Networks and the effects of

using them
Chapter 4
• understand how a router works and its purpose
– describe how networks and individual computers connect to the internet
– describe how a router stores computer addresses
– describe how it routes data packets
• understand the use of other common network devices, including: network interface cards, hubs, bridges, switches,
modems
• understand the use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in networks
– describe how computers can use Wi-Fi to connect to a network
– describe how computers can use Bluetooth to connect to a network
– compare and contrast Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
• understand how to set up and configure a small network, including: access to the internet, the use of a
browser, the use of email, access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• understand the characteristics and purpose of common network environments, such as intranets and the internet
– define what the internet is
– define what an intranet is
– describe the differences between an intranet and the internet
– explain the purpose of an intranet and how that differs from the purpose of the internet
– describe the uses of an intranet
– describe the uses of the internet
– define the terms Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN)
– describe the differences between a LAN, a WLAN and a WAN
• understand the advantages and disadvantages of using different types of computer to access the internet
– compare the advantages and disadvantages of using laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers and
smartphones to access the internet.
UNDERSTAND HOW A ROUTER WORKS AND ITS PURPOSE

– describe how networks and individual computers connect to the internet

– describe how a router stores computer addresses
– describe how it routes data packets

What is a Computer Network?

A network is two or more computers, or other electronic devices, connected together so
that they can exchange data.
For example a network allows:
• Computers to share files
• Users to message each other
• Share Resources
Network connections between computers are typically created using cables (wires) or via
wireless signals.
Advantages of using Networks
• Easily share files and data.
• Share resources such as printers and Internet connections.
• Communicate with other network users (e-mail, instant messaging,
video-conferencing, etc.)
• Store data centrally (using a file server) for ease of access and
back-up.
• Keep all of our settings centrally so we can use any workstation.

Disadvantages of using Networks

• Greater risk of hackers.
• Greater risk of viruses (spreading and disabling network).
• The significant cost of extra equipment.
• When the network is down computers can not be used as
standalone computers.
• Print queues can be long.
DESCRIBE HOW A ROUTER STORES COMPUTER ADDRESSES

 Router provides a link between two or more networks. Routers are most commonly used to
connect computers and devices to the internet (WAN) either through cables or wirelessly.
 Routers can connect different types of networks together and send data between them.
 Routers can do this because they are intelligent devices and can perform the following functions:
 They can read data and decide where to send it
 They can decide on the fastest route in which to send the data

How routers store computer addresses?

All computers and devices connected to the internet are
assigned a unique number called an Internet Protocol Address
(IP address).
• Routers store IP addresses in something called a routing
table.
• The routing table lists all of the different routes to other
networks.
• The router will use the routing table to determine the best
route to use when sending data to another network.
How does a router send data between computers?
• The data is broken into small parts called packets.
• Each packets has a header that contains the IP address of the next computer/network.
• The router will use the first few numbers of the IP address to determine the location of the
network and the last numbers to determine which device on the network has requested the data.
• The Router checks the IP Address against its routing table.
• The router will use the IP address to work out the best route in which to send the data to it's
destination
UNDERSTAND THE USE OF OTHER COMMON NETWORK DEVICES, INCLUDING: NETWORK INTERFACE CARDS, HUBS, BRIDGES,
SWITCHES, MODEMS

 Networks are the Hardware components that connect computer and other devices
together in a Network.
 The most Common devices used to set up a LAN are a hub, switch, router, cable, Wi-Fi
Technology, network cards and a modem.
1. NIC (Network Interface Controller)
 NIC is a circuit board without which a Computer cannot be connected over a Network.
 Modern computers usually come with network interface cards already built-in.
 Network interface cards have ports which allow network cables
to be plugged in and connect the computer to the network.

There are two types of network interface card:

1. Wired network interface card (Where cables are used to connect
computers)
2. Wireless network interface card (Where computers are connected
using Wi-Fi)
 3. Hub: If a computer needs to send a signal to another computer on the network, the signal is
sent to the Hub or Switch.
•A hub will then transmit (broadcast) the data to all the connected devices (including back to the
device that sent the signal). This means that every device on the network will receive the same
data whether they requested it or not.
•It is used to enable the network to share files and hardware such as scanner and printer.
Network that are connected by hubs very slow because there is a lot of unnecessary data
flowing around.

4. Switch: A switch handles the data more intelligently than a hub, by inspecting the address of
the device to which they should be sent.
 The switch knows the address of the different devices on the network and only send the
message to the correct device.
 A switch is a better choice than hub because it reduces the number of packets that are
unnecessarily transmitted within the network.
 Switch is more expensive than hub.
 Switch Ports
Difference between Switch and Hub
1 2 3 4
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switche ccess Contro ue address (M h
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entify a hich
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Hub
Switch 2
Dumb Device
Smart Device 3
Switch Table

Workstation
(Computer) Mac
Addres
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1 AA-AA-AA
specific computers on the LAN using workstations on the network
workstations unique MAC addresses. which causes network traffic.
2 BB-BB-BB 2. More secure however more 2. Poor Security
3 expensive. 3. Only would be suitable for a
3. Normally used in larger networks small home networks.
4
found in Organizations, offices etc.
5. Bridge:
Bridge is a network device that typically links together with two different parts of LAN.
A bridge is used to connect two parts of a LAN network together so they function as a single LAN.
Two Switches can be connected using a the Bridge Device.
Modem: stands for Modulator Demodulator
Modems were used to connect computers to the internet before we had the use of
broadband connection.
Some modern modems have routers built-in.
How Do Modems Work?
Modems convert analogue signals from a telephone line
to digital signals which can be read by the computer.

