Networks

Networks

1. Hardware

   • Hardware needed at least two computers which each have a network interface card theses cards convert the data signals from the nodes into data signals that can be transferred across the network
   • Data transfer media
     • wires
     • Wireless technology
   • Hubs a device that connects nodes together makes all connected nodes act as a single segment not intelligent data packets are transmitted across the whole of the network cheap devices USB hubs useful in home computer installations
   • Switch a device that connects nodes together an intelligent device that can create and connect to different segments of the network this reduces network traffic because data packets are sent to the nodes or segment where they are rather than being broadcast to the hole network.
   • If the LAN is to connect to the internet a router is needed

2. WAN

3. LAN

   • A school network
     • A local area network is a network which is over a small geographical location and usually has its own hardware and not reliant on any other third parties with the exception of the internet service provider
   • A connection of computers and devices
   • Each device on a network is known as a node
   • A LAN is confined to one site its relatively small
   • Allows digital communication between people
   • It enables sharing of digital information
   • It enables computers to be updated with the latest software from a central point
   • It enables an organisation to keep their data private from the outside world. They can control security, access to programmes, access to data, the availability to devices and services.
   • Office network
   • There requires a bit of expertise to install and maintain a large network which can be costly
   • There are a number of security issues from unauthorised access to data
   • There are also issues surrounding continuity of service 24/7
   • Requires backups such as full and incremental

4. Inter connected networks

5. Node

   • A device connected to a network

6. A computer network is two or more computers connetced together to share information and resources

   • Can involve physical or wireless connections or both

7. Types of network

8. Factors affecting the choice of network

   • User experience
     • Users will choose networks that are easy for them to use and access. devices that connect automatically to a data service is more preferable to a complicated log on process which requires complex passwords or keys to be entered. so for example smartphone users will automatically reconnect to a network they have previously been logged in to and there device remembers their credentials from a previous login and the authentication process is not required unless the user tells there to device to forget this network
   • Performance
     • Depending on the amount of data that needs to be downloaded frequent users will use an internet connection or 4G where as occasional users may find 3G sufficient .
   • Availability
     • Some areas have fibre optic cables which allows them to have much faster network connections but this is limited to some local area networks due to location and infrastructure
   • Connectivity
     • This is important because nowadays users want To synchronise their devices for reasons such as contact lists, files and photos and many devices automatically do this when they have a strong network connection to the internet a stable connection is vital for businesses and they will also need to consider suitably sized servers suitable for the performances of their digital devices and network traffic depending on their business needs.
   • compatibility
     • The choice of network will depend on its compatibility with its digital devices and any exchange of data needs to be in a format which each device understands