J277 Networks Recap 1

J277 Networks Recap

Part 1

Fill in the Blanks

A network is defined as two or more computers that are connected together in order to share...

Three types of network...

• LAN

• WAN

• PAN (you don't strictly need to know this but it's still good to know!)

LAN

• Stands for Local Area Network

• A network that exists across one site/a small area

• Uses the owner's own equipment

Open Ended

Can you give me an example of a LAN?

WAN

• Stands for Wide Area Network

• A network that spans a large area or multiple sites

• Uses equipment leased from a larger company (e.g. BT)

The deep sea cable situation in 1922 (credit: PK Porthcurno)

PAN

• Stands for Personal Area Network

• Devices communicating in one person's individual space

• Bluetooth, USB, infra-red

Multiple Choice

Connecting a keyboard to a computer via USB or Bluetooth.

• PAN

• LAN

• WAN

Multiple Choice

GPS.

• PAN

• LAN

• WAN

Multiple Choice

The school network.

• PAN

• LAN

• WAN

Multiple Choice

My iPhone connecting to my Apple Watch.

(Other phone/watch makes are available)

• PAN

• LAN

• WAN

Multiple Choice

A company that has offices across Hampshire.

• PAN

• LAN

• WAN

Multiple Choice

Your home.

• PAN

• LAN

• WAN

Poll

How confident are you with the different types of network?

• Very confident

• Confident

• Not very confident

• AAAAAARGH!

Open Ended

Name an advantage of networking computers.

Open Ended

Name a disadvantage of networking computers.

Network Hardware

​

Network Interface Card

• Enables a wired connection from the computer to another device (via Ethernet)

• Also available in wireless with an antenna

• Built into mobile devices

Router

• Connects one network to another

• E.g. your home to the Internet

• Used to send data packets across the Internet

Fill in the Blanks

This device connects network devices together and sends data to all devices at once.

Fill in the Blanks

This device connects network device but sends data only to the device it's intended for.

Wireless Access Point

Connects to a wired network to create a wireless network for other devices to connect to. Often built into the router!

Open Ended

A house has computers in each room and a central router. Every room allows both Ethernet and WiFi connections to the router. Describe the purpose of the router in the house’s network.

Open Ended

Identify two additional items of network hardware, apart from cables and a router, that may be used within the house network.

Poll

How confident are you with the different network hardware?

• Very confident

• Confident

• A bit confident

• Not very confident

• ARGH!!!!

Network Topologies

Star and Mesh

Open Ended

What is a topology?

Star topology

• All devices on the network are connected to a single hub or switch.

Advantages and disadvantages of star networks

Mesh topology

• Every device is connected to every other device...

• Though you can use a partial mesh with some not connected to others

• Each device routes the data along the best possible route

Advantages and disadvantages of mesh topology

Fill in the Blanks

In this topology all nodes are connected to each other.

Fill in the Blanks

Each device is connected to a central hub or switch.

Fill in the Blanks

Can involve redundant connections.

Fill in the Blanks

Difficult to maintain/administrate the network.

Fill in the Blanks

Fewer collisions so data transfer is faster.

Fill in the Blanks

Requires extra hardware.

Fill in the Blanks

Can be horrendously expensive if it's a big network and you need lots of cables.

Poll

How confident are you with topologies?

• Very confident

• Confident

• A bit confident

• Not very confident

• Argh!!!!!!

Time for some exam questions!

Open Ended

A law firm currently use a Local Area Network (LAN) linked to a Wide Area Network (WAN). They want to upgrade their system to utilise cloud storage.

Define what is meant by a Wide Area Network.

Open Ended

The owners of a large bakery have a Local Area Network (LAN) with a star topology. They order their supplies over the Internet. When data is transmitted from the bakery to the supplier, network protocols are used. The owners of a large bakery have a Local Area Network (LAN) with a star topology.

Explain four reasons why the bakery may use a star network topology for their LAN.

Draw

Draw a star topology with 3 PCs, a printer, a network switch and a server. (3 marks)

Open Ended

A bank uses a local area network to connect all the computers in its head office.

State two ways the local area network can be used to monitor the work of employees.

Open Ended

Describe the purpose of a router in a home network.

Open Ended

Describe the role of the switch in an office network.