P31 - P35 - Computing

Network

A collection of computers connected together. They can communicate by sending data between themselves.

Reasons for setting networks up

• Data exchange (Can be sent between computers without using external storage)

• Resource sharing (The network shares the same printers, scanners and internet connections.)

• Managing computers (Network managers can manage computers within a network by:

• Updating software

• Fixing problems

• Assist users)

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be transferred at a given time.

• The greater, the better the network’s performance potential

• It is shared between all active users, so performance can decrease if there are too many of them.

Benefits of wired vs wireless networks

• Wired networks are much faster and more reliable.

• Wireless performance depends in how well a computer can pick the signal up but is rarely better than a wired connection would be.

Topology

How the computers are laid out and connected together.

Packet switching

The process of breaking data down into packets, sending them across the Internet to another computer and finally re-assembling the data.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A collection of computers connected over a small geographical area

Where are LANs typically found?

Homes, schools, universities, and small companies.

Who sets up and maintains a LAN?

The organization that uses it.

What is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?

A collection of computers connected over a large geographical area.

Why do multinational organizations use WANs?

To connect their international offices.

How are WANs typically acquired?

They are usually rented from a large telecommunications company because they are expensive to set up.

What is a well-known example of a WAN?

The Internet.