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Wired and wireless networks- WAN/LAN (Why use a LAN? (Sharing files is…
Wired and wireless networks- WAN/LAN
LAN(Local area network)
Covers a small geographical area located on a single site.
All the hardware is owned by the organisation that uses it.
LANs are either wired(with ethernet cables) or wireless (using wi-fi).
You can find LANs in businesses, schools
Homes have a LAN to connect devices.
WAN(wide area network)
Connects WANs in different areas/locations.
More expensive to set up than a LAN.
Connected using fibre/copper telephone lines, satellite links or radio links.
The internet is the biggest WAN.
Why use a LAN?
Sharing files is easier.
You can share the same hardware (printer)
The internet connection can be shared between devices.
Install+update software on all computers at once.
Communicate with LAN users cheaply and easily.
Users can login from any device on the LAN.
Two differences between a WAN and a LAN:
A WAN uses third party cabling to transfer data between terminals across the network
A LAN uses proprietary cabling owned by the company using the network. LANs are spread over a small geographical area.
Factors that affect the performance of networks
Bandwidth(amount of data that can be transferred in a given time)-The greater the bandwidth the better the network can perform.
-Too many users/heavy usage can make the network slow.
Wired connection is faster and more reliable than wireless.
-Wireless performance relies on signal quality so is affected by the range of the device+interference+physical obstruction.
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