Networks

Networks

1. LAN

   • Local Area Network
   • A LAN is a network that covers a small area and its locked only to certain people
   • The school network is an example of a LAN

2. WAN

   • Wide Area Network
   • A WAN is a network that covers a very large area (multiple countries) which is not restricted to certain people
   • The internet is an example of a WAN
   • Made up of multiple LAN's

3. Advantages

   • Transfer data such as files from multiple computers easily
   • Share devices such as printers so less money needs to be spent on them for multiple computers
   • Good privacy
   • Communicate between computers easily

4. Disadvantages

   • Depending on the type of network, costs for the equipment to make a network can be expensive depending on size because lots of cables will be needed
   • Lots of staff might be needed to run network, this can cost money for training or hiring
   • Entire network could be affected by a virus or hacker depending on antivirus software used

5. Network Topologies

   • Bus Network
     • All hardware is connected by a single cable (computers, printers,servers etc.)
     • Terminators are at each end of the wire to block signals
     • Cheap to create since not a lot of cable is needed as well as easy to install
     • Can break easily because all information goes down a single cable (could break so entire network goes down); more harware that's added could slow down the network
   • Ring Network
     • Each device is connected to another 2 devices in a ring shape
     • No terminators needed
     • Data transferred through the network is quicker than a bus network because they isn't any traffic, all data goes in a single direction
     • Entire network will go down if a single cable breaks because all devices need to be connected to eachover
   • Star Network
     • Each device is connected to a hub/switch by their own cable
     • No terminators needed
     • The most reliable network out of the 3; if a cable breaks, network won't go down because all devices are connected by their own cable. The network has a high performance (fast data transfer
     • Most expensive to install because lots of cables are needed plus extra hardware is needed; if the hub fails, the network will all fail as well