Home Networks

Home Networks

1. Wireless

   • Router
     • IP address
       • e.g. 192.168.1.20
       • Provides Wi-Fi
   • Advantages
     • Cheaper than wired
     • No cable needed
   • Disadvantages
     • Slower than wired
     • Less secure than wired
   • Security
     • Encription
       • WEP
       • WPA-PSK
       • WPA2

2. Wired

   • Advantages
     • Faster than wireless (More bandwidth)
     • More secure
   • Disadvantages
     • Expensive to set up
     • Need a cable to connect
     • Less mobility for connection
   • Use Ethernet cables

3. Connecting to the internet

   • Internet is a WAN-(Wide Area Nwtwork)
   • MODEM
     • A MODEM communicates between your network and ISP
       • ISP (Internet Service Provider)

4. Mobile Broadband

   • Advantages
     • Greater coverage than Wi-Fi
     • More secure
     • Can be accessed by other devices using USB

5. Mobile Data Speeds

   • GPRS
     • 50 kbps
       • A 2G battery friendly way so send emails or browse the internet. Always on data connection but slow transfer.
   • 2G
     • 150 kbps
       • Introduced better data services such a picture messaging faster web browsing and voice mail. Time delay to connect to data services, being phased out.
   • Edge (2.5G)
     • 400 kbps
       • Between 2G and 3G. Always on fast data connection.
   • 3G
     • 3 Mbps
       • First used to allow users to make video calls on the mobile network but is also a highly efficient way of browsing the internet
   • 4G
     • 100 Mbps
       • High speed with a wider coverage than Wi-Fi Is more expensive than 3G though.