Chapter 7 - Networks

Define the term 'local area network' (LAN)

• Two or more LANs connected together over a wide geographical area.  The largest example of a WAN is the internet
• Computers connected together over a small geographical area such as a school

Define the term 'wide area network' (WAN)

• Two or more LANs connected together over a wide geographical area.  The largest example of a WAN is the internet
• Computers connected together over a small geographical area such as a school

Describe a reason why we network computers together

• Users can access their files from any workstation on the network
• Building a network is expensive

Describe a disadvantage of networking

• Viruses can spread very quickly around a network causing damage to files
• You can share peripherals e.g. printers which saves money

Describe a disadvantage of networking

• You can share files with other users
• If the file server fails then no-one on the network can access any files or folders

Describe a reason why we network computers together

• If the file server fails then no-one on the network can access any files or folders
• You can share peripherals like printers which saves money

A ____________ is a hardware device that connects multiple computers together in a network and allows them to share data packets.  If it needs to send data to certain machines - it can't, it sends data to all.

• Hub
• Ethernet cable

A ______ connects computers together and shares packets between them.  A _____ is intelligent it can send data to certain computers only

• Hub
• Switch

What is the name of this networking hardware?

• Repeater
• Bridge
• Router
• Network Interface Card

What networking hardware is used to join two networks together?

• Repeater
• Bridge