Types of Networks (Edexcel GCSE Computer Science)

Advantages & Disadvantages of Networks

What is a network?

• A network is two of more devices connected together that exchange data and share resources

• There are two different types of networks

  • Local Area Networks (LANs)

  • Wide Area Networks (WANs)

• For the exam it is important to understand the properties as well as the advantages and disadvantages of LANs and WANs

• It is also important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of having a network 

What are the advantages of having a network?

• Users can share resources such as printers and connection to the internet 

• Users can access their files from any computer on the network

• Communication can be made easier via email and social networks

• Users can share files and folders easily such as central databases and spreadsheets

• Servers can be used to provide centralised backups, updates and security

What are the disadvantages of having a network?

• There is an increased security risk to data 

• Malicious software can infiltrate the network and render it unusable

• Servers and switches can provide a central point of failure, resulting in users not being able to complete tasks using their computer

• Factors can impact the performance of the network such as the number of users and data on the network at one time

Local Area Network (LAN)

What is a local area network?

• A local area network (LAN) is a network which has a small geographical area (under 1 mile)

• All of the hardware is owned by the company/organisation/household using it

• LANs will use unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable, fibre optic cable or wireless connections (Wi-Fi)

Wide Area Network (WAN)

What is a wide area network?

• A wide area network (WAN) is a network which has a large geographical area (over 1 mile)

• They are a collection of LANs joined together

• The computers on a WAN are connected via routers

• The hardware used to connect the networks together is not all owned by the company/organisation/household using it.

• Telephone lines owned by telecommunication companies are an example

• WANs will use fibre optic cable, telephone lines and satellite to connect the LANs together