Networking Concepts

Front

What is a WAN?

Back

A wide area network (WAN) is a network that is spread over a wide geographical area, covering more than one site, or even across a country or the world.

Front

Who typically uses a WAN?

Back

Organisations with more than one office or branch, such as banks, use a WAN to communicate and share data between the head office and sub-offices or branches.

Front

How is communication done in a WAN?

Back

Communication in a WAN is done through national telephone infrastructures or via wireless transmission.

Front

What is the internet in terms of network types?

Back

The internet is essentially a huge, international WAN.

Front

What is a LAN?

Back

A LAN is a network that is geographically confined to one building or site, such as those used by small businesses, schools, or homes.

Front

Who owns and maintains a LAN?

Back

LANs are owned and maintained by the organisation.

Front

What factors affect network performance?

Back

Network performance can be affected by the number of devices, bandwidth of the transmission medium, type of network traffic, network latency, and the number of transmission errors.

Front

What is bandwidth?

Back

Bandwidth is a measure of the amount of data that the medium can transfer over a given period of time.

Front

What is the typical bandwidth of twisted copper wire?

Back

Up to 10 gigabits (Gb) per second.

Front

What is the typical bandwidth of fibre-optic cable?

Back

Up to 100 gigabits (Gb) per second.