LU4 - Local Area Networks Flashcards
(48 cards)
Local Area Network(LAN)
Networking capabilities of group of computers which are found near each other
- Nodes - PC’s
- Network Interface Cards (which network media connects)
- Connecting devices ( Switches, Repeaters, Bridges)
Bounded Connection Media
Network Transmission medium
Signals are confined to the medium and do not leave it
Twisted Pair Cable
Consists of 2 insulated strands of copper wire twisted around each other
Unshielded Twisted-Pair(UTP)
Widely used
Advantages:
Low cost
Easy to install, expand, troubleshoot
Disadvantages:
Length cannot exceed 100m
Copper cables are inherently weak
Eavesdropping
signals travelling copper cable can be intercepted
Attenuation
Signal loses strength over a distance
Crosstalk
Two cables next to each other, may interfere with each others signals
Electro-magnetic Interference (EMI)
Nearby signals from machinery may corrupt signals travelling in copper cables
Shielded twisted-pair (STP)
Cable wrapped in protective outer layer
Fibre Optic Cable
Carry digital dat signals in the form of pulses of light
Advantages:
Data can be transmitted at very high speed
Data can be transmitted over long distances
Disadvantages:
More expensive than copper cables
Need to be installed by expert
Wireless - Unbounded Connection Media
Allow the transfer of data over short and long distances
Useful for long range comms, that cannot be achieved by bounded media
- Radio Communications
- Microwave Communications
- Light, visible and infrared(IR) such as remote controls
- Electromagnetic induction provides short range communication and power
Near Field Communications(NFC)
Provides wireless connection between two devices within close proximity
- commonly used near payment stations
Radio Waves
Type of electromagnetic wave which is known for their use in communication technologies and dat transfer
- Higher frequency means shorter distance travelled
Point-to-point connection
Directly connects two nodes in a network
Broadcast
Is a communications channel that is shared by all the devices
Topology
The physical setup of a network, way it is connected
Star Topology
Cable connect to computer has its other end in a port on central switch
Advantages:
- Easy to setup and maintain
- A problem on one computer does not disturb the rest
- Adding/removing nodes does not affect network
-Most common
Disadvantages:
- A large amount of cabling needed
- Switch adds cost
- If switch fails, network fails
Bus Topology
All nodes are connected to a single cable, with terminator at each end to stop signal bouncing
Advantages:
- Requires less cabling than star(Reduces cost)
- No switch needed(less cost)
Disadvantages:
- Faults are difficult to trace since nodes use same cable
- A fault in main cable, can shut down entire network
- Can get Congested
Ring Topology
All nodes are connected in a closed loop, data follows around a loop
Advantage:
- Orderly network, each device can transmit
- Each node duplicates data signal, so very little signal degradation occurs
Disadvantages:
- Malfunctioning workstation can cause problem for entire network
- Moves, changes and additions can disrupt network
- slower that star topology
Hybrid Topology
A combination of two or more different network topologies
Advantages:
- Reliable as error detecting and troubleshooting is easy
- Effective as it can be suited in building layouts and equipment
- Scalable as size can be increased
- Flexible, can set to needs of organizations
Disadvantages:
- Complex in design
- Costly
Ethernet
Technology that connects nodes in a local Area Network, establishing communications with each other\
Ethernet Protocol(used to communicate between devices in LAN)
IP Address
Numerical label assigned to each device, so device can connect to internet
IPv4 (uses 32-bit binary’s to create unique address)
IPv6(Uses 128-bit binary’s to create unique address
(Ip Address Protocol used, to access internet)
MAC Address (Media Access Control)
Hardware identification number that uniquely identifies each device on the network
(EVERY computer needs MAC Address to be a part of Ethernet LAN)
MAC Addresses(use 48-bit serial number)
Internet Protocols
How data is transmitted between devices over networks