Networks Y7

A computer by itself, not connected to any other computers

Two or more computers connected together over a wide geographical area

Two or more computers connected together within a building or adjacent building

A computer connected to another computer on a network

A computer by itself, not connected to any other computers

Two or more computers connected together over a wide geographical area

Two or more computers connected together within a building or adjacent building

A computer connected to another computer on a network

Expensive

Needs extra hardware

Slow

Easy to install

Fast

Good security

Bus

Ring

Star

If the central switch or server fails, the whole network is down

Requires a high performance switch or server in the centre as all traffic passes through it.

Extra hardware such as hubs and switches may be needed

All 3 of them

They are portable and easy to carry around with you

Viruses can spread quickly across a network

Specialist IT staff are needed to maintain them which is expensive

Sharing devices such as printers saves money

They are portable and easy to carry around with you

Viruses can spread quickly across a network

Specialist IT staff are needed to maintain them which is expensive

Sharing devices such as printers saves money

Network

WWW

Internet

Local Area Network

File servers and cabling are expensive

Central backups are quicker

Users can access their files on any computer on the network

Data can be lost as storage can be easily scratched

Networks have a limited storage capacity

Viruses can spread quickly across a network

Sharing devices such as printers saves money

Increased security