Task 1
A computer network is a group of two or more computer systems linked. There are many types of networks including: LAN’s, WAN’s, and PAN’s. The following characteristics are used to categorize different types of network: topology, protocol and architecture.
Network Types
Description
Technologies, Standards and Protocols
LAN
Otherwise known as local area network, describes a system where it is self contained. This network is usually connected to a WAN (Wired Area Network) or connected to the internet. This shows that a simple LAN set up is just many devices that are connected to a network hub, so they have internet access. The hub is also connected to a file server so the devices can download the files on the server. To give an example of LAN wouldn’t be as difficult as schools, colleges and even places of work use these. A student/employee logs on to a pc using a username and password and is then able to browse the internet and look at their saved files. The coverage of a LAN will cover the required need on a building/work place. The mediums that are used to connect this would be cat 5/6 cable or a coaxial cable.

LAN uses:

Topologies –
Bus
Ring - would typically use token passing
Star
Mesh
LAN uses TCP/IP as its main protocol this because it is a modern and it works with ease. When the data is sent through the internet, the data leaves the host PC in digital form. But for it to be able to travel down the line it has to be converted into an analogue format. Once it reaches the destination device, it then has to be converted back to digital form. All of this is done by the use of a protocol stack, also known as transfer control protocol/ internet protocol. This is the default protocol now used, even some network operating systems that have their own protocols support TCP/IP. Its main purpose is to connect hosts to the internet.

Token passing uses tokens, also known as a series of bits. These bits grant a device permission to transmit data over the network. Whatever device holds the token has the power to put data onto the network. When the data transmission is finished the device will pass the token onto the next device in the network topology. System rules in the protocol can dictate how long each device can hold the token, it can also create a new token if the previous one isn’t circulating.

WAN
Initialised for Wide Area Network, describes a distance based network, which may connect many sites or organisations.
An example of a wide is network would be a restaurant franchise e.g. McDonalds using the same network but spread nationally.
The coverage of a wide can go internationally via satellite.
The mediums used to connect this are microwaves, satellite and coaxial.
WAN uses:

Topologies –
Ring - would typically use token passing
Star
Mesh
Tiered
WAN work very similarly to the Local Area networks. However rather than connecting locally to nodes, the topologies are used as locations for example in LAN two connection points can be PC’s