One cable breaks
Two offices. In the first, one cable is cut by a builder and everyone loses their connection. In the second, one cable is cut and only one desk goes quiet.
The difference is the layout. Layouts also decide where an attacker can listen, and where one guard can watch.
Today you meet eight layouts and judge each for security.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Network | Computers and devices linked so they can share data. |
| Topology | The layout of a network: how its devices are joined. |
| Node | Any device on a network. |
| Backbone | The main cable that joins the parts of a network. |
| Switch | A device that connects computers in a building and passes data between them. |
| Token | A special message passed round a ring. Only the holder may send. |
| Single point of failure | One part that, if it fails, stops everything. |
| Server | A computer that gives services to other computers. |
| Client | A computer that asks a server for a service. |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can name eight network layouts, say how each is joined, and judge the security strengths and weaknesses of each.
Starter: the earlier lessons
Have a go
Starter: the earlier lessons
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Cycle 1: bus, star and ring
Bus: all devices share one backbone cable. It is cheap, but one break stops all, and anyone on the cable can listen.
Star: every device joins one central switch. It is the layout of most offices. One broken cable affects one device. The switch is a single point of failure, but also one place to guard and watch.
Ring: each device joins two neighbours in a circle. Data goes round one way. A break can stop the ring.
Check: bus, star, ring
Have a go
Check: bus, star, ring
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.