Networks

Networks

1. Advantages

   • Share logins
     • You can login into the same account across various computers
   • Share resources
     • They could all use the same internet connection and printers
   • Share files
     • You can share files across computers in the network

2. Types of Network

   • WAN
     • Wide Area Network
     • A network in a larger area used across multiple organisations
   • LAN
     • A network in a small area or single organisation
     • Local Area Network

3. Disadvantages

   • Risk
     • If one computer gets a virus, it can easily spread to others in the network
   • Difficulty
     • It can be very hard to set up
   • Cost
     • Networks can be very expensive

4. Topologies

   • A topology is the arrangement of the computers and other elements in a network
   • Types of Topologies
     • Bus
       • All elements are connected to a single wire
     • Star
       • The more modern topology. All elements are connected to the same hub to allow communication.
     • Ring
       • A one way circle which has a wire between each computer/other element in the network

5. IP Addresses

   • An IP Addresses is the unique identification of a computer
   • Messages always have an IP address attached
   • Houses and businesses have their own small networks with an IP address
     • Every individual element on the smaller network still has it's own hidden IP address