NETWORKS

NETWORKS

1. Disadvantages of Networks

   • If something is lost on one computer, it will disappear from the entire network
   • It can spread viruses
   • More room for error
   • It is VERY difficult
   • It is expensive

2. Advantages of Networks

   • You can log into any computer with the same login
   • Your files are available on any of the computers connected to the Network
   • You can print, email and use the internet

3. WAN

   • Wide Area Network
   • A network that spans a large are or multiple organisations

4. LAN

   • Local Area Network
   • A network in a small area or single organisation

5. Bus Topology

   • Advantages
     • Cheap to install and only one wire needed
   • Disadvantages
     • High chance of catastrophic failure
     • High chance of collisions

6. Ring Topology

   • Advantages
     • Cheap to install
     • No collisions
   • Disadvantages
     • Difficult to add new computers
     • High chance of catastrophic failure

7. Star Topology

   • Advantages
     • Fast
     • Easy to add new computers
     • Low chance of catastrophic failure
   • Disadvantages
     • Expensive
     • Failure of the switch will take down the Network

8. IP Address

   • An IP Address is a unique value assigned to every computer on a network, used to identify it
   • Messages on a network have an IP Address attached, which is how a computer knows whether or not to keep the message
   • Each computer in the school has an internal IP Address which the internet can not see
   • The school's main router uses the school's one external IP Address when communicating outside of the school