1. Elements of an ICT networks COMMUNICATION DEVICES: 1.Network interface card 2.Hub 3.Switch 4.Router STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES: 1.Enable devices to communicate with each other 2.Ensures the security of the system NETWORKING SOFTWARE: 1.Network operating systems 2.Network management software DATA TRANSFER MEDIA: 1.Metal wires 2.Fibre optic cable 3.Wireless Elements of an ICT networks COMMUNICATION DEVICES: 1.Network interface card 2.Hub 3.Switch 4.Router STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES: 1.Enable devices to communicate with each other 2.Ensures the security of the system NETWORKING SOFTWARE: 1.Network operating systems 2.Network management software DATA TRANSFER MEDIA: 1.Metal wires 2.Fibre optic cable 3.Wireless Network topologies RING: 1.Circular configuration 2.Easy to add extra devices 3.Equal status of devices 4.Faults hard to locate 5.Only one path for data BUS: 1.Small amount of cable 2.Easy to add extra devices 3.Has a backbone cable 4.Only suited for small networks MESH: 1.Fault tolerant 2.Easy to locate faults 3.Higher costs 4.Harder to maintain STAR: 1.Central connection hub 2.Fault tolerant 3.Easy to add extra computers 4.Higher costs because more cable needed 5.Dependant on central hub, switch, router or computer Network topologies RING: 1.Circular configuration 2.Easy to add extra devices 3.Equal status of devices 4.Faults hard to locate 5.Only one path for data BUS: 1.Small amount of cable 2.Easy to add extra devices 3.Has a backbone cable 4.Only suited for small networks MESH: 1.Fault tolerant 2.Easy to locate faults 3.Higher costs 4.Harder to maintain STAR: 1.Central connection hub 2.Fault tolerant 3.Easy to add extra computers 4.Higher costs because more cable needed 5.Dependant on central hub, switch, router or computer Topic 4

2. Networks INTRANETS: 1.Private network 2.Uses same technology as internet 3.Only used by employees EXTRANETS: 1.Not restricted to just employees 2.Suppliers, customers and other trading partners can access it 3.Can use public or private communications 4.Uses same technology as internet Networks INTRANETS: 1.Private network 2.Uses same technology as internet 3.Only used by employees EXTRANETS: 1.Not restricted to just employees 2.Suppliers, customers and other trading partners can access it 3.Can use public or private communications 4.Uses same technology as internet Relative advantages and disadvantages of network ADVANTAGES: 1.Ability to share files 2.Ability to share hardware resources 3.Ability to share software 4.Lower software costs 5.Improved security 6.Easier to back up files 7.Easier to implement acceptable use policies 8.Improved communications 9.Central maintenance and support DISADVANTAGES: 1.Technical knowledge needed 2.Lack of access when file server fails 3.Cost Relative advantages and disadvantages of network ADVANTAGES: 1.Ability to share files 2.Ability to share hardware resources 3.Ability to share software 4.Lower software costs 5.Improved security 6.Easier to back up files 7.Easier to implement acceptable use policies 8.Improved communications 9.Central maintenance and support DISADVANTAGES: 1.Technical knowledge needed 2.Lack of access when file server fails 3.Cost Topic 4

3. Key words HOT SPOT – a region where the internet can be accessed wirelessly Wi-Fi – a trademark for the certification of products that meet certain standards for transmitting data over wireless networks EXTRANET – an external network that can be used by the customers, suppliers and partners of an organisation as well as the organisation itself INTRANET – a private network used within an organisation that makes use of internet technology

4. Questions LAN computers, local area network computers, are computers that are all connected together under one geographical area for example one particular building. Stand alone computers are computers that have no internet connection and is not connected to any other computer. Students using a LAN rather than a stand alone computer is good because they are able to get onto the internet which will help them complete more work and also it will help them exchange work through e-mail. Students using a LAN rather than a stand alone computer is bad because they have less privacy from the other people on the system and they are able to get virus’s from each other. Two differences between LAN and WAN is that LAN is a local area network at it is confined to one geographical area like a building rather than a wide area like multiple buildings or sites. Another difference is that in WAN, third party communications equipment is used where hardware will be placed in many sites. The purpose of a network interface card is to prepare data for sending over the network, to send the data and to control the flow of data from the computer terminal to the transmission medium.

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