Introduction to networks

Introduction to networks

1. Types of networks

   • LAN, is a local area network
     • its a network that is used over one area
   • WAN, is a wide area network
     • WAN is a network that is used over a wide area of land

2. disadvantages

   • expensive. wires
     • more room for error affects computers
       • difficult technical expertise
         • malware viruses

3. advantages

   • share files so the same files are available which ever computer you are on
   • Share resources such as printer and internet connection
   • Share logins so the same username and password can be used on every computer on the network

4. Topology

   • Network Topology is the arrangement of computers and other elements of a network
   • ring
     • advantages
       • Cheap to install (one cable per computer) . No collisions - only one computer is transmitting on each cable
     • disadvantages
       • Difficult to add new computers
       • High chance of catastrophic failure (if any cable breaks or any computer goes down, the entire network fails
   • 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
   • star

5. 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