what is networking?
- a group of devices that are interconnected for the purpose of exchanging data and sharing resources
advantages of networks?
- resource sharing
- accessing remote services
- facilitating communications
- sharing data
resource sharing?
- resources are too expensive to be connected to every computer
- if connected to network, resources can be accessed by users when needed, more efficient, saves money
remote services?
the ability of users to access a device or network from any location
facilitating communications?
allows people to communicate easily through the use of internet
data sharing?
networks allow data to be shared between users and enables users to retrieve information from more than one source
networking operating system definition and key functions?
NOS manages:
- network resources
- facilitates communication between devices
key functions:
- controls network traffic
- defines communication protocols between devices
- manages shared resources
- handles user authentication and access control
what is a router, modem, switch and access point? in general
router - manages everything connected to network
modem - used to connect to the internet
switch - connects wired devices to router
access point - connects wireless devices
what is LAN and WAN, and their main difference
LAN (local area network) a collection of devices connected together in one physical location
WAN (wide area network) network extended over a large geographical area
- main dif = geographical location
what is UTP? when to use?
unshielded twisted pair - cable of 8 wires twisted in four seperate pairs
- used for telephones
what is STP? when to use?
shielded twisted pair - same as utp by with shielding around the wire pairs to protect against electromagnetic interface
- used for ethernet
what is cellular? when to use?
- a radio network distributed over land areas called cells
- used for mobile phones
what is microwave? when to use?
- wireless transmission requiring line of sight between sending and receiving dishes
- used for mobile phones, tv
what is fibre optic cable? when to use?
- cable that uses special glass to transmit light pulses for data transmission
- used for transfering large amounts of data
what is bluetooth and infrared? when to use?
bluetooth - standard short range radio wave transmission
- used connecting wireless devices
infrared - a short range wireless transmission using light waves
- used for wireless devices, tv
what is satellite? when to use?
- radio waves to communicate between earth stations
- used for tv broadcast, internet, GPS
what is data rate?
the speed at which data is transferred, typically measured in bits per second
what is topology of a network?
the layout, the strategy used to connect devices together
what is peer to peer local networks?
-all devices connected to each other
- shares resources and data with everyone
what is client server network?
- 1 central computer called server
- server provides all resources and controls everything
what is the bus topology?
- uses a central cable to which all network devices connect
- all data is transmitted down the line from one device to another
what is the ring topology?
- each node connects to two other nodes, forming a continuous pathway for signals
what is the mesh topology?
- -uses a number of different connections between devices (star, ring)
what is the star topology?
- switch central point
- server serves client requests and resources
