networks and effects of using them

• Router


  Connects devices (mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers) to the internet
• Router function


  1. Receive incoming data

  2. Send outgoing data

  3. Connect local area networks to form wide area networks

  4. Transfer data between networks

  5. Store addresses in routing table

  6. Determine best route for data packets
• Routers can connect devices using cables or wireless signals
• Packet


  Data is divided into smaller packets which can take different routes over the internet
• Packet header


  Contains sender and receiver IP addresses
• Routing table


  Stores IP addresses and determines best route for data packets
• Routers use the routing table to determine the best route to send data packets to their destination
• IP address


  Uniquely identifies a device on a network and can show its physical location
• A router connects a local area network to the internet
• Switch


  Connects multiple computers in a local area network and sends data packets to specific computers using MAC addresses
• Hub


  Connects multiple computers in a local area network but sends all data packets to all connected devices, causing network traffic
• Switches are more secure and expensive than hubs
• Network interface card (NIC)


  Allows a device to connect to a network and has a unique MAC address
• Bridge


  Connects two parts of a local area network to function as a single LAN
• Router connects a local area network to a wide area network


  Switch allows data to be directed to a specific computer on a local area network
• Wi-Fi


  • Wider range than Bluetooth
  • Faster data transfer speeds than Bluetooth
• Bluetooth


  • Shorter range than Wi-Fi
  • Slower data transfer speeds than Wi-Fi
  • Supports a limited number of devices
• Wi-Fi reduces cost of cabling, is safer, and makes devices more portable
• Wired connections are more stable than Wi-Fi, which can be affected by obstacles and location
• Wi-Fi is less secure than wired connections, and Bluetooth also has potential security issues
• Cloud storage allows for centralized data storage
• Cloud storage


  Allows data to be accessed from any device with an internet connection, data can be shared with other users
• Disadvantage of cloud storage

  Data is owned/controlled by a third party, not the user
• How cloud storage works

  1. Data is stored on remote servers

  2. Can be accessed on multiple devices with internet connection

  3. Files can be shared with different users
• Advantages of cloud storage


  • Huge capacity that can be increased without adding physical devices
  • Data can be sent directly to/from the cloud from any device
  • Data is automatically backed up
• Disadvantages of cloud storage

  • Requires reliable internet connection
  • Ongoing subscription costs
  • Potential security/hacking issues
• Computers can store data in a cloud rather than using storage devices in a computer
• Benefits of storing data in a cloud

  • Data can automatically be backed up
  • Can be accessed from many devices
  • Can be accessed anywhere with internet connection
  • Many people can share access to the data
• Drawbacks of storing data in a cloud


  • No control over data security
  • Requires internet connection
  • May be more expensive long-term due to subscription fees
  • Data may be lost if internet connection drops during upload/download
• How a user could transfer large diagrams from home desktop to access at university without additional hardware

  1. Create cloud storage account

  2. Ensure sufficient storage available

  3. Log into account at home, upload diagrams

  4. Log into account at university, download and open diagrams
• Internet


  Public, global network of networks available to all users
• Intranet


  Private network within one organization, requires authentication to access
• Extranet


  Network controlled by a company, restricted and private, allows access for partners, vendors, suppliers, and authorized customers
• Typical uses of the internet

  • View web pages
  • Send emails
  • Share files
  • Make voice/video calls
  • Play online games
  • Stream content
  • Online shopping
  • Online banking
• Typical uses of an intranet

  • View internal web pages
  • Access internal communication like emails and instant messages
  • Share internal documents
• The internet is public and global, the intranet is private and within one organization, the extranet is an extension of the intranet allowing access for external parties
• Differences between internet and intranet


  • Internet is open to the public, intranet requires authentication and is more secure
  • Information on the internet may be less reliable, intranet information is more reliable as it is managed and controlled
• Local area network (LAN)


  Network covering a small geographical area, usually within one building
• Wide area network (WAN)


  Network extending over a large geographical area, created by connecting multiple LANs
• Wireless local area network (WLAN)


  LAN that uses wireless signals (Wi-Fi) to connect devices instead of cables, with access points providing the wireless connection