Network (bbc pg 1,2)

2 or more devices connected together

• Software and file sharing • Hardware sharing (e.g printers) • Communication • Roaming access

• Centralised maintenance and updates • Centralised security • User monitoring

• Cost • Management • Hacking

A LAN is a network that is geographically confined to a single site. Examples include networks employed by small businesses

LANs are connected by a wired medium such as cables, or by a wireless medium such as Wi-Fi.

Local area networks

A wide area network (WAN) is a network that is spread over a wide geographical area. It can cover more than one site, or be spread across a country, or even the world. WANs are usually made up of two or more LANs.

Wide area networks?

A wired network uses copper cable or fibre optic cable to form the connections between the networked devices(nodes)

Wireless networks tend to use radio signals as their communication medium but could use other wireless methods such as infrared light.

• new nodes can easily be added without interruption to the network • users can move around freely and still stay connected

• Radio signals can suffer from electromagnetic interference from other devices and even other radio signals. • The greater the number of nodes that are connected, the less bandwidth each receives and the slower communication becomes.

• generally faster data transfer compared to wireless networks • much less likely to suffer from interference than wireless networks • more difficult for unauthorised users to intercept data

• They are expensive to install or reconfigure - Users can’t instantly move a device from one location to another as there may not be a network connection available

Many different types of device, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, interactive TVs, media centres, games consoles and security cameras, can easily connect to a network when needed, without having to run a cable to each device.