Classroom Notes: 3.1 Storing and transferring data on a network

Data is a collection of raw, unorganized facts, numbers, or symbols. Data doesn't tell a story.
Example: 12, 14, 11, 9

Processed data is called Information, it is the data that has been cleaned up, organized, and given context so that it actually means something to us.
Example: If we organize above data, we get: "The soccer team scored 12, 14, 11, and 9 goals in their last four games." Now it makes sense!

A Server is a powerful computer that provides services to a network its connected to, some of the services are mentioned below:

• Storage Service: Provides data, files, and programs to other computers.
• Web Service: Hosts the websites which can be accessed by users.
• Messaging Service: Enables users to send and receive messages.
• Streaming Service: Provides video and audio streaming to users.
• Mail Servers: Provides email service to the users.

We have two main categories of network connections they are: Wired (using physical cables) and Wireless (using invisible radio waves that pass through the air).

Wired Connections:

• Copper Cables (Twisted Pair): These cables send data using electrical signals. They are great for connecting local networks.
• Fiber-Optic Cables: These are cables made of tiny strands of glass. Instead of electricity, they use pulses of light to send data. Because light travels incredibly fast, fiber cables are used to connect WAN, countries across the ocean floor.

Wireless Connections:

• Bluetooth (BT): A short-range wireless connection that uses radio waves and operates at 2.402-2.480 GHz range. It's perfect for connecting things right next to you, like wireless headphones to your phone or a mouse to your laptop.
• Wi-Fi: A medium-range wireless connection that uses radio waves and operates at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. Used to connect devices on WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).
• Cellular Network: A long-range wireless connection that uses radio waves and operates at 2G to 6G. This is what our phones use.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a network of about 30 satellites orbiting high above the Earth.

Smartphones and car GPS units use tiny receivers that catch signals from at least four satellites. By timing how long each signal takes to reach Earth, they calculate your exact spot on the map.

Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can travel through a network connection in one second. It is usually measured in Megabits per second (Mbps).

If we have low bandwidth, only a little bit of data can travel through at a time. Whereas if we have high bandwidth, huge amounts of data can rush through all at once.