Pass ECDL41 European Computer Driving Licence Module 1 – Concepts of IT Chapter 1.4 Information Networks P 36

Pass ECDL42 Local Area Network ZComputers which are linked by cabling in the same room or building ZA server controls the network and stores data which is used by other users on the network (clients),

Pass ECDL43 Networks ZAdvantages, Printers, scanners etc can be shared, Work is stored on the server and can be accessed from any of the client computers, Users can communicate and exchange data, Software is loaded once onto the server rather than on individual computers ZDisadvantages, Security measures are needed to stop users accessing programs and data, Can be complicated to set up and requires support from skilled technicians, Faults affecting the server will affect the client computers

Pass ECDL44 Wide Area Networks ZA WAN connects computers in different geographical areas ZThese are connected via the telephone system ZUsed by multinational companies to communicate between different countries ZThe world’s largest WAN is the Internet!

Pass ECDL45 The Telephone Network in Computing ZA modem is required for a computer to communicate over telephone lines ZData is converted from digital to analogue and then back again ZThe speed at which data is transmitted and/or received is measured in bits per second ZThe current standard is 56,000 bits per second

Pass ECDL46 Public Switched Telephone Network ZPSTN for short! ZThe international telephone system used for making day- to-day telephone calls ZIt is the main reason why computers have become so popular in recent years!

Pass ECDL47 Integrated Services Digital Network ZISDN for short ZHas a greater range of frequencies than PSTN ZAt least as twice as fast as PSTN ZTypical transfer rate of 128,000 bits per second ZData is transmitted simultaneously ZSpecial connection and modem required

Pass ECDL48 Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line ZADSL for short ZUses telephone lines to transmit data at very fast speeds (512,000 bits per second) ZADSL modem and splitters required to separate telephone signal from the ADSL signal ZYou can still make telephone calls when surfing the web!

Pass ECDL49 Intranets and Extranets ZIntranet is similar to the Internet but is internal to an organisation ZUsers access the Intranet through a user name and password ZEnables users to share information and communicate via electronic messaging ZAn Extranet can be accessed from outside the Intranet by authorised users via a user name and password

Pass ECDL410 The Internet ZHuge network of computers connected together (including yours) ZMinimum requirements are a 486 processor with Windows 95, modem, an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a telephone line ZThe ISP provides access to the Internet through their servers ZMany ISPs do not charge as users will normally pay for the access via their telephone bills ZMany ISPs offer flat-rate access at fixed cost (e.g. AOL)

Pass ECDL411 E-Commerce ZGrowth of the Internet in the last few years has been phenomenal ZVirtually any organisation has their own web site ZVirtually anything can be bought or sold over the Internet ZAll banks offer online banking – you can access your bank account 24/7 ZThe Internet is available 365 days a year – it never closes!

Pass ECDL412 Purchasing Over The Internet ZYou have to enter your name, address and credit/debit card details to purchase goods/services ZMost sites will offer a secure site which will scramble your details so it can’t be intercepted by thieves ZSecure sites will start with the prefix - look out for the padlock symbol at the bottom of your screen ZYou have the same consumer rights as buying from a shop

Pass ECDL413 Purchasing Over The Internet ZAdvantages, You can shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, You can shop from the comfort of your own home, You can surf the web to find the best bargains, Many dealers will offer discounted prices for shopping online ZDisadvantages, You cannot see or try goods before purchasing, You may have to pay extra for delivery, You cannot speak to a person for sales advice, There is some degree of risk giving out your debit/credit card details over the Internet

Pass ECDL414 Alternative Payment Methods ZYou can use online services to send money, as opposed to sending cheques ZNOCHEX ( lets you send and receive money from anyone with an address and a debit cardwww.nochex.co.uk ZPaypal ( offers a similar servicewww.paypal.com

Pass ECDL415 ZBy far the most popular use of the Internet Z messages arrive almost instantaneously, anywhere in the world ZThe same message can be sent to more than one person at the same time ZIt is very easy to reply to and forward messages ZDocuments or photos can be sent as attachments Z software is required or you can access webmail providers online (e.g. Hotmail, Yahoo, Lycos etc)