Networks

Networks

1. types of networks

   • lan-local area network:a network in a small area or single organisation
   • wan-wide area network:a network that spans a large area or multiple organisations

2. advantages

   • shares files,so the same files are available whichever computer you use
   • share resources;such as printer and internet connection
   • share logins,so the same username and password can be used on every computer on the network

3. disadvantages

   • cost:networks are expensive to set up
   • increased risk:problems such as viruses can affect every computer on the network
   • difficulty:expertise is needed to set up and maintain a network

4. topologies

   • bus
     • the network consists of a single cable that runs through the network
       • advantages;cheap to install
       • disadvantages;high chance of catastrophic failure, lots of collisions, slows down as more computers are added
   • ring
     • computers are connected to each other in a ring
       • advantages:cheap to install, no collisions (fast)
       • disadvantages:high chance of catastrophic failure, difficult to expand.
   • star
     • all computers are connected to a switch
       • advantages:low chance of failure, no collisions
       • disadvantages:expensive, depends on a switch

5. ip address

   • an ip address is a unique identifier given to something
   • an ip address is a unique address that identifies a device on the internet or a local network
   • an ip address is a string of numbers seperated by periods
   • there are 4,294,967,296 ip address's in the world

6. internet

   • mesh topology
     • they are multiple different routes between any two nodes.
   • big files are broken down into smaller packets and reassembled at destination
   • routes between nodes are chosen by seeing how much the cost adds up to and they choose the smaller one.