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Edexcel Computing > Networks > Flashcards

Networks Flashcards

1
Q

What is a network?

A

Anetworkis a group of devices connected together so they can communicate with each other and share resources.

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2
Q

How large is a network?

A

Networks can vary hugely in terms of size and complexity. Mobile hotspots and the internet are examples.

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3
Q

State benefits of a network.

A
  • Share data and information
  • Communicate using email, messaging, video conferencing
  • Work collaboratively using work-based software, virtual meeting tools, etc.
  • Share hardware e.g. printers
  • Use centralised support and maintenance
  • Socialise with one another
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4
Q

What is a standalone computer?

A

It “stands alone”, without connections to other computers or networks.

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5
Q

What are the benefits of a standalone computer?

A

They are not considered useful today, but can be used to store sensitive files as they can only be hacked manually, or to test the severity of ransomware/viruses.

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6
Q

What’s a WAN?

A

Networks that are connected over a large geographical area are known as Wide Area Networks (WANs).

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7
Q

An example of a WAN

A

The largest example of a WAN is the internet. Examples of WANs are online banking.

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8
Q

What organisation specific hardware does a WAN involve?

A
  • Organisations that run their own WANs will often lease bandwidth from telecommunications companies. They own this and have full control of the network.
  • Others cannot use its’ infrastructure, making it secure. However, the infrastructure can be expensive to install and maintain.
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9
Q

What’s a LAN?

A

Networks that span a smaller geographical area that are contained within a single site or building are known as Local Area Networks (LANs)

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10
Q

What does the “L” refer to in “LAN”?

A

‘Local’ doesn’t refer to a specific geographical area, such as neighbourhood, city, or region.

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11
Q

What organisation specific hardware does a LAN involve?

A

In larger organisations (schools, colleges) infrastructure (cabling and network communication devices) will be owned and maintained by the organisation.

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12
Q

How do addresses work on a LAN?

A
  • Each device on a network has a unique identifier, which is usually its IP address.
  • The first part of this address is thenetwork ID, which will be the same for all of the devices on the network.
  • Each device in a network needs a unique address so that connections can be made to it.
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13
Q

What is IPv4?

A

The fourth version of internet protocol IPv4 allows 4.3b addresses. It uses 32-bit encoding.

Ran out of addresses for the world

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14
Q

What is IPv6?

A

The sixth version of internet protocol

IPv6 allows for 340 * 10^38 addresses. It uses 128-bit encoding. They can therefore address a greater number of unique devices.

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15
Q

What is an internet protocol?

A

Protocols are sets of rules (agreed standards) that govern the communication within devices.

For two devices to communicate, they must use the same protocol.

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16
Q

What is bandwidth?

A

Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a connection. It is a measurement of capacity measured in bps (bits per second)

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17
Q

What is latency?

A

Latency is the time taken for a transmission to reach its destination. It is measured in milliseconds.

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18
Q

What is ping?

A

Ping measures latency by making a transmission and tracking the time it takes to move from the server and back again.

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19
Q

What are the bits per second conversions?

A

That

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20
Q

What are the bit conversions?

A

That 2

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21
Q

What is the equation to estimate transmission times?

A

That 3

22
Q

What is wireless transmission?

A

Microwaves and radio waves are frequently used to transmit data. This involves converting the binary data into an electromagnetic wave using a specific protocol.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are examples of the protocols that govern the conversion of data.

23
Q

What are some negatives concerning wireless transmission?

A
  • Generally the range of wireless transmission is limited to a few metres.
  • It is easily interrupted by other signals or physical obstacles.
  • It has much lower bandwidth than wired connections which makes transfer slow.
  • Security is a concern as wireless signals can be intercepted by others.
24
Q

What is a WLAN?

A
  • WLANs are Wireless Local Area Networks.
  • You probably have a WLAN at home.
  • If you use Wi-Fi to connect your devices, that’s a WLAN.
25
Q

What is a WAP?

A
  • In a WLAN, there will be a wireless access point (WAP) which sends and receives wireless transmissions to and from the other devices.
  • A WAP is usually part of a box you call the broadband router.
  • The router will be connected (usually wired) to an internet access point in order to connect the WLAN to the internet.
26
Q

Wired VS Wireless - Battle 1
Installation

A

WIRELESS WINS

+ Not every device needs a dedicated cable, cutting down cabling costs
- Cables still need to be installed in ceilings and floors to get from the WAP to a switch
- WAPS need to be purchased

WIRED LOSES

  • Wired may be more difficult as every device needs a dedicated cable
  • Bugs are more difficult to diganose as all cabling needs inpection
27
Q

Wired VS Wireless - Battle 2
Flexibility

A

BOTH SUCK

  • Wired cannot move beyond the area covered by the cable
  • Wireless cannot leave a 2m radius
28
Q

Wired VS Wireless - Battle 3
Range

A

WIRED WINS

+ Transmission over longer distances as copper media is more effective
- Wired may need repeaters or boosters greater than 100m as signal depreciates

WIRELESS LOSES

  • Quality easily lost through walls, floors, barriers between WAP and node
  • Repeaters and boosters required due to small range
29
Q

Wired VS Wireless - Battle 4
Bandwidth

A

WIRED WINS

+ Higher bandwidth as copper media has better signal transmission than air

WIRELESS LOSES

-

30
Q

Wired VS Wireless - Battle 5
Latency

A

WIRED WINS

+ Less susceptible to interference from outside network due to cables having layers of covering

WIRELESS LOSES

  • More susceptible to interference from outside networks as radio waves disperse over large distances, slowing data transfer
31
Q

What is topology?

A

The design/layout of a network

32
Q

Bus

A

A central node with stops coming off it

33
Q

Pros of bus topology

A

New devices can just be attached to the central node

34
Q

Cons of bus topology

A

Decreasing latency down the node
→ Everything stops off at each computer
Hacking poses a more serious threat
→ Each device has access to all traffic

35
Q

Star

A

A central switch with spokes coming off it

36
Q

Pros of star topology

A

Far more secure if there is an intrusion
→ Data only passes through the switch and the computer
→ Each PC only recieves its’ own traffic

Higher latency
→ Only one journey straight to each computer

37
Q

Cons of star topology

A

Limited amount of connections based on amount of ports in switch
If the switch fails, all PCs connected are stranded - Central point of failiure

38
Q

Full mesh

A

All nodes connected to each other

39
Q

Pros of full mesh

A

Fault tolerance

Reasonably secure
→ Traffic takes shortest route to get to its destination

40
Q

Cons of full mesh

A

High cabling costs

41
Q

Partial mesh

A

Some nodes connected

42
Q

Pros of partial mesh

A

Reasonably secure
→ Traffic takes shortest route to get to its destination

43
Q

Cons of partial mesh

A

Computers cannot talk to each other easily
→ Have to move through other computers reducing latency and bandwidth

44
Q

Where is bus topology used?

A

a small, cheap and often temporary network is needed that does not rely on very high data-transfer speeds. They may be used in locations such as a laboratory or office.

45
Q

Where is star topology used?

A

Home networks

46
Q

Where is a mesh topology used?

A

Home automation systems

47
Q

How is data transmitted on a fibre-optic cable?

A

A series of glass shards that allow light waves to move down them

48
Q

Define the World Wide Web

A

The service hosted on the internet to provide webpages

49
Q

Define the Internet

A

Physical devices that make up all networks connected across the world

50
Q

What do you need within a WAP to connect to the internet?

A

Switch
Modem
Router

51
Q

What is the internet backbone?

A

Fibre-optic cables that connect continents/countries under the sea with a high bandwidth

52
Q
A

Edexcel Computing (11 decks)

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