1.4 | Network | Mind Map

1.4 | Network

What is a network?
1. A collection of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, peripherals, or other devices connected to one other to allow the sharing of data.
2. A group of interconnected computers / devices.
What are the main types of network?
1. Local Area Network (LAN)
  1. What is LAN?
    1. It covers a small area such as one site or building.
      1. eg. a school
2. Wide Area Network (WAN)
  1. What is WAN?
    1. It covers a large geographical area.
      1. eg. the internet
    2. Most are made from several LANs connected together.
What are the advantages?
1. Sharing devices saves money.
  1. eg. printers
2. Files can be easily shared between users.
3. Data is easy to backup as all the data is stored on the file server.
4. Security is good.
  1. Users cannot see other users' files unlike on stand-alone machines.
What are the disadvantages?
1. Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive.
2. Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer network.
3. Danger of hacking, particularly with WAN.
  1. To prevent this, security procedures are needed.
    1. eg. a firewall

1.4 | Network

	Created by M O almost 6 years ago