What does a computer network allow computers to share?

Networks allow the sharing of files, printers and other resources. Networks also allow an administrator to control the security settings on all computers which are connected to it through Active Directory.

What does LAN stand for and can you define it?
LAN stands for Local Area Network. It is a relatively small network (compared to a WAN) covering small areas like a room, an office, a building.

What does WAN stand for and can you define it?
WAN stands for Wide Area Network. As its name suggests, it is a computer network that covers a far wider area than a LAN (Local Area Network). WANs cover cities, countries, continents and the whole world.

To log onto a network, what do you usually need?
To connect to the internet you would need a computer, a router with an internet connection and you would need to link up the computer to the router either wireless or with a Ethernet cable directly to the router.

Which of these statements is TRUE about a LAN?

A LAN connects computers in a small area such as an office.
True
A modem is needed to connect a computer to a LAN.
False
A LAN consists of only one computer.
False

What is a server in a computer network?
A network server is a computer designed to process requests and deliver data to other computers over a local network or the Internet.

Which of the following networks is LEAST likely to be a WAN?

The Internet
True
A school network
True
A network of bank cash dispensers
False
What are the three main network typologies and can you describe them?

Star – All computers and devices are connected to a centrally located hub or switch.  The hub or switch collects and distributes the flow of data within the network. It’s better to use a switch than a hub because a switch transmits the data to the intended recipient rather than to all hosts on a network.

Bus –  All computers and devices are connected in series to a single linear cable called a trunk or sometimes called a backbone. Both ends of the trunk must be terminated to stop the signal from bouncing back up the cable. Because the bus topology does not have a central point it is difficult to troubleshoot problems.  Also, a break at any point along the bus can cause the entire network to go down.

Ring – In this topology, all computers and devices are connected to cable that forms a closed loop.  Each computer on this type of topology acts like a repeater and boosts the signal before sending it to the next computer. It transmits data by passing a “token” around the network. Hence this type of network is commonly called a token ring network. Similar to the Bus topology, if one computer fails, the entire network goes down.


What is a workstation?
A computer or device that can connect to the internet.

What is a data collision?
When two computers send data at the same time and the sets of data collide somewhere in the media.