Wire vs Wireless

Question 1

What is a NIC?

Answer 1

Network interface card

-> piece of hardware inside a device that allows it to connect to networks. (exist for wire and wireless)

Question 2

What are switches and routers?

Answer 2

SWITCHES-> used to connect devices on LAN

ROUTERS -> transmit data between different networks, and connect to internet

Question 3

What is the difference between what we call -routers- and actual routers?

Answer 3

-routers- include, a router, switch and WAP

Question 4

What is a Fibre Optic Cable?

Answer 4

• transmits data as light.
• high performance and expensive
• don’t suffer interference
• can transmit over very long distances at high bandwidths without loss of quality

Question 5

CAT 5e and CAT 6 (ethernet cables)

Answer 5

• contain pairs of copper wires twisted together (reduce internal interference)
• cheaper than fibre optic
• decent bandwidth
• commonly used in homes and offices (LAN)

Question 6

coaxial cables

Answer 6

• single copper wire surrounded by plastic for insulation and metal mesh for shielding against outside interference
• v v cheap cause low bandwidth

Question 7

What is the difference between WLAN and Wi-Fi?

Answer 7

Wi-Fi is a specific family of Wireless Local Area Network protocols

Question 8

What type of waves do wireless networks use?

Answer 8

radio waves

Question 9

What do you need to set up a wireless network

Answer 9

a WAP (wireless access point)
-> basically a switch that allows devices to connect

Question 10

What are the benefits of wireless networks? (3)

Answer 10

• convenient (automatically connect, and move around while connected)
• cheaper and better for environment
• easy to add more users to wireless

Question 11

Cons of wireless networks? (3)

Answer 11

• less secure than wired, access points visible everywhere including hackers
• distance from WAP, interference from other wireless networks & physical obstructions all reduce signal strength
• lower bandwidth and less reliable than wired