KS3 Network Hardware - Lesson 2

KS3 Network Hardware - Lesson 2

Network hardware

Today's mission

• Know a range of different pieces of network hardware

• Be able to build network setups using diagrams

Let's recap last lesson...

Multiple Choice

What is a computer network?

• Two or more computers connected together to share resources

• A single computer

• A powerful computer that provides a service

• A set of rules

Multiple Choice

What do we call the fragments of data that are split up from one file and then sent across the internet?

• Fragment

• Bag

• Packet

• Split

Multiple Choice

Which network type covers multiple geographical sites using leased hardware such as underground cables?

• PAN

• LAN

• WAN

• NAN

Open Ended

We talked about hardware last half term. What is hardware? (Give a definition!)

Open Ended

Give me an example of a piece of computer hardware.

What is hardware?

• Hardware is the term given to a physical device that you can see and touch.

• For instance the monitor you are watching this video on is a piece of hardware.

So... what is network hardware?

Open Ended

What is network hardware?

Guess the hardware...

• You are about to be shown some images of hardware components used in computer networks.

• You must select the right term from the choices.

Multiple Choice

What is this piece of hardware?

• Network cable

• Switch

• Router

• Server

This is a switch.

This is used for connecting some/all of the computers on a network together.

A switch sends data only to the device it's intended for. This means that there is no redundant data to slow the network down, and less risk of data collisions.

Multiple Choice

What is this piece of network hardware?

• Network cable

• Hub

• Router

• Server

This is a network cable.

It connects the computer to other network hardware/other computers.

Multiple Choice

What is this piece of network hardware?

• Network cable

• Hub

• Router

• Server

This is a server.

It is a powerful computer that holds things such as your files and your login details.

Multiple Choice

What is this, I wonder...

• Network cable

• Hub

• Router

• Server

This is a router.

Its main job is to connect one network to another - for instance, your home network to the internet.

Network cables

• To connect together different devices, you need cables. 

• They have plastic plugs that connect into sockets on devices.

• The cable is made up of a number of copper wires. 

• Data can be sent in both directions across a cable.

Open your Classroom Assignment...

It's called "9.4.2 Network Hardware"

Scenario 1

• A small company has 4 people working for it with 4 computers.

• All of the computers need to be networked together using cables so that they can communicate.

• Using the worksheet (Task 1 part 1), connect each computer to each other computer using lines for cables.

Scenario 1 solution

• This illustration shows how you should have set the network up.  

• All computers can communicate with one another as they all have a connection.

• Can you see a disadvantage for this setup?

Open Ended

What is a disadvantage of this network setup?

Scenario 1 solution

• This setup requires a lot of cabling. 

• With more computers, this can become unmanageable and expensive.

• How many cables would be needed for a room with 6 computers?  

• Have a go on the worksheet (Task 1 part 2)

Task 1 Part 2

• 15 separate cables would be required to connect 6 computers.

• Imagine how complex it would be for 20 computers!

• 
  

• 
  

Switch

• A switch connects a number of computers together.

• Ports allow cables to be plugged in from each connected computer.

• A message sent from computer A to computer B travels via the switch.

Scenario 2

• The company wishes to install a hub to reduce the overall number of cables used to network the 4 computers.

• Using the worksheet (Task 2), connect the computers together with the addition of a switch.

Scenario 2 solution

• The switch becomes the central device in the network.

• All messages between the computers will pass through the switch.

Server

• Some networks will have a server.

• A server is a powerful computer which provides services.

• There are many different types of server, for example, a file server which stores files (i.e. text, images, sound, or video) that can be accessed by all devices on the network. 

• You could also have servers for mail and applications!

Scenario 3

• The company network currently looks like this.

• Imagine that computer A is turned off.

• Can computer C access files that are stored on computer A?

  
  

Multiple Choice

Can Computer C access Computer A's files when Computer A is off?

• Yes

• No

Scenario 3

• The company wishes to install a file server so that all 4 computers can store their files in a central location.

• Using the worksheet (Task 3), add a file server to your network diagram.

Scenario 3 Solution

• A file server has been connected to the hub.

• The personal computers are no longer reliant on each other. All files can be stored and accessed centrally on the file server.

Task 4

• You are going to see a paragraph with a missing word.

• Fill in the blank.

• Each word will only be used once.

Do the first one!

Do number 2!

Do the last one!

Router

• When a network needs to be connected to another network over a large area, a router is needed.

• A router forwards messages from one network to another. It acts as a gateway.

Router

• A common job of a router is to join a home network to the internet via an internet service provider (ISP).

• Whether you are watching this through a network in your home, or through your mobile network, whoever provides this is your ISP. 

Scenario 4

• The company wants to connect its network to the internet so that the 4 users can carry out internet research on their computers via the web.

• Using the worksheet (Task 4), add a router and an ISP (an ISP is normally represented by a cloud).

Scenario 4 solution

• The router is connected to the hub, just as the file server was in the previous scenario.

• All personal computers now have access to the router.

• All personal computers can now carry out research on the web via the internet.

Poll

How confident are you with what we've learned today?

• On top of the world!

• Pretty happy with the topic

• OK

• Not sure

• Help!