The Modem also converts digital signals back into analogue for transmission over
telephone lines.
Modems contains both
Digital to Analogue
Converter (DAC) and a
Analogue to Digital
Converter (ADC)
Lesson Objective:
Understand the use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in networks
– describe how computers can use Wi-Fi to connect to a network
– describe how computers can use Bluetooth to connect to a network
– compare and contrast Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
 Engage

What are the wireless network technology?

What are the differences between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?

Understand the use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in networks Explore

 Bluetooth is a wireless technology also known as a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN).
 Bluetooth uses radio waves to transmit the data.
 The range of the Bluetooth connection is approximately 30 feet (10 meters) and connections is
made without cables or wires.
Advantages of Bluetooth Disadvantages of Bluetooth
Very easy to connect Bluetooth devices together. Limited signal range.
Works wirelessly so there are no messy cables Very unsecure connections and easy
needed to connect devices. for hackers to break into.
Bluetooth signals are not easily to disrupt. Slow data transfer. Bluetooth is not
suitable for transferring large files.
 Explore
Wi-Fi enables computers and other devices to communicate wirelessly with each other.
 Areas where the internet can be accessed wirelessly using Wi-Fi are called access points or
hotspots and they cane be found in many public places, such as coffee bars, hotels, airports, etc.
 The range of a Wi-Fi depends on the type of the wireless router being used and also if there are
obstacles such as walls in the way of the signal.
 For a home network, the range of Wi-Fi are typically 50m indoors and 100m outdoors

Advantages:
 It provides a wireless signal, we can work in hotels, outside, in coffee Areas where
shops, etc. computers/devices
 Not confined to working in the same place. can access the
 No trialing wires to trip over. internet using Wi-Fi
 There are not network wires, so there are no cost for their installation. are known as
HOTSPOTS.
Disadvantages
 The danger of hackers reading messages
 There are areas where we cannot get a wireless network
 There is some evidence that there may be a danger to health
 limited signal range
Compare and Contrast Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Elaborate

 Bluetooth is more useful when transferring data between two devices whereas Wi-Fi is
more suited to the networks
 The devices connected via Bluetooth should be near to each other whereas Wi-Fi has a
larger range
 Less data tends to be transferred with Bluetooth
 Wi-Fi has better security than Bluetooth Comparison
 Cost of Bluetooth is cheaper than Wi-Fi
 Bluetooth devices are battery operated which needs to be replaced or recharged but Wi-Fi
do not necessarily use batteries
 To connect to the network need a Bluetooth adapter but Wi-Fi needs a Wi-Fi adapter, a
 wireless router and a wireless access point
 Bluetooth range is approx. 20m whereas Wi-Fi is approx. 100m
 Bluetooth is simple to use and setup but Wi-Fi is more complex
 Bluetooth/Wi-Fi are both wireless can’t fall over the wires/move around the house
 Saves money (on cables) as both do not require wires Similarity
 Bluetooth is more energy efficient than Wi-Fi in some cases 3% of the energy
Understand the characteristics and purpose of common network environments, such as
intranets and the internet
– define what the internet is
– define what an intranet is
– describe the differences between an intranet and the internet
– explain the purpose of an intranet and how that differs from the purpose of the internet
– describe the uses of an intranet
– describe the uses of the internet
There are two types of network environment
• Internet
• Intranet

Define What the Internet is

Internet is Public (available to all users), it is network of networks.
The internet is the world's largest WAN and it is getting bigger all the time as more and more people
connect devices to it

Typical uses of an internet would be:

 Viewing web pages Internet Service Provider (ISP) are

 Sending and receiving e-mail messages companies that provide users with access

 Sharing files to the internet, usually for a monthly or

 Communicating using voice (VOIP) and video (video-conferencing) annual fee.

 Playing multi-player games Once paid fee to the ISP, by username and

 Streaming Video/audio Content password can use to connect to the

 Online Shopping/Banking internet.

Define What an Intranet is
Intranets are like a private internet. They function in a similar way to the internet but
are only accessible by users of the intranet (outsiders cannot connect).
Intranets exist only within the building or the company and users need a login id and password before
they can join.

Typical uses of an intranet would be:

• Viewing internal web pages (e.g. company schools, university's etc.).
• Internal e-mail and instant messaging between workers.
• Sharing of internal documents.

How do we connect to an intranet?

Anyone with the right to use an intranet would be given a login id and password.
Anyone without the correct login details would be unable to connect.
Login id's can also be used to restrict users from accessing certain parts of the intranet.
 Comparing the internet and intranet
The table below summarizes the differences between the internet and an intranet in terms of their
purpose and how they are used:

Internet Intranet
The term ‘Intranet’ comes from
The term ‘Internet’ comes from the the phrase Internal Restricted
phrase International Network. Access Network.
The internet is used to share data Intranets are used to share data
globally. locally and privately.
The internet is used to provide Intranets are used to provide
information that is relevant to a wide information which is relevant to a
range of people. single company or organization.
The internet can be accessed from Intranets can only be accessed
anywhere as long as you have an from within the company or
internet connection. organization that owns it.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the intranet rather than the internet
Advantages using intranet rather than Internet
 Intranet is policed/controlled by the Organization
 More secure as it needs a password
 Intranet private network only contains information that is relevant to the Organization
 Intranet resides behind a firewall therefore data is more secure
 Messages can target the correct People/ Employees
 Better bandwidth on the intranet
 Access from external people are barred
Disadvantages in Intranet
• More expensive to set up
• More time consuming to set up
• More time spent on administration i.e. passwords
• May only be viewed within the Organization
• More expensive to maintain
• More time consuming to maintain
• Will not be able to access Organization files at home.