Network

Network

1. Types of Networks

   • LAN
     • Local Area Network
   • WAN
     • Wide Area Network

2. Topologies

   • Bus
     • Advantages
       • Cheap to install
     • Disadvantages
       • High chance of failure
       • lots of collisions
       • Slows down as more computers are added
   • Ring
     • Advantages
       • Cheap to install
       • No collisions
     • Disadvantages
       • High chance of failure
       • Difficult to add new computers
   • Star
     • Advantages
       • Fast
       • Easy to add new computers
       • Low chance of failure
     • Disadvantages
       • Expensive
       • Failure of switch will take down the network

3. Advantages

   • SHARE LOGINS: so the same username and password can be used on every computer in the network
   • SHARE FILES: so the same files are available, whichever computer you are
   • SHARE RESOURCES: such as printers and the internet

4. Disadvantage

   • Difficulty: Expertise is needed to set up and maintain a network
   • Increased Risk: Problems such as viruses can affect every computer on the network
   • Cost: Networks are expensive to set up

5. IP ADDRESSES

   • An IP is a unique value assigned to every computer on a network, used to identify it
   • what is it for?
     • to be able to send messages from one computer to another
   • How many are there currently?
     • 4,228,250,625
   • What does one look like?
     • 86.188.242.210

6. Internet

   • What kind of topology?
     • A mesh topology
   • How are large files sent?
     • Big Files: Broken down into small packets, packets reassembled at destination
   • How are routes between nodes chosen?
     • Shortest route