1 Small networks

A 1Q| In pairs, discuss these questions.

1 What is a computer network?
2 What are the benefits of using networks?

Listen to an extract from a lecture on networks and answer these

questions.
1 What does LAN stand for?

2 Where are LANs usually located?

3 What is the difference between a wired LAN and a wireless LAN.

(5) , (6)

or hub

Desktop computer Printer Desktop computer console

140
 Unit 28

2 Networking FAQs
A Look at the FAQs (i-vi) without reading the whole text. In pairs, try to answer
as many of the questions as you can.

B Read the whole text and answer these questions.

1 What does PAN stand for?

2 What is a network protocol?

3 How do you log on to an Internet Service Provider?
4 WiMAX is a type of wireless network. What used for? is it

5 What equipment do you need to set up a wireless LAN?

6 What are the advantages and disadvantages of wireless networks?

Networking FAQs
i How many types of network are there? NOTE: A router has various Ethernet ports, so you can
Networks are classified according to different criteria: connect various PCs to the router via Ethernet cables.
If you already have a hub or switch connecting a LAN,
• Geographical area: PANs (Personal Area
Networks) mobile
typically include a laptop, a you only need one cable to connect the hub to the
router.
phone and PDA; LANs cover a building; MANs
a
(Metropolitan Area Networks) cover a campus or a
iii How do I log on to the Internet Service
city; WANs (Wide Area Networks) cover a country
Provider?
or a continent.
You need to type in your username and password.
• Architecture. In a client-server network, a
Once you are online, you can get email, look
computer acts as a server and stores and distributes
for information on the Web, look up IT words in
information to the other nodes, or clients. In a peer-
dictionaries, try out new software, and sign up for
to-peer network, all the computers have the same RSS feeds, newsletters, etc. It is important that you
capabilities - that is, share files and peripherals
remember to log off after using the Internet. An open
without requiring a separate server computer.
line increases the risk of viruses, and hackers might
• Topology, or layout: In a bus network, all the
break into your computer to steal confidential data.
computers are connected to a main cable, or bus.
In a star network, all data flows through a central iv What is wireless networking?
hub, a common connection point for the devices Wired networks are linked by Ethernet cables, phone
in the network. In a ring network, all devices are lines and high-speed fibre optic cables. Wireless
connected to one another in a continuous loop, or networks, however, use electromagnetic waves, such as
ring. radio waves, to transmit data. These are the main types
• Network protocol: This is the language, or set of of wireless networks:
rules, that computers use to communicate with each • Satellites - for long distances
other. Networks use different protocols. For instance,
• WiMAX - for connecting Wi-Fi hotspots
the Internet uses TCP/IP.
• Wi-Fi - for medium-range distances
ii How do I install a wired modem router? • Bluetooth - for short distances
A modem router is a device that connects your • GSM - for mobile phones
computer or home LAN to the Internet.

•
v What do need I to set up a home wireless
Plugone end of the phone cord directly into a
phone jack, and the other end into the ADSL port
LAN?
You'll need computers equipped with a wireless
on the router.
adapter or wireless card, a wireless access point (a
• Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your
wireless router) and a broadband internet connection.
computer's network port and the other end into an
Ethernet port on the router. vi Which is better, a wired or wireless LAN?
• Turn on your computer. To set up, or configure, the Wired LANs are more difficult to install, but they are
router, you'll need to input some parameters, for cheaper, faster and more reliable. Wireless networks let
example your ISP's name and phone number. you move, or roam, from one access point to another,
but they are less secure and subject to interference.

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copy of
file.doc WANs cover a large geographic area, like a country
Computer
or even multiple countries. They are built by large
In a basic network, two computers are connected by telecommunication companies. The largest WAN in
cable to allow file sharing existence is the Internet.

Home LAN Wi-Fi LAN

1

Bluetooth Cellularx X>. 1L mM

Wi-Fi is the standard technology for building wireless
Inmany homes, Ethernet cables are used to connect LANS and public hotspots. Bluetooth networks
computers. Phone or cable TV lines then connect the allow handhelds, mobile phones and other devices to
home LAN to the ISP. Much of the Internet uses high-speed communicate over short distances. Cellular networks
fibre optic cable to send data over long distances. are used in mobile phone communications.

C In pairs, do this network quiz. See which pair can finish first.

