1.3.2 - Wired and wireless networks, protocols and layers

Wired connections use physical cables, such as Ethernet and copper/coaxial or fibre optic wires, and require a network interface card (NIC) to connect to a network.

-Restricts movement -Cables can be hazardous and unsightly -Not all devices can connect via cable -Can be expensive to set up

Wireless connections, such as WiFi or bluetooth use no cables but require a wireless network interface card (WNIC).

-No hazardous, unsightly wires -Easy to connect to new devices -Can be used freely (with freedom of movement) within range

-Faster connection -Higher bandwidth -Greater security

-Connection can be slower -Less secure -Interference. From walls, objects and other electronic devices. -Can be affected by the computer’s distance from the wireless router

Ethernet is a wired connection, standard and protocol. As it is a standard it has high bandwidth, inbuilt security, a reliable connection and is low cost for maintenance compared to other wired connections

A set of standards that define how network devices communicate wirelessly over radio waves wireless networks

A standard which allows for the very short range direct connection of devices to communicate with each other wirelessly

Encryption is the process of encoding data so that it cannot be easily understood if stolen or intercepted. In this process plain text is converted into cipher text by using an encryption key. The original text can only be understood if the user has the decryption key.

IP addresses are configured by software and assigned by the router. They can change. They are used for routing across a WAN

They are 4 bytes long. They consist of numbers written in denary from 0 to 255 separated by full stops e.g. 10.208.113.14

They are written in the format of 8 hexadecimal numbers separated by colons where the largest number is FFFF. e.g.2001:db8:3333:4444:5555:6666:7777:8888

They are configured in hardware: in the NIC for computers. They cannot be changed as every device has a fixed MAC address. They uniquely identify every device on a LAN.

Networking standards are rules that allow hardware and software that use them to communicate across different manufacturers

Standards are used in many devices They allow compatibility with other devices Any advantage of a standard enables this ability

A set of rules for communication

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol A protocol used to make web page requests

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure A protocol that encrypts all data transfers between the client and server for secure browsing of the web

File Transfer Protocol For downloading or uploading a file from or to a server

Post Office Protocol Used to retrieve email with it being downloaded onto the device. The email is deleted from the email server once downloaded to the device

Internet Message Access Protocol Used to retrieve email and it allows the user to view/access the email on the server

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Used to send emials