Connectivity

Connectivity

1. LAN (Local area network)

   • Shared internet connection on all devices
   • sharing files including backing up files
   • sharing peripherals (printers)

2. Types of connections

   • Cable
     • Cables get in the way
     • Installation is expensive
     • No interference
     • Users directly connected to the network
   • Wireless
     • All needed is a router
     • Cheaper
     • Slower
     • Can be affected by walls
     • Connect to from any room (as long as in range)

3. Network Security

   • Wireless networks are not as secured as cabled ones
   • An unsecure network means anyone within range can access it
   • People should change the default admin password
   • People can set up encryption
     • Encryption scrambles the data so that only computers with the right key can read it

4. Bandwidth

   • Bandwdth is the number of bits that can go through the network in one second (bps/bits per second)
   • Streaming- high bandwidth or the the video buffers

5. Latency

   • Time in milliseconds between a bit leaving one device and arriving at another. Milliseconds (ms).
   • To get quick search results from Google you need low latency so information arrives quickly.

6. Mobile broadband

   • 3G and 4G have greater coverage than wifi
   • 3G is more secure as the data is encrypted
   • 3G costs more and downloads are limited

7. Communication protocols

   • VoIP (Voice over internet protocol)
     • A set of rules for transmitting audio messages over the internet . these help people make free voice calls.
   • Email
     • POP3
       • Email is deleted off the server and saved offline
     • IMAP
       • All emails are kept on a server
     • SMTP
       • Protocol used when sending emails
   • HTTP
     • Protocol for the world wide web.