1.3.1

1.3.1

1. Types of Network

   • WAN
     • A wide area network (WAN) is a network that is spread over a wide geographical area. It can cover more than one site, or be spread across a country, or even the world.
   • LAN
     • A LAN is a network that is geographically confined to one building or site. Examples include networks employed by small businesses, small organisations, schools, colleges, universities and in homes.

2. Client Server

   • Servers
     • A server is a computer that manages and stores files, or one that provides services to other computers on the network. They control the network and allow other computers to share and communicate
   • Clients
     • A client is a computer that relies on other computers (servers) to provide and manage data. The computer a person uses on a network is a client.

3. Peer to Peer

   • In a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, all computers have equal status - no computer has control over the network. There are no servers or clients. Instead, each computer is known as a peer. Peers store their own files, which can be accessed by other peers on the network. Therefore, a peer is both a client and a server.

4. Server Hardware

   • NIC
     • A network interface controller (NIC) provides a method of connecting to a network. A NIC offers an interface port for a wired connection. A wireless NIC provides a radio transceiver for connecting wirelessly
   • hubs
     • A hub is a small device that allows wired devices to connect to a network.
   • switches
     • Switches are similar to hubs, with one important difference - a switch records which computers are connected to which ports. When traffic is received, the switch forwards the traffic to its intended recipient only. This improves network performance by cutting down on unnecessary transmissions
   • Wireless access points
     • A wireless access point (WAP) uses a radio transceiver to allow wireless connections to a network. In effect, the WAP creates its own wireless network, which devices connect to. The WAP then sends wireless traffic it receives onto the main wired network. WAPs can also be used to extend the range of a wireless network. In this case the WAP can either receive and transmit traffic to other WAPs, or it can be connected via a cable to the main network.
   • Routers
     • Routers are one of the most commonly used connection devices. They are used to send data signals across the internet. Routers work by collecting knowledge of available routes to transmit data. They then determine the most suitable route for sending data.

5. Hosting

   • Hosting is the storing of files and data on a web server. The web server is referred to as a host.

6. DNS

   • Every website on the internet has a network address, consisting of four sets of three digits. For example, the BBC website's address is 151.101.128.81. Addresses like this are hard for users to remember. Instead, websites are accessed using domain names, for example, ‘bbc.co.uk’. Domain names are much easier for users to remember. When a user visits a website, they enter the domain name as a URL. For example, the BBC website’s address is www.bbc.co.uk. A domain name server takes the domain name and looks up its equivalent network address. The user’s request is then forwarded to the server that resides at that network address.

7. Cloud

   • The cloud is a generic term for remotely accessed storage. This storage is accessed through the internet. Users do not actually know where their data is stored - the geographical location is unimportant. Users only need to know that their data is stored on a server connected to the internet.

8. Factors affecting performance

   • the number of devices on the network the bandwidth of the transmission medium the type of network traffic network latency the number of transmission errors