Types of Network (AQA GCSE Computer Science): Revision Note
Exam code: 8525
Networks
What are the different types of networks?
A network is two of more devices connected together with the purpose of sharing resources
There are three main types of network
Local Area Network (LAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Personal Area Network (PAN)
For the exam it is important to know the advantage and disadvantages of each type of network as well as the advantages and disadvantages of networks as a whole
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
Types of Network
What is a LAN?
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)
What is a WAN?
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
What is a PAN?
A personal area network (PAN) is a network that is used for transmission of data between devices in close proximity
A PAN has a very short range (10 metres)
Bluetooth is the most widely used PAN
Typical examples of devices which make use of a PAN are:
Wireless headphones
Mobile phones
Tablet
Laptop etc.
Worked Example
(a) State one wireless method used to connect devices on a Personal Area Network (PAN) [1]
(b) A travel agent has offices in two sites that are 10 miles apart. Describe two differences between a Local Area Network (LAN) and a Wide Area Network (WAN) [2]
Answers
(a) Bluetooth
(b) Max two marks from
LANs cover relatively small geographical areas // WANs usually cover a wide geographic area
LANs often owned and controlled/managed by a single person/organisation // WANs often under collective/distributed ownership
WANs are (usually) several LANs connected together
WANs (usually) have a much larger number of devices/users than LANs
LAN has a lower latency // WAN has higher latency
WANs are (usually) slower than LANs
The cost-per-byte for transmission is much higher on a WAN
LANs and WANs use different protocols
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