Computer Networks
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit the students should be able to:
- describe a modem and its purpose;
- state the difference between analogue data and digital data;
- explain the need for conversion between analogue and digital data;
- identify the advantages and disadvantages of using common network environments such as the Internet;
- describe what is meant by the terms user id and password, stating their purpose and use;
- identify a variety of methods of communication such as fax, e-mail, bulletin boards, and tele/video conferencing;
- define the terms Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network and Wide Area Network (WAN);
- describe the difference between LANs, WLANs and WANs, identifying their main characteristics;
- identify the different network topologies (including star, ring, bus and hybrid);
- describe the characteristics and purpose of common network environments, such as intranets and the Internet;
- describe common network devices (including hubs, routers, bridges, switches and proxy servers)
- discuss the problems of confidentiality and security of data, including problems surrounding common network environments;
- identify the need for encryption, authentication techniques, including the use of User identification and passwords, when using common network environments such as the Internet.