133-networks Flashcards
Stand alone machine
single computer
not connected to anything
network
2 or more computers
connected with
cables/wireless signal
for data transmission + resource sharing
Network benefits
- allows devices to communicate/collaborate with each other, share peripherals/resources, and remote maintenance
- manage users
-access an intranet - access files from any networked computer
- provide access to other networks e.g internet
Networks disadvantages
- security risks -> vulnerability to malware (spreads easily between connected computers)
- slower data transfer if high network traffic
- server failure -> network downtime, connected computers stop working
- initial expense: hardware and cabling
Server
computer designed to serve info and services to clients on network
Types of servers examples
Web server: serves web pages, processes scripting languages
Mail server: stores accounts, manages sending and receiving emails.
File server: centralised store, controls user access
Web servers
- program
- host websites and deal with client requests.
- located via an IP address
- when a website is visited, a request is sent to the web server.
Web client
program
runs on a user’s device
sends requests for web pages
Once web server processes request, client displays result of it
LAN
-group of computers connected
- over a small geographical area like a single site
- internal infrastructure/hardware
e.g cables/radio waves to connect - home, small business, school networks
WAN
- group of connected computers over large geographical area
- external infrastructure/hardware (cables, telephone lines, satellites, or radio waves to connect). often owned by 3rd parties
- internet, international banking systems, and ATM machines
Internet
The internet is a global network of networks.
It allows computers on opposite sides of the globe to communicate with each other.
It is a giant mesh WAN (wide area network) made up of a series of smaller networks.
Continents are connected to each other using large international backbone cables, many of which pass underwater.
It is made up of interconnected networks, routers, cables, satellites, and other hardware spanning the world.
The World Wide Web is just a service on the internet.
Two types of network topology
All network topologies have both a physical aspect and a logical aspect
Physical topology refers to the physical layout of devices and cables in a network.
Logical topology refers to the way data is transmitted between devices on the network
Physical bus topology
All the terminals (devices) are connected to a backbone cable, the ends of which are plugged into a terminator.
Physical bus topology pros
● Relatively inexpensive to set up
● Doesn’t require any additional
hardware
Physical bus topology cons
● If backbone cable fails, the entire network gets disconnected
● As traffic increases, performance decreases
● All computers can see the data transmission
Physical star topology
A star topology uses a central switch or hub to connect devices in a network, with each device having its own cable connecting to the central node.
Physical star topology pros
Provides consistent performance even with heavy network traffic
Only one terminal is affected if a cable fails
Fast data transmission for better performance than bus topology
Easy to add new devices and manage from a central point
No data collisions, resulting in fewer errors
If a device fails, the rest of the network is unaffected
Physical star topology cons
Network fails if central switch fails
Can be expensive due to switch and cabling costs
Physical mesh topology
- every node is connected to every other node, and each node acts as a relay to pass on messages to their final destination.
Physical mesh topology pros
- No central connection point or switch, improving speed and reliability
- Nodes are automatically incorporated and can handle high traffic volumes
- No single point of failure, if a node in the route fails, the packet is sent a different way
- Adding more nodes does not hinder the process as all nodes help to transmit data
Physical mesh topology cons
- Expensive to set up, requires a large quantity of cables, and devices with wireless capability must be purchased if using a wireless network
- Difficult to manage and maintain
protocol
- a set of rules for data transmission and communication between devices
on a network (for network protocol) or within a system - ensure technology-based standards are established and adhered to
- Devices with different protocols cannot communicate, while devices with the same protocol can exchange information
- allows user to communicate, by ensuring all devices follow the same rules/standards/ so they interpret data signals in the same way
standard
- Standards are agreed-upon guidelines for hardware, software, or systems.
- They ensure consistent performance and collaboration across different components and systems.
- Various organizations create standards, including government bodies and industry associations.
- Standards enable communication and data exchange across different platforms and systems.
- They allow manufacturers to create compatible products and services.
- Standards ensure communication between devices and applications using protocols.
Concept of layers
- A divsion of network functionality
- Divides the complex task of networking into smaller, simpler tasks that work in tandem with each other.
- Each layer, with defined hardware and/or software, has a specific responsibility and provides a service to the layer above it.