Networks
What is the difference between LAN and WAN?
LAN (Local Area Network) - small coverage (building, campus), generally faster, usually private, e.g. office netwrok, school
WAN (Wide Area Network) - large coverage (country, worldwide), slower due to long-distance transmission, can be public or private; e.g. The Internet, multinational company network
What conductor is used in ground transmission?
copper
What is a satellite?
machine or device that is launched into space and orbits around Earth or another celestial body
I send out waves, but I don't make a sound,
I find hidden things, and know where they’re found.
I help ships and planes when they’re far from the ground,
What am I, that uses signals to search all around?
radar
What does a network consist of?
What different means of ground transmission are there?
wires, coaxial cables, optical fibres
What's the purpose of an antenna?
to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals; essential to all equipment that uses radio
I look at the sky, but I don't see the stars,
I catch signals from planets, near and far.
I’m round and wide, like a giant’s hat,
What am I, that sits still, yet reaches out flat?
antenna dish
What is the purpose of a network?
The purpose of a network is to connect multiple computers and devices to share data, hardware, and software resources efficiently. Networks facilitate communication, collaboration, and access to information between users.
Where are coxial cables and optical firbes used?
Coaxial cables are used in:Television broadcasting (cable TV); Radio transmission; Internet connections (older broadband networks)
Optical fibres are used in:High-speed internet connections (fiber-optic broadband); Telecommunication systems; Medical instruments (such as endoscopes);Sensing devices (for measuring temperature, pressure, etc.
What is the difference between low-orbit satellites and medium-orbit satellites?
LEO satellites are closer to Earth, ideal for low-latency communications and high-resolution imaging, but need more satellites to cover the entire planet. Used for weather and environmental monitoring, telecommunications
MEO satellites are used mainly for navigation systems and offer broader coverage but with higher latency compared to LEO satellites. Used for global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) like GPS, some telecommunications applications.
I carry your words, both spoken and written,
I connect people, whether distant or hidden.
I can be loud, or soft and quiet,
What am I, that’s never shy to start a riot?
communication
Name 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of networks.
+ Facilitates communication (emails, texts, video calls, videoconferencing); Enables file and data sharing; Allows sharing of hardware (printers, scanners, fax machines); Provides access to data and programs stored on other computers.
- Can be difficult to set up; Security risks due to hackers, viruses, and worms; Can interfere with other technologies (e.g., power line communication affecting radio signals).
Describe the stucture of a coaxial cable.
inner conductor insulated with plastic and surrounded by a woven copper shield with a final layer of platic or rubber coating
When was the first satellite launched?
in 1957 by the Soviet Union
I help computers talk, all across the land,
With rules and addresses, like a helping hand.
I guide your messages from point A to B,
What am I, that makes sure they’re sent safely?
IPS - Internet Protocol Suite