BTEC L3 ICT Unit 1 - Connection Types and Network Revision Cards

• USB is a connector that is very commonly used with peripheral devices. It has fast transfer speeds, can connect multiple devices, provides power and is very compatible with computers. However, it does have a relatively short range.
• SATA is a connector that is most commonly used with internal storage devices but can work with external ones. It is very fast and very compatible with computer systems. However, it has a short range and doesn’t supply power.
• VGA is a connector that is used with display devices. It is compatible with older devices and has built-in locking mechanisms. However the signal can degrade easily, it cannot achieve a very high resolution and doesn’t include an audio signal.
• HDMI is another connector that is used with display devices. It is capable of excellent resolutions and transmits an audio signal too. However, it doesn’t have a locking mechanism.
• Ethernet cable is used to transmit data between IT systems, often in a local area network. It is very reliable, has a good range and is very compatible with computers. It does offer limited mobility, is often not compatible with mobile devices and cannot transmit data over very long distances.
• Fibre optic cable is a method of transmitting data between IT systems that is commonly seen used as part of the telephone network. It has excellent transfer speeds & range and also is very secure. However, it is very expensive.

• Infrared is a wireless connection that is commonly used with remote controls. It was also commonly used with peripheral devices like wireless mice & keyboard, but not as much anymore. It has a low susceptibility to interference. However, it is short ranged, requires line of sight and is slow.
• Bluetooth is a wireless connection that is commonly used with peripheral devices like wireless mice & keyboards. It’s also used to transfer data between two IT systems and to share a mobile broadband connection. It is easy to connect, has a low susceptibility to interference and has a low power consumption. However, it is also relatively slow and not very secure.
• WiFi is a wireless connection that is used to access the internet, create a wireless LAN and to connect to some peripherals such as printers. It is relatively fast and long ranged and has a low installation cost. However, it can be complex to set up and insecure.
• Mobile broadband is a mobile connection that is used with mobile devices to access the internet on the go. It is widely available wherever you are and is very easy to connect to. However, it is expensive and is quite a bit slower than WiFi connections.

A Personal Area Network (PAN) is a network within the range of a single person.It is commonly created wirelessly using Bluetooth or wired using USB.
It is used to connect digital devices together, such as to sync files/emails/calendars between devices or transmit data with wearable devices like a headset.
It can reduce cabling, automatically sync data between devices & is secure for transferring data.
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that spans a relatively small geographical area, usually a single building or site.It is commonly created using ethernet cables, or WiFi for a wireless LAN.
It is used to allow computers to share resources, such as an internet connection, a printer or access to files.
It lets you share peripherals, access files flexibly and centrally manage computers.
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that spans a large geographical area, such as an entire country or the whole world.It is commonly created using dedicated network lines rented from a telecommunications provider, but can also run over the public internet using a VPN.
It is used to transmit data securely between different locations in a business, such as confidential documents or emails.
It is secure, files can be accessed from across different business offices and is often very fast.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a private network that runs across a public network, namely, the internet.
It is commonly created using an encrypted tunnel through the internet.
It is used to transmit data securely between different locations without the cost of a dedicated private WAN.
It allows you to access work files remotely,  is cheaper than a WAN and is secure.

• There are ten major factors to consider when choosing digital technology:User experience is about the feeling a person gets when making use of the network. Notable factors here include ease of use, performance, availability & accessibility.
• User needs are about what actual tasks the user wants to perform using the network.
• The specification is the specific requirements of the network in order to allow users to perform their tasks.
• Connectivity is about how the network can be connected to by devices.
• Cost is how much purchasing and running the network will cost you or your business.
• Efficiency is about how effectively tasks can be completed when using a network with as little wastage of resources.
• Compatibility is about whether the network can communicate with the devices you are using with it.
• Implementation is about the time involved with putting a new network into effect. Notable factors here include timescales, testing & downtime.
• Productivity is about how quickly tasks can be completed when making use of the network.
• Security is about how safe the network is from security threats, such as hackers.
• The performance of a network is heavily affected by its components. For example, home networking equipment cannot provide the performance of professional equipment.