Networking

Networking

1. Local area network (LAN)

   • A LAN is a network than connects computers in a limited area such as school work or your own home.
   • There are two types of LAN
     • Peer to peer network - This is where two or computers are directly connected, allowing data and applications to be shared.
     • Client/Server network - This is where one computer in the network acts as the server.

2. Wide area network (WAN)

   • A wide area network (WAN) is a network that covers a broad area
     • This is a more complex network. Usually businesses opt for client/server

3. Ring network

   • A ring network is when all computers in a network are connected in a circle.

4. Bus network

   • A bus network has one main cable that all the other devices are connected to and there is a terminator at each end to stop signals bouncing back.

5. Wireless local area network (WLAN)

   • A LAN that connects wirelessly.

6. Star network

   • In a star network each device on the network has its own cable that connects to a switch or hub. A hub sends every packet of data to every device, whereas a switch only sends a packet of data to the destination device

7. Disaster recovery

   • If the system fails there needs to be a way to get the network up and running as quickly as possible.
   • If a hard drive fails, there is usually a backup which can take the strain. Networks can be backed up in a online cloud storage or a stored off-site or in a fire-proof safe so in the event of a disaster, the data is still intact