local areas
Two or more computers connected together to share information and resources.
advantages
information: A school network, An office network, A home network
Lan:
A LAN is a Local Area Network.
It is a connected set of computers and other devices.
Each device is called a node (e.g. computer, printer, etc.)
A LAN is installed on one site.
Relatively small
It is owned by the organisation
It allows data to be shared
It allows peripherals (e.g. printers) to be shared
It allows communication between workers or students
disadvantages
It allows computers to be upgraded more easily
It allows distributed processing – the ability for a single program to be run simultaneously at various computers.
Expertise required to set up and maintain a large network (costly)
Security issues from unauthorised access to data
measures to network include:
Passwords – strong passwords use a range of character types
Changing passwords frequently
Not allowing users to install software
With wireless access, use encryption
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Data packets:
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Files are split into millions of data packets when sent across a network or the internet.
Packets get sent by different routes according to availability.
When you send a file online, the parts of the file might travel one way around the world and the other parts may go in the opposite direction!
Packets are reassembled at receiving end.
lan: is a local area network
wan: wide area network