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1.4 Wired and Wireless Networks - Coggle Diagram
1.4 Wired and Wireless Networks
Types of networks
WAN
- A wide area network is a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographic area for the primary purpose of computer networking. Wide area networks are often established with leased telecommunication circuits.
LAN
-A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building.
Factors that affect performance
the number of devices on the network
the bandwidth of the transmission medium
the type of network traffic
network latency
the number of transmission errors
Hardware
Network Interface Controller(NIC)
- A network interface controller (NIC) provides a method of connecting to a network. A NIC offers an interface port for a wired connection. A wireless NIC provides a radio transceiver for connecting wirelessly.
Transmission media
- carry data signals from one computer to another.
Wired connections are reliable and not usually subject to interference. However, they limit mobility - a wired device usually has to stay in place.
Wireless connections use radio waves to carry signals. These signals are limited in range (usually up to 50 metres), but are subject to magnetic interference - they can also be blocked by walls.
Switches
- When traffic is received, the switch forwards the traffic to its intended recipient only. This improves network performance by cutting down on unnecessary transmissions.
Wireless Access Points
- A wireless access point (WAP) uses a radio transceiver to allow wireless connections to a network. In effect, the WAP creates its own wireless network, which devices connect to. The WAP then sends wireless traffic it receives onto the main wired network.
Routers
- They are used to send data signals across the internet. Routers work by collecting knowledge of available routes to transmit data. They then determine the most suitable route for sending data.
Roles of computers
Client-server
- A client is a computer that relies on other computers (servers) to provide and manage data. The computer a person uses on a network is a client. Clients do not usually store data. Furthermore, they have no control over the network as a whole or over individual computers. Client-server networks are best suited to organisations with many computers, or to situations where many computers need access to the same information.
Peer-to-peer
- In a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, all computers have equal status - no computer has control over the network. There are no servers or clients. Instead, each computer is known as a peer. Peers store their own files, which can be accessed by other peers on the network. Therefore, a peer is both a client and a server.
P2P networks are best suited to smaller organisations that have fewer computers, or where fewer computers need access to the same data.
The Internet
The purpose of the internet is to enable communication on an international scale. Any device which connects to the internet - whether a PC, smartphone or internet fridge - becomes part of the internet, no matter where it is based.
The internet largely works on the client-server model
The internet is a worldwide collection of computer networks. The term ‘internet’ refers to the network infrastructure, not the content stored on it.
Virtual networks
Virtual networks form their connections through the internet. Virtual network servers create a network that has no direct physical connection, but one that allows file sharing and communication.
Some organisations use virtual networks to enable users at home to connect to the organisation's data and facilities. Users can then work at home as if they were at their place of work or study.
A virtual network is a network of geographically unrelated computers connected together via the internet.