Network Topologies
ICT
LAN
LAN stands for local area network. A LAN covers a small area such as one site or building. for example a school. it allows all the computers on site to connect and share data,software and hardware etc.
WAN
WAN stands for wide are network.This can be used to connect different LAN's together for example a company with different facility's can all be connected to a warehouse. this can share data throughout more than one LAN
The bus topology
In a bus topology all of the workstations are connected to one cable (the bus). at each end terminators are fitted to prevent data from being reflected back down the bus. An advantage of this would be all the computers are connected together.
A disadvantage would be if there is a break in the network none of the computers would work.
Ring topology
In a ring topology each devise is connected to two other devices. This forms a ring for the signals to travel round in. The data packets can only travel one way around the ring and have to stop at each device before it reaches it's destination An advantage of this is all the devices can be connected to each over and data can travel quickly. A disadvantage could be that if there's a break in the network the whole network wouldn't function
Star topology
In a star topology each device has it's own cable that connects to a switch or hub. A switch sends a data packet to it's desired destination were as a hub sends every data packet to every devise. An advantage of this would be it's very reliable. if one device or cable fails all the others will continue to work. However a disadvantage would be that they're very expensive as a switch or hub can cost a lot as well as network cables.
Components needed for a network
1 or more device.
Ethernet cable or wireless compatibility
server Hub or switch