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computer science > 1.3 networks > Flashcards

1.3 networks Flashcards

(45 cards)

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1
Q

What is a LAN? List some advantages

A

Covers a small geographical area
All computers are physically located in one site (e.g., school)
Infrastructure is owned by the organization/individual

Advantages:
-you can share the same hardware (eg printers) on a LAN
-software updates can be installed all at once rather than one by one
-user accounts stored centrally (users can log in from any device on the network)

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2
Q

Hardware needed to connect a stand-alone computer to a LAN:

A

Router: Makes decisions on where to send data packets; connects different networks.
Switch: Sends data packets to the intended recipient (manages a single network).
WAP (Wireless Access Point): Converts wired data into wireless signals.
NIC (Network Interface Card): Provides full-time network connection.

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3
Q

What is a WAN?

A

A group of LANs linked together (e.g., the Internet).
Covers a large geographical area.
Connections are leased from telecom companies (e.g., BT).
Much more expensive to set up than a LAN

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4
Q

Compared wired vs. wireless connections

A

Bandwidth:
Wireless:Very high (up to 100 Gbps)
Wired: Lower (2–3 Gbps)

Installation:
Wired:Difficult
Wireless:Easier

Cost:
Wired:More expensive
Wireless:Cheaper

Security:
Wired:Good
Wireless:Vulnerable to interference

Mobility:
Wired:Limited
Wireless:High

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5
Q

What is a star topology?

A

All devices connect to a central hub/switch.
If one cable fails, only one device is affected.
Expensive (requires lots of cables).

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6
Q

What is a mesh topology?

A

Every device connects directly to others.
High redundancy (no single point of failure).

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7
Q

What is a client-server network

A

Clients: computers that connect/send requests to the server
Servers: high-end computers that provide services for the rest of the network - they process requests from the client and respond

Most uses of the internet work on a client-server relationship - e.g. websites are hosted on web servers

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8
Q

Advantages of client-server networks:

A

Centralized management/updates.
Data accessible by any client.
Client activity can be monitored.

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9
Q

Disadvantages of client-server networks:

A

Server failure disrupts all clients.
Expensive hardware.
Cyber attacks target the server.

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10
Q

What is a peer-to-peer network?

A

All computers are connected without hierarchy; data is stored on all computers, and each acts as both client and server.

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11
Q

Advantages of peer-to-peer networks:

A

Easy to set up.
Don’t require expensive hardware.
More robust—no single point of failure.

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12
Q

Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks:

A

Software & security updates must be done individually on each device.
No centralized backup, so each peer must be backed up separately.

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13
Q

Compare storage in client-server vs. peer-to-peer:

A

Client-Server: Central backing store available to all computers.
Peer-to-Peer: Storage facilities distributed across all computers.

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14
Q

Compare security in client-server vs. peer-to-peer

A

Client-Server: Controlled by the central computer.
Peer-to-Peer: Not centrally controlled.

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15
Q

Compare backup in client server vs peer-to-peer

A

Client-Server: Done centrally on the server.
Peer-to-Peer: Must be done separately for each computer.

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16
Q

Compare scalability in client server vs peer to peer

A

Client-Server: Supports hundreds/thousands of users; grows with an organization.
Peer-to-Peer: No central server; suited to homes/small businesses.

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17
Q

What is encryption and what is it used for?

A

The translation of data into ciphertext, so only the intended recipient with the correct key can understand it—used to keep data secure over networks.

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18
Q

Define plaintext

A

The original message.

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19
Q

Define decryption

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A

Decoding ciphertext back into plaintext using a key.

20
Q

TCP/IP

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A

Controls how data is split into packets, sent, and reassembled over the internet.

21
Q

HTTP

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A

Hyper text transfer protocol
Used by web browsers to access websites & communicate with web servers (not secure)

22
Q

HTTPS

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A

Used to access websites securely - encrypts all information sent and received

23
Q

FTP

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A

File transfer protocol
Used for accessing, editing, and transferring files over a network.

24
Q

POP3

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A

Post office protocol
Retrieves emails, holds emails on its server until they are downloaded, at which point they are deleted.

25
IMAP
Internet message access protocol Retrieves emails but leaves mail on the server until you delete it
26
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Used to send emails across networks & transfer emails between servers
27
Factors affecting network performance
Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be carried at a time (Mbps)—higher bandwidth = faster transfer. Number of devices: More devices = slower network (bandwidth is used up). Latency: Time delay between sending and receiving data. Errors/retransmission: Lost packets (from collisions) must be resent, slowing transmission. Interference: Other devices weaken WiFi signals, slowing speeds.
28
What is an IP address? What are the 2 formats
-A numeric public address that identifies each device on the internet (e.g., 161.201.13.22). -Receives data packets and directs them to their destinations Formats: -IPv4 (e.g., 192.168.1.1): -32 bit number -separated by periods -each ranging from 0-255 -IPv6 (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::): -128 bits -8 groups of 4 hexadecimal digits -separated by colons
29
What is a MAC address?
A unique identifier assigned to a network interface card (NIC) so devices can connect to the internet. -cannot be changed -48 or 64 bit binary numbers converted to hexadecimal
30
What is DNS?
Translates domain names (e.g., www.google.com) into IP addresses. A Domain Name Service is a collection of Domain Name Servers.
31
What is hosting?
When companies provide storage space and access to websites/services on their servers (e.g., website hosting, email hosting).
32
What is the cloud?
The use of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data (instead of locally).
33
What is a star topology?
All devices connect to a central hub/switch. If one cable fails, only one device is affected. Easier to troubleshoot but expensive (needs lots of cables).
34
What is a mesh topology?
Every device connects directly to others. High redundancy (no single point of failure).
35
Wired connection
Data travels through cables (e.g Ethernet)
36
Wireless networks
WiFi: connects devices using radio waves Bluetooth: short-range wireless connection (used for headphones)
37
What is a standard?
Agreed rules that let devices from different manufacturers work together (e.g., Wi-Fi standards).
38
What is the concept of layering?
Layers are a way of organising protocols in a network & each layer handles a different part of communication
39
Benefits of layers
Makes troubleshooting easier, allows specialisation, each layer can be developed separately
40
Advantages of star topologies
-it is easier to add a new node or device -fewer data collisions can occur -if a node/device fails it does not affect the rest of the network -a signal does not need to be transmitted to all computers in the network
41
Disadvantages of star topologies
-in wired networks, every device needs a cable to connect to the central switch/server - this get expensive -if there is problem with the switch/server, the whole network is affected
42
advantages of mesh topologies
-no single point where the network can fail -can be expensive - there is lots of wire needed (but now more mesh topologies use wireless technology, they are more practical)
43
What is a network protocol
A set of rules for how devices communicate and how data is transmitted across a network
44
Advantages of the cloud
-users can access saved files and applications from any connected device -easy to increase how much storage is available -no need for expensive hardware -the cloud provides security and backups -updated automatically
45
Disadvantages of the cloud
-need connection to the internet -data stored on the cloud can be vulnerable to hackers -subscription fees can get expensive depending on the amount of storage required -dependent on host for security and backups

computer science (6 decks)

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