Networks - revision

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  • Created by: 13cgamble
  • Created on: 15-03-18 21:40

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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Neatherd

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One of the best cs revision on this site.