SPECIFICATION STATEMENTS (AQA 5521)
Describe the characteristics and relative advantages of networks and stand-alone environments.
Describe the difference between a LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN) and a WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)
Describe the required elements of network environments including hardware, software, communications and topology.
WAN and LAN.
How WIDE IS WIDE ?
There are a range of useful sites for NETWORKS.
For all the necessary information on NETWORKS, I recommend that you visit THIS SITE, by the Florida Centre for Instructional Technology, which features what it calls: "An Educator's Guide to School Networks". Recommended.
It features the following chapters, which tell you all you need to know:
1. What is a Network ?
2. Network Protocols
3. Hardware
4. Cabling
5. Topology
6. Software
A student of mine, who I shall call BB passed on this site, produced by THE SHULERS. It has some good resources with illustrations on various types of networks and IP addresses.
Doing work on the INTERNET ? This is a global network. If you're lucky, you may be able to get BROADBAND. This site shows how it works.
One exercise perhaps with a SPREADSHEET could be to compare prices for BROADBAND over the course of a year to see what the best deal is. There are several websites which allow you to compare packages (on price terms at least...)