1 This network typically consists of two or more local area networks, covering a large geographical
area.

a LAN b WAN c Intranet

2 This type of network does not have a dedicated server; all the computers are independent,

a peer-to-peer b client-server c Metropolitan Area Network

3 On this topology, all devices are connected to the same circuit, forming a continuous loop,

a star b ring c bus

4 The language used by computers to communicate with each other on the Internet is called

a Ethernet. b ADSL. c TCP/IP.

5 Which cables are used to transfer information for the Internet over long distances at high
speeds?

a telephone lines b Ethernet cables c fibre optic cables

6 Which device allows several computers on a local network to share an internet connection?
a an ADSL port b a router c an Ethernet port

7 Which device serves as a common connection point for devices in a wireless network?
a wireless access point b wired router c wireless adapter

8 Bluetooth is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to transmit data over
a long distances. b medium-range distances. c short distances (ten metres or less).
 . .

Unit 28

Language work: phrasal verbs

A Look at the HELP box. Do you have the equivalent of phrasal verbs in your
language? How do you say the phrasal verbs in the HELP box?

Phrasal verbs find out (= learn, discover)

• The meaning of some verbs with particle

Search the Web to find out more information
about WiMAX.
(often called phrasal verbs) can be easily
take up (= occupy)
understood from its two parts.
Fibre optic cables take up less space than
Look at the photos. copper cables.
A network consists of two or more . .
make up (= constitute, form)
Several LANs connected together make up a
Separate networks are linked over a public
WAN.
network, the Internet.
fill in (= write the necessary information)
• However, many phrasal verbs have an You need to fill in this online form.
idiomatic meaning, not predictable from
the meaning of its parts.
When the verb has a preposition associated
with it, the preposition must precede the
carry (= transport); carry out (= execute)
object:
Computers carry out the programs . .

You can look for information on the Web.

• Certain particles have similar meanings, (not: look information for )

regardless of the verb (on/off, in/out, etc.).

Hackers might break into your PC.
turn on / switch on (not: break your PC into )

(= start the operation of something)

turn off / switch off When the particle is an adverb, it can
precede or follow the direct object:
(= stop the operation of something)

• Other common phrasal verbs in computing You need to type in your username/
include: . . . type your username in.
You can look up words in a dictionary/
plug into (= connect)
. . . look words up in a dictionary.
Plug one end of the phone cord into the
Turn on the computer. /
phone jack.
Turn the computer on.
set up (= establish)
What do need to set up a wireless LAN?
I If the direct object is a pronoun, the:
sign up (= register, enrol in a service) particle must follow it

Once connected, you can sign up for RSS

You need to type it in.
feeds, newsletters, etc.
(not: type in it )
try out (= test or use experimentally)
You can try out new software on their site.

B Complete these sentences with the correct form of a phrasal verb from the
HELP box.
1 To join the club, this form and send it to our office.

2 The CPU all the basic operations on the data.

3 Digital music a lot of space - about 1 MB for every minute of stereo sound.
4 Thousands of networks the Internet.

5 You can use newsgroups to about the latest trends, customer needs, etc.

I
 C Match the questions (1-6) with the answers (a-f ).
1 Why was the hacker arrested?

2 Is it OK to log on to my bank account using public computers in a cybercafe?

3 How do I set up an internet connection at home?

4 Can download software from your
I site?

5 How can add I video to instant messaging?

6 What do need I to do to sign up for a Yahoo! email account?

a Yes, but always remember to log off after you've ended your session.

b Yes, you can even try the programs out for a period before you buy them!
c Because he broke into a computer system and stole confidential data.

d Simply install this program and plug the webcam into your computer.
e You need to install the software for your router. Follow the instructions provided by your ISP,

probably in the form of a .pdf file on a CD.

f You have to create a usemame and password and then give some personal details.

WANs and satellites

Prepare a description of the network Useful language
below to present to the rest of the class. Use The diagram represents/shows . .

PowerPoint if possible. Use the Useful Thisnetwork is made up of/consists of.

language box, the HELP box on page 143 Two networks are connected via . .

and the text on pages 1 41 -1 42 to help you. The computers are linked up to ...

The satellite receives signals from . .

The signals are sent onto ...

The purpose of ... isto ...

I n Mm -

Telephone ish aerial

lines

Satellite relay

Fibre optic cable

Laptop Central computer PDA PDA Central computer PC

B Present your description to the rest of the class.