Networks: Difference between revisions
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Advantages of networks include: | Advantages of networks include: | ||
# File sharing | # File sharing – you can easily share data between different users, or access it remotely if you keep it on other connected devices. | ||
# Resource sharing – using network-connected peripheral devices like printers, scanners and copiers, or sharing software between multiple users, saves money | # Resource sharing – using network-connected peripheral devices like printers, scanners and copiers, or sharing software between multiple users, saves money | ||
# Network users can communicate by email and instant messenger. | # Network users can communicate by email and instant messenger. | ||
Revision as of 12:44, 26 January 2020
A computer network or data network is a telecommunications network which allows computers to exchange data.
In computer networks, networked computing devices exchange data with each other using a data link. The connections between nodes are established using either cable media or wireless media. The best-known computer network is the Internet.
Network computer devices that originate, route and terminate the data are called network nodes. Nodes can include hosts such as personal computers, phones, servers as well as networking hardware. Two such devices can be said to be networked together when one device is able to exchange information with the other device, whether or not they have a direct connection to each other.
Computer networks differ in the transmission medium used to carry their signals, the communications protocols to organize network traffic, the network's size, topology and organizational intent.
Computer networks support an enormous number of applications such as access to the World Wide Web, video, digital audio, shared use of application and storage servers, printers, and fax machines, and use of email and instant messaging applications as well as many others. In most cases, application-specific communications protocols are layered (i.e. carried as payload) over other more general communications protocols.[2]
Advantages of networks include:
- File sharing – you can easily share data between different users, or access it remotely if you keep it on other connected devices.
- Resource sharing – using network-connected peripheral devices like printers, scanners and copiers, or sharing software between multiple users, saves money
- Network users can communicate by email and instant messenger.
- Security is good - users cannot see other users' files unlike on stand-alone machines.
- Data is easy to backup as all the data is stored on the file server[3]
Big ideas in networking[edit]
- Types of networks
[4] - Network standards [4]
- OSI model [4]
- Data packet [4]
- Network speed [4]
- Wireless networks [4]
- Networking hardware [4]
- Network Protocols [4]
- Transmission medium [4]
- Packet switching [4]
- Network data compression
- VPN
- Network security
- Mobile networks
Standards[edit]
There are certain standards you must demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skill in order to complete IB diploma.
- Identify different types of networks.
- Outline the importance of standards in the construction of networks.
- Describe how communication over networks is broken down into different layers.
- Define the terms: protocol, data packet.
- Explain why protocols are necessary.
- Explain why the speed of data transmission across a network can vary.
- Outline the advantages and disadvantages of wireless networks.
- Describe the hardware and software components of a wireless network.
- Describe the characteristics of wireless networks.
- Explain how data is transmitted by packet switching.
- Outline the characteristics of different transmission media.
- Identify the technologies required to provide a VPN.
- Evaluate the use of a VPN.
- Explain why compression of data is often necessary when transmitting across a network.
- Describe the different methods of network security.
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each method of network security.