Ten computers, one printer
A small design firm has ten staff. Each has a laptop. There is one printer, one set of client files and one internet line.
Without a way to join them, staff carry files on USB sticks and queue at the printer. Work gets lost.
What would you build to fix this?
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure | all the hardware, software and links an organisation needs to run its digital work |
| Network | computers and devices joined together so they can share data |
| Packet | a small piece of data sent over a network |
| Server | a computer that gives a service to other computers |
| Switch | a device that joins devices on one network |
| Router | a device that joins networks together and passes packets between them |
| Firewall | a device or program that blocks unwanted traffic |
| Centralised | kept in one place that everyone can reach |
| Collaboration | people working together on the same thing |
| Scalable | able to grow when more devices or people join |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can explain what network infrastructure is for, give an example of how it is used, and describe its benefits in correct technical words.
Starter
Have a go
Starter
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
What is network infrastructure?
Infrastructure is what everything else sits on. For roads it is the tarmac, the signs and the bridges.
In digital work it has four parts: hardware, software, links and services. Hardware is the switches, routers and servers. Software runs them. Links are the cables and Wi-Fi. Services are things like file sharing and email.
The purpose of each part, and an example
| Part | Its purpose | How it is applied |
|---|---|---|
| Switch | Joins devices so they can talk | Links 24 desks in an office |
| Router | Joins the office to other networks | Connects the office to the internet |
| Firewall | Controls what may enter and leave | Blocks traffic nobody asked for |
| Server | Gives shared services | Holds the client files for all staff |
| Wireless access point | Gives Wi-Fi to devices without a cable | Covers the meeting room |
| Cables and Wi-Fi | Carry the signals | Join each desk to the switch |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
The benefits to an organisation
Resource sharing: one printer and one internet line serve everyone, which saves money.
Centralised data and management: files sit on a server. Staff find the same up-to-date file. The technician updates and backs up one place.
Collaboration: staff share files and meet online.
Security: one firewall and one set of accounts control who gets in.
Scalable: a new member of staff plugs in. Nothing is rebuilt.