Networking components
By Felix
What is a Network
A network is the connection of several computers (clients) and other online software and hardware items. These clients are usually connected via fibers to a server, or maybe virtual memory (the cloud). There are several setups of a network. And this leaflet-thingy will tell you all about them.
The Router.
There is much confusion between the router, the switch and Hub. The router "forwards data packages between clients." The router is the cleverest of the 3 central connecting units. It can deal with different packs in different ways and protect the computers on the network.
Hub
The hub receives and sends all data to all the clients on a server. It is dumbest device because of this. The other devices will ignore it and the device it is being forwarded to is the only one that acknowledges it.
Switch
A switch is a tad more intelligent than a hub. For starters, it LEARNS all the ports and IP addresses for each client, and sends it to only the waiting recipient. The reason this is more efficient than a hub, is because it stops all the unnecessary traffic from clogging up the fibers.
Server
A server holds any software for any computer to use, it creates the data packages to give to the clients.
Ring Network
A ring network is the network in which everything runs in a circle. This means its highly inefficient. This is because all the data is travelling in one direction, so not only all the computers receives the data if the client sending it wants to get it to a client behind him, but perhaps all the data could get clogged up if another client is downloading something.
Bus Network
A bus network topology is a network architecture in which a set of clients are connected via a shared communications line/cables, called a bus. There are several common instances of the bus architecture, including one in the motherboard of most computers.
Star Network
The star network is a popular network and the safest of the three. The star network consists of multiple clients connected to a central server. There are several pros to the star network. The first is that there is no clogging of data in the cables, since everyone has a private connection to the server. Other pros include that if one client loses connection to the network, then the others stay connected. The main con of this is that if the server breaks down, then they all lose connection the the network.
LAN.
A LAN or Local Area Network, is a network that connects clients in a small proximity of each other. The LAN normally isn't connected to the internet, and usually has its own personal programs for each computer. For example, the tills at a supermarket are connected via a LAN.
WAN
WAN, a Worldwide Area Network or as many people call it, the internet, is a network consisting of multiple networks joined together in a