Networks

Networks

1. Disadvantages

   • networks are expensive to set up.
   • problems such as viruses can affect every computer on the network.
   • expertise is needed to set up and maintain a network.

2. Advantages

   • files can be accessed from all computers on the network.
   • the same username and password can be used on every computer on the network
   • resources such as printers and internet connection can be shared

3. Types of network

   • LAN (Local Area Network)
     • A network in a small area or single organisation.
   • WAN (Wide Area Network)
     • A network that spans a large area or multiple organisations.

4. Topologies

   • star
     • Advantages
       • Fast
       • Easy to add new computers
       • Low chance of castrophic faliure
     • Disadvantages
       • Expensive
       • Faliure of the switch will shut down all computers
   • Ring
     • Advantages
       • Cheap to install
       • No collisions
     • Disadvantages
       • High chance of castrophic faliure
       • Difficult to add new computers
   • Bus
     • Advantages
       • Cheap to install
     • Disadvantages
       • High chance of castrophic faliure
       • Lots of/high chance of collisions
       • As more computers are added the slower the network will get

5. IP adress

   • A unique value assigned to every computer on a network, used to identify it.

6. Internet

   • a giant mesh of computers
     • advantages
       • the internet can never be broken
     • Disadvantages
       • it needs a lot of outputs