Topic 3: Networks
Objectives: |
3.1 Networks
List of Objectives (pptx)
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Network Fundamentals
 Review activity for quizzes, tests, Paper I (Exam)
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3.1.1 | Identify different types of networks.
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3.1.2 | Outline the importance of standards in the construction of networks.
See Network Fundamentals 3.1.2
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3.1.3 | Describe how communication over networks is broken down into different layers.
See Network Fundamentals 3.1.3
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3.1.4 | Identify the technologies required to provide a VPN.
See Network Fundamentals 3.1.4
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3.1.5 | Evaluate the use of a VPN.
See Network Fundamentals 3.1.5
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Data Transmission
Review activity for quizzes, tests, Paper I (Exam)
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3.1.6 | Define the terms: protocol, data packet.
See Data Transmission 3.1.6
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3.1.7 | Explain why protocols are necessary.
See Data Transmission 3.1.7
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3.1.8 | Explain why the speed of data transmission across a network can vary.
See Data Transmission 3.1.8
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3.1.9 | Explain why compression of data is often necessary when transmitting
across a network.
See Data Transmission 3.1.9
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3.1.10 | Outline the characteristics of different transmission media.
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3.1.11 | Explain how data is transmitted by packet switching.
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Wireless Networking
Review activity for quizzes, tests, Paper I (Exam)
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3.1.12 | Outline the advantages and disadvantages of wireless networks.
See Wireless Networking 3.1.12
Advantages of wireless networks
- Convenience - The wireless nature of such networks allows users to access network resources from nearly any convenient location within their primary networking environment (a home or office). With the increasing saturation of laptop-style computers, this is particularly relevant.
- Mobility - With the emergence of public wireless networks, users can access the internet even outside their normal work environment. Most chain coffee shops, for example, offer their customers a wireless connection to the internet at little or no cost.
- Productivity - Users connected to a wireless network can maintain a nearly constant affiliation with their desired network as they move from place to place. For a business, this implies that an employee can potentially be more productive as his or her work can be accomplished from any convenient location.
- Deployment - Initial setup of an infrastructure-based wireless network requires little more than a single access point. Wired networks, on the other hand, have the additional cost and complexity of actual physical cables being run to numerous locations (which can even be impossible for hard-to-reach locations within a building).
- Expandability - Wireless networks can serve a suddenly-increased number of clients with the existing equipment. In a wired network, additional clients would require additional wiring.
- Cost - Wireless networking hardware is at worst a modest increase from wired counterparts. This potentially increased cost is almost always more than outweighed by the savings in cost and labor associated to running physical cables.
Disadvantages of wireless networks
- Security - To combat security issues, wireless networks may choose to utilize some of the various encryption technologies available. Some of the more commonly utilized encryption methods, however, are known to have weaknesses that a dedicated adversary can compromise. Novice home users may make themselves vulnerable by not utilizing proper security precautions when setting up a wireless network at home.
- Range - The typical range of a common 802.11g network with standard equipment is on the order of tens of meters. While sufficient for a typical home, it will be insufficient in a larger structure. To obtain additional range, repeaters or additional access points will have to be purchased. Costs for these items can add up quickly.
- Reliability - Like any radio frequency transmission, wireless networking signals are subject to a wide variety of interference.
- Speed - The speed on most wireless networks (typically 1-54 Mbps) is far slower than even the slowest common wired networks (100Mbps up to 1 Gbps).
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3.1.13 | Describe the hardware and software components of a wireless network
See Wireless Networking 3.1.13
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3.1.14 | Describe the characteristics of wireless networks.
See Wireless Networking 3.1.14
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3.1.15 | Describe the different methods of network security.
See Wireless Networking 3.1.15
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3.1.16 | Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each method of network security.
See Wireless Networking 3.1.16
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Networking References and Resources
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