ICT Topic 2

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Home networks

You need to sey up a LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)

-Connects all the computers so resources can be shared

Benefits:

  • Sharing internet connection
  • Sharing files
  • Sharing peripherals
  • Internet telephone setvices

Need a NETWORK INTERFACE CARD (NIC)

-Connect the computers, unless using Wi-Fi dongles

Connecting to the Internet from a home network requires a ROUTER

-Connects all of the computers by giving them an internal IP address ('knows' where to send the data)

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Types of network (1)

Cable connection to router

Advantages

  • Very fast (1Gb a second)
  • Good security
  • Should not experience interference

Disadvantages

  • Cables have to be run from router to all rooms in the house
  • Installation is expensive
  • Cannot connect to a room without a socket
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Types of network (2)

Wireless connection

Advantages

  • All you need is a wireless router
  • Cheaper
  • Access network from anywhere in the house

Disadvantages

  • Slower (54 Mbps per second)
  • Poor security, anyone can use it unless kept secure with password
  • Can experience interference
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Network security

Importance of security

If it is not secure, they will be able to use your Internet connection, at your cost. There are websites which publish the location of unsecured 'hot spots' people can get Internet access without paying.

Ways of securing wireless networks

  • Changing default admin password
  • Setting up form of encryption
  • Hiding the router by stopping the router broadcasting its SERVICE SET IDENTIFIER (SSID)
  • Turning off router when not in use
  • Reducing transmitter power
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Encryption

Scrambles data so that only computers with the right key can read it.

Commonest form of protection- WEP, but WPA-PSK and WPA2 are more secure, becoming more popular.

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Communications technologies in different devices

Mobile phone

  • GSM-4G
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth
  • Mini USB port

Laptop

  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth
  • Ethernet port
  • USB port
  • Firewire port
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Bandwidth and Latency

Bandwidth and Latency are two measurements to describe the performance of a network conection.

Bandwith-measurement of capacity

  • Number of bits that can go through the network connection in 1 second
  • Measured in bits per second (bps)

Latency-measurement of delay

  • Time in milliseconds between a bit leaving one device and arriving at the other
  • Measured in milliseconds (ms)
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Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi devices need to be within range of a wireless access point or 'hotspot'

Advantages

  • Good range
  • Speeds of up to 54Mbps
  • Widely available

Disadvantages

  • Hackers sometimes set up fake Wi-Fi hotspots putting users details at risk
  • Cannot use if not in range of an access point
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Mobile broadband

Mobile broadband allowas devices to connect to the Internet via the same network that 3G mobile phones uses

Advantages

  • Far greater coverage than Wi-Fi
  • More secure than Wi-Fi

Disadvantages

  • Have to pay for mobile broadband, including roaming charges
  • Downloads limited
  • Lower bandwidth than Wi-Fi
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Bluetooth

Advantages

  • Allows devices to communicate automatically when within range- no user involvement
  • Can connect up to 8 devices 
  • Low power- doesn't interfere with other devices
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Protocols

Email protocols

  • VoIP
  • POP3
  • IMAP
  • SMTP

Website protocols

  • HTTP
  • HTTPS
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Email protocols

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

A category of hardware and software that enables people to use the Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls

POP3 (Post Office Protocol)

Most recent version of standard protocol for receiving emails. It is a client/server protocol in which email is received and held for you by your internet server

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)

A standard email protocol that stores email messages on a mail server, allows end user to view/manipulate the messages

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

An internet protocol to transfer information used in sending and receiving email.

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Website protocols

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

An appliation protocol for webpages- foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web)

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)

Secure version of HTTP. When you use it any data you send or receive from the web server is encrypted.

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