Networks

Networks

1. Advantages

   • You can print, email and use the internet
   • Share logins
   • Consistent user experience
   • Files are available on all computers

2. Disadvantages

   • It is very expensive
   • There is more room for error
   • It is difficult to set up
   • Virusses can spread easily

3. Types of Networks

   • LAN
     • Local Area Network
     • A network in 1 geographical location/organisation
   • WAN
     • Wide Area Network
     • A network that spans over a large geographical area or multiple organisations
     • They can often by made up of many LAN networks

4. Topologies

   • Star
     • Disadvantages
       • Expensive
       • Depends on the switch
     • Advantages
       • Fast
       • Low chance of collisions
       • Low chance of catastrophic failure
   • Bus
     • Advantages
       • Cheap to install
     • Disadvantages
       • High chance of catastrophic failure
       • Lots of collisions
       • Slows down as computers are added
   • Ring
     • Disadvantages
       • High chance of catastrophic failure
       • It is hard to add more computers
     • Advantages
       • Cheap to install
       • No collisions

5. IP Adress

   • It is a unique value assigned to ever computer on a network
   • It is used to to identify computers and which network it is on