Networks

Networks

1. Services

2. Topologies

   • A network is a collection of computers connected together so that they can communicate to each other.
     • LANs (Local Area Networks)
       • They are suitable for smaller areas such as single companies or organisations. Your school network is LAN.
     • WANs (Wide Area Networks)
       • Are available over very large areas in manny diffrent organisations. The World Wide Web is a WAN
   • LANs join together computers in different ways called network topologies.
     • All networked computers are conected together in a circle called a ring topology.
       • This is fast because, unlike with a bus network, all data travels one way down that cable.
       • The disadvantage is that if the one cable breaks, all the computers will not work.
     • Bus networks join all computers to one big cable called the backbone.
       • They are very cheap and easy to install, but if the backbone breaks, the whole network is unavailable.
       • This network topology is not suitable for large LANs because too manny computers can slow down the network
     • In a star network, all computers (or clients) are connected directly to one big computer called a sever using hubs or switches.
       • This is good because if one cable breaks, all of the other cables will still work.
       • It's fast because each computer has its own line to the sever.
       • The drawback is that it is expensive to buy the hardware like huns and switches.