1.4: Wired and Wireless - YK Flashcards
What is a network?
A network is when two or more computers are connected together
What are some benefits of using a network?
Files, resources and peripherals (e.g. printers) can be shared, buying software for multiple computers can be cheaper (site license), users and security can be managed centrally
What is it called when a computer isn’t part of a network?
Standalone environment
What is the difference between a LAN and a WAN?
LAN covers a small geographical area, users own and maintain the network
What are the pros and cons of LANs and WANs?
LAN pros: quick + easy + cheap to set up, cheap to maintain, relatively fast
LAN cons: only covers small area, limited number of users/computers
WAN pros: any size, allows more computers, more detailed
WAN cons: more expensive to set up, needs ongoing maintenance, needs specialist equipment and expertise, slower
What are the main pieces of network hardware?
Wireless Access Point (WAP): connects a device to a LAN using WiFI
Router: connects two networks together (usually LAN to internet)
Switch: selects path for data to travel in a network so each device gets the data it needs
Network Interface Card (NIC): connects a device to a network using a wire
Transmission media: cabling used to connect devices to a network, includes Ethernet cables, coaxial cables, fibre optic cables
What are the main factors affecting network performance?
Wireless networks are affected by distance from a WAP, physical objects in the way, and interference from other devices. Wired networks are affected by ethernet signal degradation and the type of cable used. Both types of network are affected by network traffic (more users makes network slower), bandwidth (amount of data per second that can be transferred), and latency (how long it takes data to travel through the network)
What are client-server and peer-to-peer models?
A client-server network has one centralised computer (the server) doing most of the processing and storage of data, in peer-to-peer all computers are equally important and share processing and storage
What are the pros and cons of the client-server and peer-to-peer models?
Client-server
Pros: files stored centrally (easy to manage), backups + security controlled centrally (more secure), can have different levels of access to data
Cons: needs a specialist network operating system, often requires a network manager (costs money), server and other expensive equipment required
Peer-to-peer
Pros: doesn’t need special OS, easier to set up, if one computer fails network still works
Cons: files stored on individual computers (harder to find), everybody is responsible for security, no levels of access (less secure)
What is the internet?
A large WAN which connects networks around the world
What is a DNS?
A domain name system is the system which converts a web page’s name (URL) into the corresponding IP address
What is hosting?
The process of storing a web page on a server so that it can be accessed on the World Wide Web
What is the cloud?
Storage that can be accessed using the internet
What are virtual networks?
A small subset of a LAN or WAN where only specific computers can see each other, could be used so that normal users can’t see admin functions (and vice-versa) without changing network hardware
