Networks & Topologies (OCR GCSE Computer Science): Flashcards
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Practise the cards
15 cards from this deck
Definition of a network
Definition of a network
Connection of 2+ computers sharing resources/data/communication
LAN geographic coverage
LAN geographic coverage
Small areas like a single building or campus
WAN geographic coverage
WAN geographic coverage
Large areas, countries or continents
Network benefit: peripheral sharing
Network benefit: peripheral sharing
Devices like printers/scanners can be shared, saving money
Effect of more devices on network
Effect of more devices on network
More devices = more data = potentially slower network
What is bandwidth?
What is bandwidth?
Amount of data transferred in a given time
Wired vs wireless network speed
Wired vs wireless network speed
Wired networks are generally faster than wireless
Client-Server: server role
Client-Server: server role
Central machine managing resources & services for clients
Client-Server network disadvantage
Client-Server network disadvantage
Expensive; if server fails, clients lose access
Peer-to-Peer network structure
Peer-to-Peer network structure
No server; all computers are equal and share directly
Peer-to-Peer advantage
Peer-to-Peer advantage
Easy and cheap to set up
What does a NIC do?
What does a NIC do?
Connects device to network (wired or wireless)
What is a MAC address?
What is a MAC address?
Unique address for each NIC
Router function
Router function
Directs data between networks & connects LAN to internet
Switch function
Switch function
Connects devices in LAN; sends data to intended recipient