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