networks

networks

1. Local Area Network (LAN)

   • Advantages
     • you can share peripherals like expensive laser printer
     • a fileserver can be used to store and share documents and files centrally
     • electronic messages (email) can be sent between computers
     • the computers on the network can be centrally managed
   • Hardware needed
     • Ethernet cable
       • A wired connection to the router/switch
     • Router
       • Connects all of the devices together
   • Devices Connected over a small geographical area
   • Ways to connect to LAN
     • WIFI
       • Advantages
         • can be used for portable devices compared to ethernet because ethernet cable cant connect to portable devices
         • longer range compared to ethernet cable becuase the ethernet is a cable and wifi just flys through the air
       • Wireless connection
       • Disavantages
     • Ethernet
       • Wired connection
       • disadvantages
       • Advantages
   • disavantages

2. WPAN (wireless personal area network)

   • Advantages
   • pairing peripheral devices to a computer system over a short range
   • Ways to connect to a WPAN

3. WAN (Wide area network)

   • Advantages
   • A collection of networks are connected over a large geographical area (e.g. the internet)