Networks

Networks

1. A network is two or more linked computers

   • Local Area Network (LAN)
   • Wide Area Network (WAN)
   • The internet is a WAN
   • A school network is usually a LAN

2. Positives

   • Hardware can be shared. For example a printer can be used by all computers.
   • Software can be shared. A software may be installed on one computer, but can be run by others.
   • Networked computers can communicate. Messages can be sent speedily.
   • Data can be shared.

3. Negatives

   • The cost of cabling and setting up can be high.
   • Computers on network are liable to attacks from viruses if files are being sent between the computers.
   • Hackers may gain unauthorised access to files.

4. The bus network

   • In a bus network all the workstations, servers and printers are joined to one cable (the bus). At each end of the cable a terminator is fitted to stop signals reflecting back down the bus.
   • it is easy to install
     • it is cheap to install, as it doesn't require much cable
   • if the main cable fails or gets damaged the whole network will fail.
   • as more workstations are connected the performance of the network will become slower because of data collisions
   • every workstation on the network "sees" all of the data on the network – this is a security risk

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