Unit 2 Technology Systems BTEC First Diploma in Information and Creative Technology

Learning aims Understand how the components of technology systems work together. Understand how data flows between internal components of a computer and is processed to provide information. Understand different types of software.

Computer networking and transferring data Computers in technology systems communicate with each other by sending messages and transmitting data over a network. Networks are everywhere, there are different types for different purposes.

Types of network Local area network – LAN Wide area network – WAN Connects computers and other devices such as printers together at a single location, such as a business premises or a home. Wide area network – WAN Used by organisations to connect their LANs together into a single network covering anywhere in the world. Personal area network – PAN Used to connect your devices together, e.g. to synchronise your computer, including your mail, with your mobile phone. Mobile broadband – Uses 3G mobile phone technology to connect your laptop (using a dongle), netbook or phone to the internet.

Computer networks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWTJKcg7Pj8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osWctsnbMa4

Key terms 3G mobile phone technology Dongle 3G stands for third generation and refers to technology which supports fast data-transmission speeds and increased network capacity and networks through a smartphone. 3G supersedes 1G and 2G mobile phone technology and precedes 4G technology. Dongle A small hardware device that plugs into the USB to provide functionality such as connecting to Wi-Fi.

Activity For each of the four types of network, LAN, WAN, PAN and mobile broadband: Find an image for each type of network Write down 3 examples of users that the network would be suitable for.

Uses of network systems Sharing Networks are used to share data and resources so that anyone who is logged onto the network and has authorisation to access them can do so. Networked resources include printers, the internet and your document space on a network server. E.g. shared data is held on the network of an organisation so that staff can see and change information about clients and for other collaborative work such as working on documents. Communication Networks are great for communication – email, instant messaging and video conferencing are available for users to share ideas and reduce the need for travel.

Uses of network systems Entertainment Networked systems provide the infrastructure to connect with people or online services anywhere in the world. You can stream files or listen to radio stations live hundreds or thousands of miles away, or you can join in online gaming communities and play with other players from different parts of the country or the world. You can also get up-to-the-second news updates and updates from friends via social networking or microblogging sites such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Online gaming is a form of entertainment that uses networked systems to connect to the other players through the internet, e.g. Unreal Tournament. Many people enjoy LAN parties, where people bring their computers together to play games such as Need for Speed using a LAN.

Benefits of networking computers Networking computers can save money by allowing people to share resources. Networks can enhance how people work by improving communications and giving them the ability to share documents. Employees can access networks from home and many other places, so people have less need to attend the workplace. This save the organisation time and also reduces pollution caused by commuting to and from the workplace. What disadvantages can you think of?

Synchronising data If you have information on different devices, you will need to synchronise this data using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, infrared or cable to connect the devices. The devices can be connected to form a PAN to update older information to the most recent. Synchronising data can bring calendars on two different devices up to date by making appointments and reminders the same on both. Other data that might need synchronising could be texts, email messages, music, videos, podcasts or anything else held on these devices.

Key terms Synchronise Podcast In this context it means making the same data available using different devices. If you are using different devices, then each time you use a new device the data will need to ‘sync’ (or update) so that you are using the most up-to-date version of the data. Podcast a download from the BBC, Apple and many other providers in the form of video or audio. Once you have downloaded a podcast, you can play it at any time on a mobile device or computer.

Physical methods of transferring data Physical methods of transferring data between devices use cabled topology to connect the devices together. Cabling must always meet the requirements for specified users and purposes. Cabled methods include: Optical fibre UTP – unshielded twisted pair Coax – coaxial cables

Optical fibre This is used for very fast connections between switches in a network and to bring broadband to buildings and business premises. Optical fibre cables are great for fast connections, but not very good for places where the cable might be moved, such as a connection to a workstation.

Unshielded twisted pair Used widely to connect computers and printers to switches in LANs with CAT6 or CAT5 cabling. UTP is a great all-rounder for cabled LANS, but is poor at very high speeds.

Coaxial Cables Coax is used to connect homes to optical broadband systems. Coax is good for short distances, but poor for longer stretches. Older networks used copper coaxial cabling, which was a lot slower, this has mostly been replaced by UTP.

Wireless methods of transferring data Wi-Fi Wi-Fi is a very common technology built into every laptop for connection to LANs. Many printers and desktop computers have built in Wi-Fi for connection to a wireless network and so they are easily positioned without a network cable. Other computers that need a wireless connection can have a Wi-Fi network card installed or Wi-Fi devices can connect via the USB port (universal serial bus) Wi-Fi needs a wireless access point (WAP) which is often part of a router and acts like a switch to connect the wireless devices together.

Wireless methods of transferring data Wi-Fi 802.11 protocol defines how Wi-Fi devices can transmit and receive data. 802.11 has several variations – 802.11g at 54 Mbps and 802.11n at up to 300Mbps are the current standards. When looking for a wireless router, you first want to check whether it’s b, g or n. The letters refer to the wireless communication standard on which the router is based: 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. The first generation of wireless routers was b, followed by g, and now n – the newest generation. The primary difference among the router standards is and range. You won’t find many b routers available anymore (except on eBay, perhaps) because it’s old technology.

Wireless methods of transferring data Bluetooth Bluetooth is a short-range, fairly slow wireless technology that is built into most mobile devices. It is used to connect mobile phones to headsets and for data transfers such as MP3 music between phones and computers.

Activity Create a table with three columns In the first column list the different physical and wireless methods of transferring data. In the second column give the benefits of each method. In the third column give the drawbacks

Check! Name the four main types of network and state where they are commonly used. What does the term synchronise mean? Explain the difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.