OCR GCSE Computer Science

Local Area Networks (LANs)

1.3 Computer Networks, Connections and Protocols

1.3.1a Networks and Topologies (Local Area Networks)

✔ Types of network: LAN (Local Area Network)

✔ Factors that affect the performance of networks
✔ The different roles of computers in a client-server and a peer-to-peer network
✔ The hardware needed to connect stand-alone computers into a Local Area Network: Wireless access points, Routers, Switches, NIC
(Network Interface Controller/Card) & Transmission media
✔ Star and Mesh network topologies

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Starter Activity
3 minutes

What is a computer network and what

benefits do they bring?

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Learning Habits

Which ‘Learning Habits’ we will need to make use of to be a success in this lesson?

Noticing details Adapting : Reasoning:

Reflecting and making changes Thinking rigorously, methodically
and giving explanations.
Empathising…
…with feelings and views Effective use of time
Questioning:
Asking questions to get below
Listening… Imagining… the surface
…to understand …how things could be and seeing a range of
possibilities Distilling…
…what you have learnt and what you
Collaboration: Meta Learning: need to learn
Working effectively with Talking about how you have been
others learning Imitation:
Picking up good habits from
Independence: Managing distractions… others
Working effectively alone …and sustaining concentration
Capitalising:
Perseverance: Using resources purposefully
Overcoming frustration and difficulty
Planning…
…your learning in advance

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Lesson Objectives
Lesson Objectives
• To understand what a computer network is.
• To understand what a Local Area Network is.
• To understand the benefits and drawbacks of a LAN.
• To understand the devices required to form a network.
• To understand the different ways a network can be set up (network types and
topologies).
Success Criteria
• ALL: To be able to explain the benefits and drawbacks of a LAN, the devices required
to set up a LAN and the various ways a LAN can be organised.
• MOST: To also be able to explain the purpose of each network device.
• SOME: To also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the various network types and
topologies.
Literacy – Key Words
LAN Local Area Network – One which covers a small geographical area and whose equipment
is owned by the organisation/individual.
Node The name given to any device attached to a network.

Switch A device, which connects the computers in a local area network together that is considered
intelligent, as it will route data to the correct destination.

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Local Area Networks (LANs)

What is a Computer Network?

Two or more computers connected together to

share information and resources.

(this can involve physical or wireless connections, or both)

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Local Area Networks (LANs)

A school network

An office network

A home network

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Local Area Networks (LANs)

What is a LAN?

• A LAN is a Local Area Network.

• It is a connection of computers and devices.

• Each device on a network is known as a node (e.g.

computer, printer, etc.)

• A LAN is confined to one site.

– It’s therefore relatively small
– All network infrastructure is the property of the organisation
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Local Area Network (LAN)

Advantages
• It enables digital communication between people
• It enables the sharing of digital information
• It enables the sharing of peripheral devices such as printers and
scanners
• It enables computers to be updated with the latest software from
a central point
• It enables distributed processing – the ability for a single
program to be run simultaneously at various computers.

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Local Area Network (LAN)

Disadvantages
• It requires a bit of ‘expertise’ to install and maintain a large
network which can be costly.
• There are a number of security issues from unauthorised access
to data
– Measures to secure a network include:
• Passwords – strong passwords use a range of character types
• Not allowing users to install software
• With wireless access, use encryption
• Changing passwords frequently

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Factors Affecting Network Performance

There are a number of different factors that could affect the
performance of a network, and you need to know about these for
your exam.
Factor Issue
Bandwidth Bandwidth describes the carrying capacity of the network data transfer media. A network
that is connected with copper wires will have less bandwidth than one connected with fibre
optic cables. The copper wire network will therefore have slower data transfer speeds.

Network Setup / Networks can be setup in different configurations, known as topologies, and this can affect
performance. For example a Bus topology uses a single data cable where data travels in
Topology both directions and is therefore susceptible to data collisions, which slows the network.

Traffic & Related to bandwidth, if too many users are using the network at the same time, more and
more bandwidth will be utilised to support multiple simultaneous data transfers. This will
Concurrent slow down the network.
Users

Interference & Certain electronic devices can cause network interference, which can corrupt data as it
travels across the network. As this data will need to be resent, this process takes time,
Transmission resulting in slower network speeds.
Errors

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Local Area Networks (LANs)

What is needed to make a LAN?

Networking
Equipment

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Local Area Networks (LANs)

+
• At least two computers (Nodes)
• Each having a NIC – network interface card
(either wired or wireless)
– The NICs convert the data signals from the nodes into
data signals that can be transferred across the network.

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Local Area Networks (LANs)

• Data Transfer Media

– Wires
– Wireless Technology

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Local Area Networks (LANs)

If the network is connected without wires, a wireless
access point would be required

Wireless technology has many advantages over wired networks:

• No need to do building work

• Add new node with ease
• General public can access
network / internet if allowed

But there are drawbacks:

• There can be performance issues

• …and security issues too!
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Local Area Networks (LANs)

If the network is connected with wires, a hub or a switch may be required:

O
Hub R Swi
tch
A device that connects nodes together. A device that connects nodes together.

An intelligent device that can sends data to

Not intelligent – data is sent to all nodes
the nodes that the data is intended for.
across the whole of the network.

Cheap devices – USB hubs useful in home This reduces network traffic because
computer installations. making the network run faster.

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Local Area Networks (LANs)

If the LAN is to connect to the Internet, a Router will be
needed.

Routers work by sending data between networks (e.g. over the

internet)

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Networks Types
Two Types of Network in a LAN:

Peer-to-Peer Client-Server

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Network types: Peer-to-Peer

• On a P2P network, all computers have the
same status.

• Data transfer may be very slow because of

– data collisions
– shared processor power

• Only really suitable for small and low

traffic networks.

• This is a very popular design for a home

network

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Network types: Client-Server

On a Client-Server network, at least one computer is designated as a
server, which will serve client machines that connect to it.

This usually needs to be high spec.

• It offers services such as software and data to client PCs.

• It manages the traffic on the network.
• Records client machine activities.
• Provides network security.
• Clients will often have to sign in and so their identification is
known, enabling certain rights to be given to certain people.
• Large networks may have many servers to handle the
increased network demand.

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Network Topologies
Different ways that LANs can be set up:

Bus

Ring

Mesh

Star

…these network setups are known

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Network Topology
• The topology is the way in which a network is
laid out.

• The topology of a network affects:

– cost,
– performance,
– ease of set-up.

…lets see how…

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Bus topology
• There is only one cable which all nodes are
connected to
• It is therefore very cheap due to little cabling
But:
• Because data travels both ways along one cable,
data collides which slows the network
• If the cable has a
fault the whole
network may suffer
• Only really useful
over small areas
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Ring topology
– Again, only one cable
– But this time data travels
in only one direction
– This means no collisions

BUT:

Again if the cable breaks then the whole network may go

down.

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Mesh topology
• This is a fully connected network
• Every node is connected to all others
• This means that if a cable breaks or if there is heavy traffic
on one area, there are other routes for the data to take

BUT:

• It can be a very expensive set up due to the cabling

required
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Star topology
• All cables connect to a hub or a switch and
therefore data doesn’t share one cable
• This results in fewer data collisions and therefore
a fast network

BUT – the most expensive topology as it requires the

most cable

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