Activity 6

1.

MDO/MDF: This distributes the internet to various wireless modems. The

modem can now send that connection to the rest of the network.
Wireless Modem: This receives the distributed internet from the MDF. It then
distributes to the rest of its network.
Router: A device which forwards data packets to the appropriate parts of a
computer network.
Switch: a device that filters and forwards packets between LAN segments
Server: A machine which manages access to a centralized resource or service in
a network.
Fibre: A high-speed data transmission medium. It contains tiny glass or plastic
filaments that carry light beams. Digital data is transmitted through the cable via
rapid pulses of light. The receiving end of a fiber optic transmission translates
the light pulses into binary values, which can be read by a computer.

2. A network has many prime functions such as

- To share one internet connection among multiple computers e.g via NAT
- To share resources: A network allows computers to share not only files securely
and quickly but applications, hardware, an internet connection with other
computers etc.
- Security: A network provides greater security for all the computers connected.
- Communication: Networks gives the ability to communicate between people
(email, live discussions etc.) and between processes (such as between industrial
computers).

-Guaranteeing full access to information for a specified group of people

(networked databases).

3. The topology used for the network is a wired star LAN setup. The LAN setup is
connected with a switch (that there is an MDF (Main Distribution Facility), which
is labelled as the main office, this is connected to the internet with a fibre
cable that has a speed of 1Gb/s. However there are a variety of fibre cables and
not all are locked at 1Gb/s. It is then connected with fibre to wing 1 (Math), wing
2 (English), wing 3 (Science) and wing 4 (computing), which all have a variety of
devices connected to them such as PCs, phones, routers etc. The Pcs are
connected by an Ethernet cable with a speed of 14Mb/s or 2mb/s all going
through a switch which then goes through a Router. Ethernet cables are
commonly blue and do again with different speeds.
Advantages:

Star topology is one of the advantages because it gives a much better

performance as it doesnt have to give a signal to every workstation, a
signal is sent and then it reaches its intended destination, it is dependent
on the capacity of the central hub.
The network setup at the school makes it easy to connect to new nodes or
devices, using star topology allows for easy addition and removal of nodes
without this affecting the rest of the network.
The failure of one Node link, or device does not jeopardise the system as it
can easily be removed and another put in its place. It is also easy to find
the problem, trouble shoot it and fix it.
Having a central hub allows for easy management since all traffic is
running through this. It allows for ease of access and you can control and
monitor the network

Disadvantages:

The Star topology is limited to the capacity of the central device. Load too
many nodes and overload it may crash the system.
When everything is dependent on the central hub, it puts the hub and
network at a disadvantage because it means that if the central hub fails,
so does all the networks, nodes and devices.
The inclusion and need for a hub, router or switch increases the price of
the overall cost for the setup of the network.

4.

Fibre

Transmission
speed
1-10gb

Distance

Limitations

Fibre can go up to
2km

Since fibre cables

are 30mm a bend
in the cable can
lead to some
signal loss.

Wireless

300mb

Ethernet

10-100 megabits

Depending on the
adapter can reach
up to, a stock
antenna has a
range of 20-40 m
Ethernet can go
up to 100m (very
expensive) stock
is around 5-10m

Wireless can be
blocked by walls
and speed/signal
is lost. Packet loss
Distance
limitations,
limited mobility
with Ethernet
ports etc.

5. LimeWire:
LimeWire was a peer to peer media streaming site shut down on October 27,
2010. LimeWire had been downloaded more than 200 million times before it was
shut down under a Court order. It was targeted by the U.S Federal Court system
and the RIAA. The prosecution team stated that LimeWire Copyright
infringement, engaged in unfair competition, and induced others to commit
copyright infringement. However the RIAA didnt stop there but attempted to
sue LimeWire for $75 trillion dollars in damages. However, in retaliation, the
international hacker collective, Anonymous, executed a DOS attack on the RIAAs
website. These type of sites are illegal, because it is stated that the distribution
or sharing of copyrighted content without authorization is illegal under law
therefore these sites pose the risk of prosecution if you are caught accessing
them.