networks

networks

1. disadvantages

   • risky
     • lacks stability and has security issues
     • malware, viruses and other malicious software can spread through the network
     • increased risk as problems like viruses can affect every computer on the network.
     • likely to get hacked
     • susceptible to viruses
   • costs
     • networks are expensive to set up.
     • expensive hardware an wiring needed
     • it costs a lot to maintain a secure network
   • time consuming
     • if one computer is hacked, they can all be hacked. to solve this, each individual computer needs to be debugged separately.
     • it's difficult and requires technical expertise
     • expertise is needed to set up and maintain a network, which can take a long time.

2. advantages

   • reduced hardware/software costs
     • you only have to install it on one computer and it automatically goes onto all the other ones
     • this is cheaper and less time consuming
   • no storage problems
     • you have the unlimited storage
     • you have the same files stored on each computer
   • consistent user experience
     • you can log on to any computer in the same building using the same password and username
     • your files are available on every computer you use
     • you can print, use the internet, email and use the same software on any computer

3. types of networks

   • WAN
     • often consists of multiple LANs networked together.
     • Wide Area Network
     • a network that spans a large geographical area, or multiple organisations.
     • can be over different countries
   • LAN
     • Local Area Network
     • ... single geographical location or organisation
     • a network contained in a...

4. network topologies

   • bus
     • ADVANTAGES:
       • it's cheap to install
     • DISADVANTAGES:
       • high chance of catastrophic failure.
       • high chance of collisions
       • more computers mean more collisions, so thenetwork gets slower as it gets bigger.
     • the network consists of a single cable that runs through the network. all devices are attached ti this single cable.
   • ring
     • ADVANTAGES:
       • cheap to install.
       • no collisions - only one computer is transmitting on each cable
     • DISADVANTAGES:
       • high chance of catastrophic failure.
       • difficult to add new computers
     • computers are connected to each other in a ring. communication only goes in one direction.each computer receives a message, and if it is not the intended recipient, it passes it onto the next computer. there is no central cable, each connection is between 2 computers
   • star
     • ADVANTAGES:
       • fast
       • low chance of collisions
       • easy to add new computers
       • low chance of catastrophic failure
     • DISADVANTAGES:
       • expensive
       • failure of the switch could take down the entire network.
     • all computers are connected to a central switch.the switch directs the traffic to the appropriate computer
   • mesh
     • no central connection point. each computer/node is connected to 1 or more other computers/nodes.
     • ADVANTAGES
       • efficient and extremely reliable
     • DISADVANTAGES:
       • expensive
       • difficult and time consuming to set up

5. IP Address

   • an IP address is a unique value used to identify computers on a network
   • it's made up of 4 numbers between 0-255.
   • example: 12.245.33.156