Networks PMT EQs

Describe what is meant by a LAN (2)

Local Area Network - over a small geographical area

2 advantages of a LAN over a set of standalones (2)

• Communication between machines/workers

• Any machine can be used by any worker

• Easier to manage files and software

• Monitoring of workers

• Simplifies backup procedures

Describe how packet switching is used to transmit data from one computer to another computer on a network (5)

• Data is split into equal sized blocks (called packets)

• Each packet has a header of information (including destination address and the place of the packet in the complete message)

• (Each packet is placed on the network and) each may travel by a different route

• (At each node on the network the destination address is read and the) best route is found

• Packets need to be reordered at the destination

2 advantages of using packet switching over circuit switching (4)

• Transmission is safer from interception because the packets are all split up over different routes

• More efficient use of the network as each channel is only used for a short period of time

• If there is an error or data is corrupted, only a small part of the data is affected and it can easily be retransmitted

Explain what is meant by packet switching (4)

Data is split into small chunks called packets which have labels that include where they’re coming from and being sent to and which order to reassemble them into.

Each individual packet is sent on the route with the least latency meaning they may arrive in a different order than what they were sent in.

The receiver then needs to reassemble the packets in the correct order.

What is meant by a protocol (2)

A set of rules to govern data transmission between devices

2 characteristics of a LAN (2)

• Covers a small geographical area

• Uses connections owned by the organisation running the network

• More secure than a WAN

Describe 2 characteristics of a WAN (2)

• Covers a large geographical area

• Often uses third party connections

• Less secure than a LAN

Describe one piece of hardware that offices need to connect their LAN to the company’s WAN (2)

• A router which passes data between networks

• A gateway that connects networks that run on different protocols (eg. POP/POP3)

Describe what is meant by a peer to peer network (2)

• Devices on the network have equal status/there’s no central server

• Devices on the network share data

Describe what is meant by the term WAN (2)

Wide Area Network - over a large geographical area, often uses third party connection channels

Explain why protocols are important (2)

They ensure all devices follow the same rules/standards so they interpret data/signals the same way

State the names of the four layers of the TCP/IP stack (4)

• Application

• Transport

• Internet

• Network

Describe three different pieces of networking hardware in a client server network

Describe one difference between packet switching and circuit switching

Explain why packet switching is more suitable to a computer network than circuit switching

Explain the advantages of using layers in the protocol TCP/IP

Explain how the DNS plays a role in websites being loaded