Large geographic area. Infrastructure is hired from telecommunication companies who own and manage it. Connected with telephone lines, fibre optic cables or satellite links.

A client makes requests to the server for data and connections. A server controls access and security to one shared file store. A server manages access to the internet, shared printers and email services. A server runs a backup of data.

All computers are equal. Computers

serve their own files to each other. Each computer is responsible for its own

security and backup. Computers usually have their own printer.

A single computing device not

connected to any other on a network, either wired or wireless.

A networking hardware device that allows a Wi-Fi device to connect to a wired network.

In packet-switched networks such as

the internet, this is a device or, in some cases, software on a computer,

that determines the best way for a packet to be forwarded to its destination.

A computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.

The physical media over which data

is transmitted, e.g. twisted copper cable, fibre optic etc.

DNS

Websites stored on dedicated servers. Reasons include: Websites need to be available 24/7. Accessed by thousands of users at a time. Strong protection from hackers. They need an IP address that doesn’t change.

Remote servers that store data that

can be accessed over the internet. Advantages: Access anytime, anywhere from

any device. Automatic backup. Collaborate on files easily.

A logical software based network. Advantages: + Increased security, including more secure access to the network remotely. + The network can easily be expanded with less impact on the infrastructure and cost. + Log in to work from home