NETWORK

NETWORK

1. Network Services

   • Internet
     • The internet is a WAN which is made up of many other smaller networks
   • Extranet
     • An extranet is an EXTERNAL network which can be viewed by many different people ata an organisation such as employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders.
   • Intranet
     • This INTERNAL network is pricate to one organisation, viewable to employees only.
   • Routers
     • These are used to allow different networks to communicate. They can connect a network in a home to a wider network such as part of a network.
   • Switches
     • Switches are used to connect different computers together as part of a network.
   • Gateways
     • These allow two different networks to speak to one another by TRANSLATING data.
   • Bridges
     • These are used to join- or bridge- two LANs together to form one larger network.
   • Packet Switching
     • Switches can speed up networks by only sending PACKETS OF DATA to the computers which need data. this means that less data is travelling unnecessarily around the entire network.

2. Advantages

   • -Data can be SHARED making it eaiser to work together
   • -Computers can SHARE HARDWARE like printers- no need to buy more than one so its cheaper.
   • It is quicker to UPDATE SOFTWARE-it is stored in one place on a server.

3. Disadvantages

   • -VIRUSES can be easily spread through networks
   • - If data and software is all in one place, all computers will not work if the network experiences problems.
   • -Network require REGULAR MAINTENANCE-this is expensive.