Topic 1

Topic 1

1. Wi-Fi

   • Advantages
     • Allows inexpensive LANs to be set up without cables
     • Allows people the freedom of working anywhere with the signal still being able to be received
     • Can be accessed on a variety of devices such as mobile phones
     • No trailling cables leading to improved health and safety
   • Disadvantages
     • Power consumption high
     • Wi-Fi has a limited range
     • Transmission slower than cables
     • There may be health problems

2. Factors affecting choice of network

   • Cost
   • Existing Systems
     • Compatible?
   • Performance required
     • Speed
     • Compatible
     • Reliability
     • Ease of use

3. Topology

   • Map of the network
   • Ring
     • Advantages
       • Connection can't be hogged
       • No collision
       • Higher transmission speeds
     • Disadvantages
       • Difficult to locate faults
       • Break in the cable and the whole network fails
       • Can't run when nodes are added
   • Star
     • Advantages
       • Fault tolerant
       • Load tolerant
       • Easy to add extra computers
     • Disadvantages
       • Higher cost
       • Dependence on server

4. Peer-to-peer vs Client server

   • Peer-to-peer
     • Cheaper no server
     • Easy to set up
     • Backups aren't made centrally - places responsibility
   • Client server
     • Expensive due to server
     • Network operating systems require technical knowledge to set up
     • Backups of data and software are made centrally