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GCSE Computer Science/Paper 1/Networks and topologies

LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network)

Types of network: LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network)

1.3.1 Networks and topologies

Practise exam questions

Networks and topologies — Note 1 of 10

What you need to know

Computer networks allow devices to share data and resources. The two main types are LANs (Local Area Networks) covering small areas and WANs (Wide Area Networks) covering large geographical areas.

What to know

  • The Internet is the largest example of a WAN.
  • LANs typically connect a small number of devices; WANs connect many more.
  • WANs are usually slower than LANs and have a higher cost per byte for transmission.

Key terms

Computer Network

A collection of connected devices that can communicate and share data and resources.

LANLocal Area Network

Covers a small geographical area (e.g. a school, home, office). Often owned and managed by a single person or organisation.

WANWide Area Network

Covers a wide geographical area (e.g. across countries). Often made up of several LANs connected together.

Computers are geographically remote AND communication medium is NOT owned by the organisation (uses third-party infrastructure like phone lines/internet).

Key LAN characteristic

Uses its own/dedicated hardware (e.g. switches, cables) — no external/third-party infrastructure needed.

Exam technique

  • Tip:In comparison questions, mention GEOGRAPHICAL AREA, OWNERSHIP, SPEED, and COST as key differences between LAN and WAN.
  • Tip:When asked for a characteristic of a LAN (not a benefit), say 'uses dedicated/own hardware' or 'computers use MAC addresses within the LAN'. Do NOT give a benefit like 'cheaper'.
  • Mistake:Defining WAN as just 'a network over a wide area' — you must also mention it uses third-party infrastructure/is not owned by one organisation.

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Back to Networks and topologies

Revise another OCR GCSE topic: Wired and wireless networks, protocols and layers

Networks and topologies

Note 1 of 10

  1. 1LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network)
  2. 2Factors that affect the performance of networks
  3. 3The different roles of computers in a client-server and a peer-to peer network
  4. 4Wireless access points, Routers, Switches, NIC (Network Interface Controller/Card), Transmission media
  5. 5DNS (Domain Name Server), Hosting, The Cloud, Web servers and clients
  6. 6DNS (Domain Name Server)
  7. 7Hosting
  8. 8The cloud
  9. 9Web servers and clients
  10. 10Star and Mesh network topologies
Topic overview

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