Networks

Networks

1. Advantages

   • Your files are available on every computer you use
   • You can print, use the internet and and email
   • You can share information / data
   • You can communicate with others easily

2. Disadvantages

   • It's expensive
   • It requires a technical expert
   • If something goes wrong it can affect every computer
   • Viruses can spread through the network

3. Types of network

   • LAN
     • Local area network
     • Contained in a single geographical location
   • WAN
     • Wide area network
     • Often consists of multiple LAN networks put together
     • Spans a large geographical location, or multiple organisations

4. Topologies

   • Bus Topology
     • Advantage: Cheap to install
     • Disadvantages: High chance of catastrophic failure Lots of collisions Slows down as more computers are added
   • Ring Topology
     • Advantages: Cheap to install No collisions (fast)
     • Disadvantages: High chance of catastrophic failure Difficult to expand
   • Star Topology
     • Advantages: Low chance of failure No collisions (fast)
     • Disadvantages: Expensive Depends on a switch

5. IP address

   • A unique identifier
   • A unique value assigned to each computer on a network
   • They are assigned to buisnesses and houses
     • These run their own mini-network inside with different IP addresses

Images and files in the map