a) A computer network is a group of interconnected computers that can communicate with each other and share resources such as data, files, printers, and internet access. An example of a computer network is a local area network (LAN) in an office building, where multiple computers are connected to a central server.
b) 3 types of computer networks are:
1. LAN (Local Area Network): A LAN is a network that is confined to a small geographic area, such as a building or a campus. It is often used to connect computers within an office or a home.
2. WAN (Wide Area Network): A WAN is a network that covers a broad area, such as a city, country, or even globally. The internet is an example of a WAN that connects computers and networks worldwide.
3. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network): A WLAN is a type of LAN that uses wireless technology to connect devices instead of physical cables. Wi-Fi networks are a common example of WLANs.
c) 4 types of network topologies are:
1. Bus Topology: In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single central cable, called a bus. Information is transmitted along the bus, and each device receives the data but only the intended recipient processes it.
2. Star Topology: In a star topology, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch. The central hub acts as a mediator to transmit data between devices.
3. Ring Topology: In a ring topology, each device is connected to two other devices, forming a circular pathway for data to travel. Data travels in one direction around the ring until it reaches its destination.
4. Mesh Topology: In a mesh topology, every device is connected to every other device in the network. This provides multiple paths for data to travel, increasing reliability and fault tolerance.
Diagrams for each network topology can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JSl8PGY4U5lztO1aJr8jMvBNW72u5SYM/view?usp=sharing
a) Define the term computer network using examples
b) Identify and distinguish 3 types of computer network
c) Identify and distinguish 4 network topologies. use diagrams to illustrate your answer
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