Networks
The Devices that communicated with others
All about Networks
A computer network is a number of computers linked together to allow them to share resources. Networked computers can share hardware, software and data. Most computer networks have at least one server. A server is a powerful computer that provides one or more services to a network and its users. For example, file storage and email. Some Advantages of the network are to share devices such as printers save money, files can easily be shared between users and data is easy to back up as all the data is stored on the file server. Some disadvantages of the network are to purchase the network cabling and file servers can be expensive, viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer network and if the file server breaks down the files on the file server become inaccessible. Email might still work if it is on a separate server. The computers can still be used but are isolated. In a star network each device on the network has its own cable that connects to a switch or hub. A hub sends every packet of data to every device, whereas a switch only sends a packet of data to the destination device.
Pictures of Networks
Star Network
In a star network each device on the network has its own cable that connects to a switch or hub. A hub sends every packet of data to every device, whereas a switch only sends a packet of data to the destination device.
Ring Network
In a ring network each device (workstation, server, printer) is connected to two other devices, this forms a ring for the signals to travel around. Each packet of data on the network travels in one direction and each device receives each packet in turn until the destination device receives it.
Bus Network
In a bus network all the workstations, servers and printers are joined to one cable which is the bus. At each end of the cable a terminator is fitted to stop signals reflecting back down the bus.