computer networking

computer networking

1. advantages

   • Share files, so the same files are available whichever computer you use
   • Share resources such as printers and Internet connection.
   • Share Logins, so the same username and password can be used on every computer on the network.

2. disadvantages

   • Cost: Networks are expensive to set up
   • Increased risk: problems such as viruses can affect every computer on the network
   • Difficulty: Expertise is needed to set up and maintain a network.

3. WAN

   • wide area network
     • A network that spans a large geographical area, or multiple organisations
     • Often consists of multiple LANs networked together

4. LAN

   • local area network
     • A network contained in a single geographical location or organisation

5. topologies

   • star
   • bus
     • advantages
       • Cheap to install (only one wire needed)
     • disadvantages
       • High chance of catastrophic failure (a break in the central cable takes out the entire network) High chance of collisions (multiple communications on the same cable that corrupt each other, slowing down the network) More computers mean more collisions, so the network gets slower as it gets bigger
     • The network consists of a single cable that runs through the network
     • All devices attach to this single cable
   • ring
     • 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, passes it on to the next computer
     • No central cable, each connection is between two computers
     • advantages

6. IP Adresses

   • internal IP
     • a device inside the building
   • external IP
     • a devise outside the building