Define computer network
A computer network is defined as the interconnection of two or more computers/devices. It is done to enable the computers to communicate and share files, other hardware devices like printers, and share an Internet connection.
Advantages of a wireless home network (5)
Sharing of resources : a network allows users to share many hardware devices such as printers, modems (to get on to the Internet) etc
File sharing : Data can be easily shared between different users, or accessed remotely if it is being kept on other connected devices.
Communication : People on a network can communicate easily through the network and Internet.
Reduce costs : Sharing of resources also helps to reduce costs.
Flexibility : to move around the house within a certain distance.
Disadvantages of a wireless home network
Set up of a network maybe difficult for people who are unfamiliar with the set up
Security – over a wireless network is more vulnerable
Interference over a wireless network is greater than a wired network.
Capabilities of hardware may slow the network down
Limited to the amount of traffic or the amount of devices that can use the network at any one time
What is a PAN (definition, usage)
Personal area network is a personal, short distance area wireless network for interconnecting devices centred around an individual person’s workspace.
It is used for data transmission amongst devices such as computers, telephones, tablets.
Wireless networking and mobile computing devices such as PCs, PDAs, peripherals, cell phones and consumer electronics.
What is a LAN (definition, private/public, advantages)
LAN is a network which is designed to operate over a small physical area such as an office, factory or a group of buildings.
LAN’s are easy to design and troubleshoot
Exchange of information and sharing of resources becomes easy because of LAN.
In LAN all machines are connected to a single cable.
It is usually a privately owned network.
Advantages include high data transfer rates, low latency and easier administration due to the smaller coverage area
What is a WAN (advantages, wired, wireless or both)
A wide area network is a network that connects networks across cities or countries.
Advantages include it enables communication between widely separated locations, facilitating the sharing of resources and data on a global scale. It relies on a combination of wired and wireless technologies.
What is a stand-alone computer?
A “stand-alone computer” refers to a computer system that operates independently and is not connected to any network or other computing devices. It functions in isolation, meaning it does not share resources or data with other computers, and it does not rely on a network connection to perform its primary functions.
what is a router
- Connects two networks together.
- This device will connect your network to the Internet
- It allows the two networks to ‘talk’ to one another
what is a modem
- Short for Modulator - Demodulator.
- Connects to telephone line. Changes digital data into analogue and back to digital once it arrives at destination.
what is a firewall
- Firewalls can be either a physical device or software based.
- It is a security system that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules.
Only traffic that meets all security rules will be allowed in and out of the network
what is a switch
- The main function of a switch is to connect network devices together.
- A switch receives messages from one device and sends it to only the intended device.
The number of ports on a switch can vary, with businesses commonly using between 24 and 48 port switches.
what is a work station
Commonly used for personal computing tasks, such as web browsing, email, document creation, and multimedia consumption. They provide a user-friendly interface for individuals to interact with digital content and software applications
what is a server
- A computer or device on a network that manages network resources.
- Servers can be both physical and virtual. Bigger businesses will purchase servers with higher hardware capacity and can run multiple virtual servers on the one device.
- Generally, servers have one purpose each. For example, a print server to manage all the printing in a company, mail server to manage all emails and a file server to manage all of the documents within a company.
what is a wireless access point (WAP)
- Connects to a network through the switch and ethernet cable
- Allows wireless devices to connect to the network through WiFi
name 3 types of transmission media
twisted pair, coaxial cable, fibre optic cable
describe the twisted pair cable
advantages + disadvantages
a simple type of cabling made up of two copper wires twisted around each other (this helps to stop interference)
this is used in our school network (the blue cables seen at the back of the computers).
It has a data transfer rate of up to Gbps
It is cheaper than other forms of wired media
pros:
- Cheap
- Most common network cable
- Transmit both audio and other multimedia data.
cons:
- Affected by electromagnetic interference & noise
- Limited bandwidth
- Low data transmission rate
describe the coaxial cable
advantages + disadvantages
Has a central copper cable that transmits data
It is surrounded by a shield of copper braiding which protects the central cable for interference
Mainly found in factories and manufacturing plants where there is a lot of possible interference
Coaxial cable is more expensive than twisted pair.
pros:
- Supports high bandwidth
- Easy to install
- Less affected by noise
cons:
- Expensive for longer distances
- Needs to be grounded
- Have multiple layers - making it bulky
describe the fibre optic cable
advantages + disadvantages
is made up of fine strands of glass that carry pulses of light.
The pulses of light carry the data being transferred.
More secure than copper cabling as any break in this cable can be detected.
It does not suffer from interference
Can transmit data at very high speeds up to 100 tbps
Commonly used to connect buildings together in a LAN
It is very expensive
pros:
- Longer distances
- Thinner and lighter than copper wires
- The error rate is low.
cons:
- Costs a lot
- Installation is more - expensive
- More fragile
what does bandwidth refer to
the capacity at which a network can transmit data. a good wifi bandwith is at least 25 Mbps.
what is a type of ethernet port
RJ-45
describe two advantages of a dual band router
- They can transfer internet data at faster speeds than traditional adapters.
- They also operate on two different frequencies, which helps to reduce network congestion and interference, resulting in improved speed and performance.
what does a DNS stand for and what does it do
Domain Name System is one of the fundamental components of the internet that makes it user-friendly by converting your URL address into an Internet Protocol address (IP address) so that a router can then find that address using a routing table. Without DNS, we would have to enter IP addresses into our web browser address bar to get to a website.
what are two reasons someone would use a third-party DNS:
- Phishing protection
- Parental controls
what function does a third party DNS service provide and name one reason not to use it
A third-party DNS service can offer faster speeds and additional features, but one reason not to use it is potential privacy concerns.
