Answer 13

• computer or a device
• a wireless network interface card ( built in many modern devices )
• access to a wireless hotspot ( usually through a router )

Question 14

what is advantage of wi-fi ?

Answer 14

• reduced cost as there is no cabling
• safer as there is no triping hazards
• easier to connect other devices to the other devices
• makes the computer portable as long as it is within the access points range

Question 15

what are the advantages of Bluetooth ?

Answer 15

• connecting wireless devices such as a mouse , headset phone to a computer within close proximity
• tranferring files between two devices
• prinitng wirelessly from a tablet or a smartphone

Question 16

what is cloud storage ?

Answer 16

• cloud storage are when data is backed up on remote servers , there may be thousands of servers at many different locations , the same data is stored on may different servers incase of maintenance and repairs , allowing clients to access the data anytime this is known as data redundancy
• the environment of the server is controlled by the service provider

Question 17

what are the three types of cloud storage ?

Answer 17

• public cloud : where the clients / customers and the cloud storage provider are different companies
• private cloud : this a storage provided by a dedicated environment behind a companies firewall ,customer / client and the provider are integorated and operate as a single entity
• Hybrid cloud : which is a combination of the previous two clouds

Question 18

what are the advantages of cloud computing ?

Answer 18

• as long as there is an internet connection data can be accessed at any times any day anywhere
• no need to carry an external harddrive nor the computer itself to store / retrive information
• almost unlimited storage capacity but at a price
• if the hard drive or the backup has a faliure , it allow for the data to be retreived
• the cloud provides the user wih remote backup of data , with obvious advantages in the event of data loss / disaster recovery on their own computer .

Question 19

Disadvantages of cloud computing ?

Answer 19

• there is some security risks
• the provider company an have a faliure
• costs can be high
• if the customer has an unstable internet connections there may be some problems caused