Classroom Notes: 3.2 Types of network
1) What is a computer network? List the types of computer networks.
Computer Network: A group of computers/devices connected to share information.
Types of Networks:
Types of Networks:
- PAN: Personal Area Network (very small, around one person).
- LAN: Local Area Network (within a building or school).
- WAN: Wide Area Network (large areas, like the Internet).
2) Types of network connections?
Wired connections use physical cables to transmit data, primarily using Copper or Fiber Optic technology.
- Copper Cables (Twisted Pair): Uses electrical signals through twisted copper wires.
Speed & Distance: Copper cables offer a speed ranging up to 10 Gbps, but is limited to short distances (up to 100 meters) due to signal degradation and electrical interference. - Fiber Optic Cables: Transmits data using pulses of light through ultra-thin glass or plastic strands.
Speed & Distance: Fiber cables offer ultra-fast speeds of 100+ Gbps over massive distances (kilometers) with zero electrical interference.
3) What is wavelength?
The distance between two peaks of a wave.
4) What is frequency?
How many wave cycles happen in one second (measured in Hertz).
5) What is a NIC and WNIC?
- NIC: Network Interface Card (for wired connection). Helps in connecting the cable between the device and network hardware.
- WNIC: Wireless Network Interface Card (for wireless connection).
6) What is a WAP?
Wireless Access Point – lets devices connect to a network using Wi-Fi (uses radio waves).
7) Differentiate between Wi-Fi(2.4 GHz) vs Wi-Fi(5 GHz) vs BT
| Feature | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz | Bluetooth Wireless Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range | 50 m indoors 300 m outdoors |
15 m indoors 100 m outdoors |
10 m indoors or outdoors |
| Speed | 200 Mbps | 1300 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| Ability to go through walls/objects | Good | Not as good as 2.4 GHz | Good within a short distance |
| Hardware needed in device | WNIC | WNIC | Bluetooth Wireless Technology transmitter (internal) or adapter (plug in) |
8) What is a cellular network? (Base Station and Cell)
Cellular Network:
- The area is divided into cells, each covered by a base station (tower).
- Towers connect mobiles to the network using radio signals.
- As you move, your phone switches smoothly from one tower to another so calls and data continue without interruption.
9) Differentiate between generations of cellular network?
| Feature | 3G | 4G | 5G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year it was first used | 2001 | 2009 | 2020 |
| Average transmission speed | 3 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 100+ Mbps, with max speeds of up to 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps) |
| Approximate time taken to download a 2-hour movie | 2 hours | 6 minutes | 3.6 seconds |