Unit 1.3 Flashcards
What are standalone computers?
Computers that are not connected to any network
What is a node?
A computer connected to a network
What are the advantages for networking?
- Users can share files and peripherals
- You can access files from any computer on the network
- Servers can control security, software updates and data backup
- You can communicate with other people on the network through email
What is a LAN?
It is a network that…
covers a small geographical area located on a single site
all of the hardware for a LAN is owned by the organization using it
LANs are wired with UTP cable, fibre optic or wireless
What is a WAN?
It is a network that…
covers a huge geographical area, connecting LANs together
Infrastructure between the LANs is leased by telecommunication companies who own and manage it
WANs are connected with telephone lines, fibre optic or satellite links
Which piece of hardware connects computers in a LAN?
Switch
Which piece of hardware connects computers in a WAN?
Router
What are the disadvantages of networking?
- Increased security risks to data
- Malware and viruses spread easily between computers
- If a server fails, connected computers may fail as well
- The computer may run more slowly if there is a lot of traffic on the network
What is bandwidth?
The amount of data that can be sent and received successfully in a given time
Measured in bits/s
How does the number of users on a network affect the performance of that network?
Too many users on the same network can cause the network to slow down if there’s insufficient bandwidth for the data
How can the type of transmission media affect the performance of a network?
Wired connections have a higher bandwidth than wireless
Fibre optic cables have a higher bandwidth than copper
How can the error rate affect the performance of a network?
Less reliable connections increase the number of errors that occur when data is transferred, so the data has to be resent until correct
What affects the error rate?
For wireless connections, the signal quality is dependent on the distance between the devices and WAP and other environmental factors
For wired connections, the signal quality is dependent on the quality of material used that reduces interference as well as the length of the cable
What is latency?
Latency is the delay of receiving data after transmitting it
What is a server?
It is a special computer on a network that is dedicated to handling various services
What are the advantages of a client-server model?
- Easier to manage security files
- Easier to take backups of all shared data
- Easier to install software updates to all computers
What are the disadvantages of a client-server model?
- Can be expensive to set up and maintain
- Requires IT specialists to maintain
- The server is a single point of failure
What is a peer computer?
It is a computer on a network that is equal to all other peers
They usually have their own printers, are responsible for their own backup and serve their own files to each other
What are the advantages of a P2P network?
- Very easy to maintain and specialist maintenance is not required
- Cheaper to set up and no expensive hardware required
- There is no dependency on a single computer
What are the disadvantages of a P2P network?
- The network is less secure
- Users need to manage their own backups
- Difficult to maintain a well-ordered file store
What is an NIC?
Network Interface Card
Computers need this to connect to a network
They use a protocol to determine how the network should work
What is a WAP?
Wireless access point
Allows wireless enabled devices to connect to a wireless network
What is a switch?
Sends data between devices on a LAN
They segment the network by forwarding traffic to the correct location
What is an alternative to a switch?
A hub
It is slower and less secure as it forwards a copy of received data to all nodes
What is a router?
Sends data packets between WAPs
They take the IP address in the packet to determine the best route to transmit the data
Data is transferred from router to router across the internet
What are fibre optic cables?
They are very fast but more expensive and fragile
Data is quickly sent across a WAN as pulses of light
What are copper cables?
The wires are twisted together to reduce interference.
The grade of copper affect the quality of the cable
What is the Internet?
It is a network of computer networks