Network Components

Computer Network

Allows computers and devices to share data

Personal Area Network (PAN)

A network that allows up to 10 metre communication between devices such as laptops and mobile phones

Local Area Network(LAN)

A computer network with a small geographic area such as a home or school

Wide Area Network(WAN)

A computer network that connects separate LANs over a large geographical area

Network Types

Client-Server Network and Peer to Peer Networks

Peer to Peer Networks

The computers are connected together and each computer acts as both a client and server and can communicate directly to each other

Client-Server Networks

Servers provides a resource or service and clients request such resources or services

Server

High performance computer designed to process requests and deliver data to other computers over the Internet

Client

Computer on which the user works that sends request to server

Network Topology

Organisation of the connections between devices which shows how network should be lay out and how devices to connect to one another

Star Topology

Devices are indirectly connected via a central hub or switch

Mesh Topology

All devices are connected directly to each other without a central switch

Hub

A basic networking device that connects multiple computers in an LAN and blindly broadcasts data to all other ports regardless of destination

Switch

An “intelligent“ device that learns which computer is connected to which port via its MAC address and sends data only to the specific port of the recepient

End devices(Hosts)

Devices, such as computers or phones where data originates or terminates

Intermediary devices

Hubs, switches and routers that interconnect end devices and ensure data flows correctly

Network Media

Physical cables or wireless frequencies that carry binary signals

Router

Connects multiple networks together, such as home LAN network to your Internet Service Provider’s massive WAN

File Server

Store and manage files for a network

Web Server

Server that hosts HTML, CSS and images for websites

Database servers

Store user accounts and application data