NETWORK
HARDWARE
What is a network?
A network is two or more computers, or other electronic devices, connected
together so that they can share files and resources (for example: Printer).
Computers in a Network
• Clients (Workstations):
Client computers are the normal computers that people sit at to get their
work done.
• Servers:
Servers are special, powerful computers that provide ‘services’ to the
client computers on the network.
Some examples of what a server can do:
• Receive a word-processes file and save it to a network storage drive.
• Find a spreadsheet file you ask for and send it to your computer.
• Receive an email from you and pass it on to someone else.
• Receive request from you o print a file and send the file to a printer.
Network Hardware (devices)
1. Hub:
A hub is a device that connects a number of computers together to make a LAN.
When a Hub receives a message, it sends it to all the computers that are connected to
it. Every computer checks the message. The computer that the message is meant
for keeps the message. The other computers ignore the message.
2. Switch
A switch, like a hub, is a device that connects a number of computers together to make a LAN.
A switch is a more ‘intelligent’ device than a hub: if it receives a message, it checks who it is addressed to,
and only sends it to that specific computer.
• A hub is less secure than a switch.
• A switch is more expensive than a hub.
• A switch is more difficult to setup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvWn5xBflUs
Router and Modem
Router :
A router is a network device that connects together two or more networks.
Modem :
A Modem converts the signs that pass along telephone or broadband cables
into digital data your home network can use .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4Nf2-g4LzE
Wireless access point(WAP) :
A wireless access point lets you connect to the network wirelessly, from
anywhere in your home.
Router
Wireless access point
A network interface card :
A network interface card (NIC) allows a computer or other device to
connect to a network.
A standard desktop or laptop computer will be fitted with two NICs.
• One allows a network cable to be plugged in .
• The other allows wireless connections .
• The photo shows the back of a home router.
• The four empty sockets allow devices to be plugged into the router
using a cable.
• The sockets are sometimes used to connect other devices like a printer.
• The aerial is connected to the wireless access point.
• Not all WAPs have aerials, but aerials can improve the wireless signal.
Connecting LAN components :
Two types of cable connect network equipment :
• Copper cable is the most common cable in a network .
Networks use twisted pair cables, made up of pairs of thin copper wires
twisted together. Data is sent along copper cables as pulses of electricity.
• Fiber optic cable is made up of thin strands of clear fiber. Data is sent
along fiber optic cables as pulses of light .
There are three differences in the two types of cable:
1. More data can e faster speed along fibre-optic cables. Data is sent as light.
2. It is cheaper to use copper cable.
3. Fibre-optic cables can be used over longer distances
than copper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx7muAYinPQ
The Server Room
At the Centre of a network is a server room. The room is
usually air conditioned.
This is because computer equipment makes a of of heat.
If it gets too hot, the equipment may be break down.
Data Packets:
Any file that you send over the internet is split into smaller sections
before it is sent. Th small sections are called packets.
Whether the message is an email, a photograph or a word-processed file
it is split into small packets before being sent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewrBalT_eBM
What a packet contains
Each packet contains some extra data :
• The address of the person the message is being sent to
• The sequence number of the packet . A sequence number allows the
receiving computer to sort the packets into the right order.
• The total number of packets in the message. The receiving computer uses
this information to check if it has received all the packets. If any packets are
missing, the computer sends a message back to the sender and asks for
them to be re-sent. This is done automatically so you don’t have to re-send
the whole message.
https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/code-org/computers-and-the-internet/internet-works/v/the-internet-packet
-routers-and-reliability
Types of network connection
There are three main ways to connect to a network
1. Wired : your computer is connected to a data
point on a wall with a cable.
2. Wireless(Wi-Fi): a cable isn’t needed for a
wireless connection.
A WAP in a public place is called hotspot .
3. Mobile phone : smartphones can connect to
the internet using a mobile phone connection .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH_eWFn-aPs
What is cloud?
• Saving a file to the cloud means saving the file to the internet .
• When you save file in the cloud, it is stored on large storage devices.
• The storage devices are held in a data center.
• Data center is a very large computer system .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9x0UO8MY0g
Advantages of cloud storage:
• You can access your files from anywhere you have an internet connection.
• You can share your files with other people.
• Your work is safe .
Disadvantages :
• The service might not be exactly what you need .
• The owner of the service can change how its works.
• Th owner of the service can increase costs.
• Can be expensive over time.
Resources :
Page 4-31, A., Howard, L., & Held, K. (2020). Computing. 8, student book.
Oxford University Press.
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