Networks

Networks

1. Types of network

   • WAN
     • Spans across a wide area and multiple organisations
     • Wide Area Network
   • LAN
     • Local Area Network
     • Does not span over a large area and is normally with one organisation

2. Advantages

   • Share files
   • Share logins and resources easily
   • All have access to internet and printing

3. Disadvantages

   • Costs alot of money and can fail
   • Need good expertise
   • If one computer gets a virus it can spread easily

4. Topologies

   • Bus topology
     • Large risk of failure and lots of collisions
     • Very cheap but slower the more computers you add on
     • Less common nowadays and not very good
     • Only connected by 1 cable
   • Star topology
     • It is expensive but very fast
     • More common nowadays. All computers are connected by a hub
     • It directs the connections to the right computer or printer
   • Ring topology
     • No collisions. Also the communication goes one way
     • Connected by ring (wireless). Each connection goes between two computers and its very cheap to install
     • Still has high chance of failure
   • IP Address
     • Ip address is a 32 bit binary
     • Each organisation has a unique IP Address and there are two types of ip address
     • Ip addres is attached to every message