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Computer Networks, Connections and Protocols 3 - 1

This document provides an overview of computer networks including: - The reasons for using networks such as sharing files, peripherals, accessing files remotely, and communication. - Examples of Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) and their characteristics. - Factors that can affect network performance such as number of devices, bandwidth, error rate, and latency. - The roles of servers and clients in client-server and peer-to-peer networks. - Hardware required to connect computers in a LAN such as wireless access points, routers, switches, and network interface cards.

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48 views23 pages

Computer Networks, Connections and Protocols 3 - 1

This document provides an overview of computer networks including: - The reasons for using networks such as sharing files, peripherals, accessing files remotely, and communication. - Examples of Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) and their characteristics. - Factors that can affect network performance such as number of devices, bandwidth, error rate, and latency. - The roles of servers and clients in client-server and peer-to-peer networks. - Hardware required to connect computers in a LAN such as wireless access points, routers, switches, and network interface cards.

Uploaded by

Lucas M
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Computer networks,

connections and protocols


1.3
Why network?
• Users can share files.
• Users can share peripherals such as printers and a connection to the
internet.
• Users can access files from any computer on the network.
• Servers can control security, software updates and backup data.
• Communication with other people e.g.: social networking and email.
1.3.1 Networks and topologies
• Types of network:
• LAN (Local Area Network)
• Covers a small geographical area located on single site.
• Hardware is owned by the organisation using it.
• Wired by UTP cable, fibre optic or wireless (Wi-Fi)

• The characteristics of LANs and WANs including common examples of


each
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
• Covers a large geographical area, connecting LANs together.
• Infastructure between LANs is leased from telecommunication companies who own and manage it.
• WANs are connected via telephone lines, fibre optics cables or satellite links.

• The characteristics of LANs and WANs including common examples of each


Disadvantages of Networking
• Increased security risk to data.
• Malware and viruses spread very easily between computers.
• If a server fails, the computers connected to it may not work.
• The computer may run more slowly if there is a lot of data travelling
on the network.
Factors that affect the performance of
networks
• Understanding of different factors that can affect the performance of
a network, e.g.:
• Number of devices connected – Too many devices will slow down the transfer
of data (is dependent on bandwidth)

• Bandwidth (the amount of data that can be sent and received successfully in
a given time)
• Not how fast but how much data can be sent.
• Measured in BPS (Bits per Second) often called the bit rate.
• Wired connections have greater bandwidth than wireless.
• Copper cable has a smaller bandwidth than fibreoptic cables.
• Error rate: If the connection is unreliable then data will be resent until
it arrives correctly (increasing the amount of data).
• Reliability can be due to a number of factors such as the length of the
cable or the grade of the cable.
• Latency
• Delay from transmission to receiving the data.
• Can be caused by bottlenecks in the network infrastructure (explain).
Recap
• Why use a Network?
• Define a LAN?
• Give an example of a LAN?
• Define a WAN?
• Give an example of a WAN?
• Give two factors that effect the data transmission performance on a
LAN?
• What are the disadvantages of Networking.
The different roles of computers in a client-
server and a peer-to peer network
• The tasks performed by each piece of hardware
• A server controls access and security to one shared file store.
• A server manages access to the internet
• A server provides email services
• A server runs a backup of the data.
• A client makes a request to the server for data and connections.
Advantages/disadvantages of client server
model
Advantages
• Easier to manage security.
• Easier to backup.
• Easier to install updates.
Disadvantages
• Expensive to setup and run
• Requires specialist knowledge
• A server is a single point of failure.
Peer to Peer
•?
• Backups
• Security
• File storage
• Printing. (Can be shared)
Advantages
• Very easy to maintain
• Specialist staff are not required
• No dependency on a single computer
• Cheaper
• No expensive hardware required.
Disadvantages
• Less secure
• Users have to create own backups
• Can be difficult to maintain cohesion such as structure file storage.
• Duplication of peripherals
The hardware needed to connect stand-alone
computers into a Local Area Network:
• Wireless access points
• Routers
• Switches
• NIC (Network Interface Controller/Card)
• Transmission media
Router
A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between
computer networks. Routers perform the traffic directing functions
between networks and on the global Internet. Data sent through a
network, such as a web page or email, is in the form of data packets
Switch
A network switch connects devices in a network to each other, enabling
them to talk by exchanging data packets. Switches can be hardware
devices that manage physical networks or software-based virtual
devices. Switches form the vast majority of network devices in modern
data networks.
Difference
While a network switch can connect multiple devices and networks to
expand the LAN, a router will allow you to share a single IP address
among multiple network devices. In simpler terms, the Ethernet switch
creates networks and the router allows for connections between
networks.
Recap
• What is a client server network.
• What are the advantages of a client server network?
• What are the disadvantages of a client server network?
• What is a peer to peer network.
• What are the advantages of a peer to peer network?
• What are the disadvantages of a peer to peer network?
• What does a router do?
• What does a switch do?
Recap
• Why use a Network?
• Define a LAN?
• Give an example of a LAN?
• Define a WAN?
• Give an example of a WAN?
• Give two factors that effect the data transmission performance on a
LAN?
• What are the disadvantages of Networking.
The Internet as a worldwide collection of
computer networks:
• DNS (Domain Name Server)
• Hosting
• The Cloud
• Web servers and clients

• The concept of the Internet as a network of computer networks


• A Domain Name Service (DNS) is made up of multiple Domain Name Servers
• A DNS’s role in the conversion of a URL to an IP address
• Concept of servers providing services (e.g. Web server " Web pages, File server " file storage/retrieval)
• Concept of clients requesting/using services from a server
• The Cloud: remote service provision (e.g. storage, software, processing)
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Cloud
Star and Mesh network topologies
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Star and Mesh topologies
Apply understanding of networks to a given
scenario

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