Networks - revision
- Created by: 13cgamble
- Created on: 15-03-18 21:40
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Advantages of networks
- Users can share files
- Users can share peripherals (e.g: printers, internet, etc)
- Users can access their files from any computer on the network
- Servers can control secruity, software updates and backup data
- Communication with other people (e.g: emails, etc)
Disadvantages of networks
- Increased secruity risks to data
- Malware and viruses spread very easily between computers
- If a server fails, the computers connected msy not work (depending on topology)
- The computer may run slower if there is a lot of data travelling on the network
Local Area Network (LAN)
- Covers a small geographic area located on a single site (e.g: workplace, school, home, etc)
- All the hardware for a LAN is owned by the organisation using it
- LANs are wired with UTP cable, fibre optic cable or wireless using wifi
Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Covers a large geographic area, connecting LANs together (e.g: the internet)
- Infrastructure between the LANs is leased from telecommunication companies who own and manage it
- WANs are connected with telephone lines, fibre optic cables or satellite links
Factors that affect network performance
Bandwith:
- The amount of data that can be sent and received successfully in a given time
- This is NOT a measure of how fast data travels, but how much data can be sent on the transmission media
- Measured in bits per second, often called the bit rate
Number of users:
- Too many users or devices on the same network can cause the network to slow down if there is insufficient bandwith for the data
Transmission media:
- Wired connections have a higher bandwith than wireless connections
- Fibre optic cables have a higher bandwith than copper cables
Error rate:
- Less reliable connections increase the number of errors that occur when data is transferred
- Data has to be resent until it arrives correctly
- The signal quality of wireless connections is dependent on the range of the device from the wireless access point and other enviromental factors
- The signal quality on copper cables is determined by the grade of material used which reduces interference. The length of the cable is also a factor
Latency:
- The delay from transmitting data to receiving it
- Latency is caused by bottlenecks in the infrastructure of the…
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