Components in a network
what makes a network?
Routers
A router is a device in a network that helps to control the movement of data. Data moves around networks in packages. the function of a router is to move these data packages around the server to where they need to be. A router will generally look like the picture included.
Bus topologies
A bus network is one where all the computers are connected to a main 'path', which allows only one package of data to travel through it at once. on the bright side, if one computer crashes, it has very little effect on the network, but on the other hand, if the main bus line crashes, none of the computers will work until it is fixed
Ring topologies
A ring network is a network in which all the computers are connected, and data can travel between them. These are not widely used, as data can only travel one way, so must go the whole way round to reach the next computer along, so they are not very efficient. also, if one computer crashes, the whole network goes down.
Star topologies
a star network is a network in which every computer is connected to a server, and data travels from one computer to another via the server. An advantage of this is that if one computer crashes it has little effect on the other computers in the network, but if the server crashes, then all of the computers are out of order until the server is running again. star networks are the most widely used, and the most reliable, networks
which is the best?
the most widely used, and the most reliable, topology is the star topology. this is because if one of the lines breaks, only one of the computers crashes, leaving the others fully functioning. a disadvantage, however, is that if the server breaks down, then all of the computers are out of action until it is fixed.