1. Unit 1.4 Wired and Wireless Networks Lesson 1

2. Big Picture Consider this:
Why do we think it is a good idea to network computers together?
What did we hope to gain from networking computers together?
Watch video:

3. Learning Objectives Understand why we network computers together
Understand what is meant by a LAN
Understand what is meant by a WAN
Understand what is meant by a client-server network
Understand what is meant by a peer-to-peer network

4. Engagement Activity What is the biggest network that we use?
How many networks do you think you use in a day?

5. Key Words
Network
LAN
WAN
Client-server
Peer-to-peer

6. Types of network How are the following types of network structured?
LAN
WAN
Client-server
Peer-to-peer

7. LAN vs WAN LAN (Local area network)
Computers are connected together over a small geographical area such as a single building or a single site
E.gs of LANs
Home network
School network
Network in a shop

8. LAN vs WAN WAN (Wide area network)
Computers are connected over a large geographical area. This could be several buildings/sites, town wide, county wide or even country wide.
The biggest WAN would be a global collection of networks (known as The Internet)

9. LAN vs WAN
LAN has its own infrastructure of cabling and network hardware due to distance and practicalities
WAN uses external hardware and external infrastructure e.g. use of satellite, phone lines or The Internet.

10. Activity 1a Identify 5 daily activities that you use a network for
Could you carry our these activities without the use of a network. How would you try and do that?
Are there any activities that you cannot do, or would need to change considerable without the use of a network?

11. Activity 1b
Complete the worksheet by filling in the characteristics and functions of a LAN and a WAN
You may need to do some further research to complete the sheet

12. Client Server vs Peer-Peer
There are two ways of setting up a network to share data and services
Client Server
The network relies on a central server
All clients (devices) request services from the server (e.g. print services / file services)
Additional hardware would be needed e.g. high end powerful servers

13. Client Server vs Peer-Peer
All computers have equal status
Each device can act as a client and a server
All devices can request and provide network services
No additional hardware / software needed to set up this type of network

14. Client Server vs Peer-Peer
All files can be stored centrally on a Client-server
Workers can access files from any computer
All computers can update central databases
On Peer-Peer all files are stored on their own computers
Users have to log-in to the same computer every time

15. Client Server vs Peer-Peer
Backups are easily managed on a Client-Server as these can be done centrally from the File Server
All data is backed up in one go
Individual computers do not need to be backed up
With Peer-Peer all computers are responsible for backing up their own files

16. Client Server vs Peer-Peer
Centralised security on Client-Server – antivirus and firewall can be installed and configured from a central location
Peer-Peer – individual security may need to be installed on individual machines

17. Client Server vs Peer-Peer
Peer-Peer is appropriate for a small number of computers and a low traffic environment
Client-server is useful for if there are lots of computers and it will be a high traffic environment.

18. Activity 2
Complete the worksheet by ticking the correct box(es) to show whether the statements apply to a client-server, a peer-to-peer or both networks

19. Plenary
Pair testing
Use revision cards to test your partner to find out what they know about the structure of networks

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