Worksheet 1 network hardware and software



=Question 1=

List three reasons why an organisation might use a network rather than stand-alone computers.
 * 1) Access to email.
 * 2) Gives you access to other resources connected to a another computer within the network.
 * 3) Access to network drives.

=Question 2=

Distinguish between LAN s and WAN s.

Local Area Network-

1. Network is limited to a small area for e.g. school or office building.

Wide Area Network- is a computer network which cover a large area. For example any network whose communications links cross metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries.

Metropolitan Area Network

=Question 3=

Network interface cards vary quite widely in price. Do some research at your local computer store, on the Internet, or in the Age Green Guide to find out what difference the price of a NICs makes to their speed and performance.

.PCI is a more expensive but faster card interface compared too ISA.

=Question 4=

Define protocol. A protocol is a set of rules which is used by computers to communicate with each other across a network

=Question 5=

Research the three main types of cables used in networks. Complete the following table:

=Question 6=

Wireless networks have many advantages. They allow laptop users to connect to the network anywhere within a building. They also make the process of laying cables – crawling through roof spaces, installing network points etc – unnecessary. What are some of the disadvantages of wireless networks?

1.It's a bit more difficult to setup properly 2. Risk of 'outsiders' accessing your network

3. Significantly slower than a wired network 4. The network can be less stable. Wireless reception may be impaired by a number of factors including large distances or objects between wireless devices, and other wireless networks.

=Question 7=

What are the two main network operating systems?

-peer to peer

- client/server

Question 8
Glossary table

Complete the following table by writing in the correct terms and definitions.

=Question 9=

Investigate the advantages and disadvantages of three of the main types of network topology: Star, Ring and Bus. Complete the following table: