NETWORKS

NETWORKS

1. Advantages of a network

   • files are on every computer
   • can log onto any computer
   • don't have to do everything individually
   • you can print, use the internet, email, etc.

2. Disadvantages of a network

   • malware is easily spread
   • everything will crash if only one does
   • more expensive
   • very difficult

3. LAN

   • local Area Network
     • a network in a small area or a single organisation

4. WAN

   • wide Area Network
     • a network that spans a large area or multiple organisations

5. Topologies

   • Bus topology
     • bus topolology is a network that consists of a single cable that runs through the network.
     • all devices connect to this cable
     • advantages
       • cheap to install because there is only one wire
     • disadvantages
       • high chance of catastrophic failure because a break in the central cable takes out the entire network
       • high chance of collisions which is multiple communications on the same cable that corrupt each other therefore, slowing down the network
       • more networks are more collisions so the bigger the network is, the slower it gets
   • Ring Topology
     • computers are connected in a ring
     • communication only goes 1 way
     • each computer receives a message, and if it is not the intended recipient, passes it onto another computer
     • no central cables, each connection is between two computers
     • advantages
       • cheap to install
       • no collisions - only one computer is transmitting on one cable
     • disadvantages
       • high chance of catastrophic failure (if one cable breaks or any of the computers go down, the entire network fails
       • difficult to add more computers
   • Star Topology
     • all computers are connected to a central switch
     • the switch directs the traffic to an appropriate computer
     • advantages
       • low chance of failure
       • no collisions (fast)
     • disadvantages
       • all depends on a switch
       • expensive
   • Mesh Topology
     • full mesh network topology & partial mesh network topology
     • each node is connected to at least one other node, usually more than one
     • advantages
       • messages can be received quickly
       • No collisions
       • more nodes can be added without interrupting the other nodesd
     • disadvantages
       • full mesh topologies are hard to set up
       • lots of maintenance required
       • some connections won't be necessary

6. IP Addresses

   • Messages on a network have an IP address attached which is how a computer knows whether or not to keep a message
   • An IP address is a unique value assigned to every computer on a network used to identify it