Networking

Networking

1. Keywords

   • LAN
   • Star
   • Topology
   • Network
   • WAN
   • Bus
   • IP Address
     • Address: a unique identifier given to something.
     • When a computer is added to a network it is assigned an IP Address.
     • The IP Address is unique to each computer.
     • Unique addresses are assigned to businesses and houses, as there are too many devices for one address each.
   • Ring

2. Network: a group of computers together so they can communicate

   • Networks allow computers to:
     • Share files
     • Share resources
     • Share logins

3. Advantages of computers on a network

   • Easier to communicate
   • You can share communication services
   • Same username and password
   • User restrictions are easy to put on
   • Easy to upload/ install files to all computers

4. Disadvantages of computers on a network

   • Once you hack into one computer, you hack into all
   • Difficult to set-up
   • More room for error
   • Virus' can spread through the network

5. Types of network

   • WAN
     • Wide Area Network
     • A network that spans a large geographical area or multiple organisations
     • Often consists of multiple LANs networked together
   • LAN
     • Local Area Network
     • A network contained in a single geographical location or organisation

6. Topologies

   • Bus
     • The network consists of a single cable that runs through the network
     • Cheap to install
     • High chance of catastrophic failure
     • High chance of collisions
     • More computers mean more coillisions
   • Ring
     • Communication only goes in one direction
     • Each computer recieves a message, and if it is not the intended recipient, it passes it on to the next computer.
     • Cheap to install
     • No collisions
     • High chance of catastrophic failure
     • Difficult to add new computers
   • Star
     • All computers are connected to a central switch
     • The switch directs traffic to the appropriate computer.
     • Low chance of failure
     • No collisions
     • Depends on a switch