What are the three distinct branches of the United States government?
- Legislative Branch
- Executive Branch
- Judicial Branch
Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities to check the powers of the others, ensuring a balance of power.
Define Personal Area Networks (PANs).
Limited to home use
PANs are typically used for connecting personal devices within a small area.
Define Local Area Networks (LANs).
Usually serve an organisation or business
LANs are used for connecting computers and devices within a limited geographical area.
Define Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).
Use multiple interconnected LANs to provide shared access to resources within a city or metro
MANs cover larger areas than LANs but smaller than WANs.
Define Wide Area Networks (WANs).
Connect multiple PANs, LANs, and MANs across a wide geographical area
The Internet is an example of a WAN.
What is an intranet?
An organisational network used for internal communication
Intranets facilitate communication and collaboration among employees.
What is an extranet?
Supports external communication with business partners, suppliers, and customers
Extranets extend the intranet to authorized external users.
What is a bus topology?
Based on a single ‘backbone’ to which devices are connected in series
Commonly uses coaxial cable.
What is a ring topology?
Network cable forms a closed circle connecting devices
Each device is connected to two others, forming a ring.
What is a star topology?
Devices are connected independently to a central server
An extended star topology links multiple star topologies.
What is a hierarchical topology?
Combines multiple star and bus topologies with at least three hierarchical levels
Uses twisted pair cables and optical fibre.
What is a mesh topology?
Each computer is connected to every other computer in the network
Often used to interconnect multiple LANs.
Define a host in networking.
A device with an IP address that requests or provides networking resources
Hosts can be computers, servers, or other devices.
Define a node in networking.
A device without an IP address that can generate, receive, and transmit networking resources
Nodes include devices like printers and switches.
What is a network interface?
A hardware component that allows communication across a network
Examples include network interface cards (NICs).
What are peripheral devices?
- Printers
- Scanners
- Other devices providing resources to clients
Peripheral devices connect to the network to share resources.
What is the function of hubs and switches?
Enable interconnection and communication between clients, servers, and peripheral devices
Hubs broadcast data, while switches direct data to specific devices.
What is the role of a router?
Directs data packets from a LAN to the Internet and vice versa
Routers manage traffic between different networks.
What is a firewall?
Monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic
Firewalls enforce security rules to protect the network.
What is a wireless access point?
Enables access to the wired network for mobile devices
Wireless access points extend the network’s reach.
What are the most common network transmission media?
- Twisted pair cable
- Coaxial cable
- Fibre optic cable
- Infrared and Bluetooth
- Radio waves
- Satellite transmission
Each type of media has specific use cases and characteristics.
What is a server?
A computer that provides resources, data, services, or applications to other computers over a network
Servers can serve multiple clients simultaneously.
What are the functions of file servers?
Store files and share them with authorised users
File servers centralize data storage for easy access.
What do print servers do?
Send files to specified printers and monitor the status of print jobs
Print servers manage printing tasks across the network.
