Networks

Networks

1. Advantages

   • You can log on to different computers within the school using the same username and passwords
   • You can use the internet, print, email and use the same software on any computer
   • All of your files are available on every computer you use, even if you created them on another computer

2. Disadvantages

   • Expensive - extra hardware and writing is needed
   • There is more room for error - if something goes wrong it can affect every computer
   • It is difficult - it would require a technical expertise

3. Different Networks

   • LAN
     • Local Area Network
     • A network contained in a single geographical location or orgainisation
   • WAN
     • Wide Area Network
     • A network than spans a large geographical area or multiple organisations
     • Often consists of multiple LAN networks together

4. Topologies

   • Bus Topology
     • Advantages:
       • Cheap To instaall
     • 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 addresses

   • An IP address is a unique value assigned to every computer on a network, used to identify it