NETWORKS

NETWORKS

1. Advantages

   • Hardware, software and data can be shared
   • networked computers can communicate
   • Networked computers can be centrally controlled by a network manager
   • Files stored on a server allow for easier backup scheduals than if the files were stored on multiple computers

2. Disadvadvantages

   • Cost of setting up and cabling can be high
   • A virus can spread quickly
   • Hacker may gain unauthorise access to files saved on a network server
   • Networks can fail to work properly- causing loss of access to data, hardware and software

3. Types of server

   • File server
     • computer on a network that holds files can be used by other computers on the same network
   • Client-server
     • one computer acting as a file server
   • peer to peer
     • all computers are of equal improtance

4. Types of network

   • Bus network
     • Conneted in a chain to form a line of busses
     • Advantages
       • Cheap network to set up
       • If a computer fails the network continues to work
     • Disadvantages
       • Speed of data is slow
       • if the network cable breaks, non of the computers can access the network
   • star network
     • Computers connected to a common central computer
     • Advantages
       • If a cable or computer breaks the other computers are still able to access the network
       • Direct access to the file server means the access if fast
     • Disadvantages
       • Expensive to install
       • if the file server fails, all the computers are affected
   • Ring network
     • All computeres connected in a ring
     • Advantages
       • Cheap to set up
       • Data speed is continuous (no collisions)
     • Disadvantages
       • If any computers in the etwork break, it affects the whole network

5. other

   • Intranet
     • Providing similar services to the nternet but only available within one company
   • extranet
     • part of an intranet that can be accessed by authorised members of the public
   • world wide web
     • Collection of multimedia info or resources available on the internet

6. Components

   • Switch
     • Filters data packets and forwards them between segments of the network
   • Network interface card
     • computer hardware installed inside the computer or peripheral, that allows devices to connect to a wireed network
   • Gateway
     • Connects a LAN to a WAN
   • Router
     • A device that frowards data packets along a network. They determine the best path for forwarding the backets, by communicating with other routers
   • Bridge
     • Connects two similar networks e.g two LANs