networks

networks

1. Advantages

   • hardware can be shared such as a printer can be used by computers on the same network
   • Softeware can be shared - a compurter program can be installed on one computer on a network bnut can run on any of thew computers in the network
   • Data can be shared - a database can be saved on one computer but can be accessed by eberyone on the network

2. Disadvantages

   • The cost of cabling and setting up may be high
   • Hackers may gain unauthorised access to files saved on a network
   • Computers on a network are liable to get attacks from viruses in files that are being sent between the computers

3. Types of network

   • Peer-To-Peer network
     • all computers are equal in status, no one computer is more improtant than the others
   • Client-Server network
     • one computer acts as a server and all the others act as clients that uswe the shared resources on that computer
   • Local area network
     • where all networkerd computers are in the same building or the same site
   • Wide area network
     • computers anywhere in the world can connect to a WAN - a good example is the internet

4. Network Topolagies

   • Bus network
     • the simplest type of network where each computer is connected to the compuiter either side of it
   • Star network
     • all computers in a star network are connected tyo a central hub which directs the flow of data or acts as a file server
   • Ring network
     • the computers in a ring netwrok are connected to each other in a loop