Networks:

Networks:

1. LOCAL.AREA.NETWORK

   • A network contained in a single geographical location

2. WIDE.AREA.NETWORK

   • A network that spans large geographical areas/orginisations
     • usually consist of multiple L.A.N's networked together via wi-fi

3. topology:

   • bus:
     • advantages:
       • cheap
     • disadvantages:
       • HIGH chance of catastrophic failure
       • data collision
       • slow
   • ring:
     • advantages:
       • cheap
       • no data collisions
     • disadvantages:
       • slow
       • catastrophic failure
   • star:
     • advantages:
       • ALL computers connected to a central switch
       • the switch directs the traffic to the right computer
     • disadvantages:
       • private BUT expensive
       • send to all but its cheap

4. I.P address: the address of your computer on a network

   • messages on a network have an I.P address attached,which is how a computer knows weather of not to keep the message

5. network:a group of computers connected together to communicate

   • advantages:
     • share files
     • share resources
     • share logins
   • disadvantages:
     • cost VERY EXPENSIVE TO SET UP
     • WAY more risk of viruses and other problems which effect EVERY computer

6. internet:

   • a giant mesh of computers
   • there are multiple routes between any two nodes
   • IMPOSSIBLE to break the internet,since another route can ALWAYS be found
   • a cost is assigned to each connection in a mesh
   • route-finding algorithms are used to find the lowest cost routes between two nodes
   • data is split into small chunks called packets
   • each packet is sent along the lowest cost route
     • packets are re-assembled on the other side