Networks

Networks

1. Advantages

   • Some advantages of a network are: you can 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

   • A disadvantage of a network is: -Cost: networks are expensive to set up -Increased risk: problems such as viruses can effect every computer on the network, not just one. -Difficulty: expertise is required to set up and maintain the network.

3. Types of networks

   • LAN(Local Area Network)
     • Local Are Network (aka LAN) is a network in a small area or a single organization
   • WAN (Wide Are Network)
     • Wide Area Network (aka WAN) is a network spanning a large area or multiple organizations ( E.G the internet)

4. Topology

   • Bus Topology, this is a straight line connecting everything in the circuit The only advantage is, it is cheap to install. Some of the disadvantages are, Lots of collisions, high chance of catastrophic failure and it slows down as more computers are added.
   • Ring topology, this is a circle connecting everything. Some advantages are, it is cheap to install and removes collisions, as all signal travel in one direction. The disadvantage are There is a high chance of catastrophic failure And it's difficult to expand.
   • Star topology, is in a star shape with a hub in the centre. The advantages are- It's fast and low chance of a collision happening. And it's easy to add new connections. The disadvantages are -it's expensive and depends on a switch.

5. IP addresses

   • The largest possible IP address is 255 255 255 255 whereas the smallest possible IP address is 0000
   • There is a total of 4228250625 IP addresses in the world but the internet has more devices then possible to give a unique IP address each.

6. INTERNET

   • The internet is a mesh of computers and cannot be broken as even if one computer is destroyed all others can work because of the mesh topology
   • There are mulitple different routes between any two nodes
   • Tim Berners lea invented the internet
   • Data is split into small chunks (called packets) so that large pieces of data can be transferred easier.