Networks, Internet and Digital Citizenship
1. Overview and Basic Concepts of Networks
A network is a group of two or more connected computer systems or devices that can
share resources and exchange information.
• Personal Area Network (PAN):
o What it is: A PAN connects devices that are located very close to an
individual user, typically within a range of a few meters.
o What it's used for/What it offers: Connecting personal devices like a
smartphone, tablet, laptop, wireless headphones, or a smartwatch. It's
used for short-range data transfer or device synchronisation.
o Advantages: Convenient, short-range wireless connectivity, easy setup.
o Disadvantages: Very limited range, lower data transfer speeds compared
to larger networks.
o What is needed: Devices with wireless communication capabilities (e.g.,
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct), and the ability to pair them.
• Home Area Network (HAN):
o What it is: A network within a home that connects all digital devices,
allowing them to communicate with each other and often share a single
internet connection.
o What it's used for/What it offers: Sharing files between computers,
streaming media to smart TVs, printing to a shared printer, connecting
smart home devices (lights, security cameras).
o Advantages: Resource sharing (printer, internet), central access to files,
convenience.
o Disadvantages: Setup can be complex for beginners, security risks if not
properly secured, performance can vary based on network devices and
signal strength.
o What is needed:
▪ Network Devices: Modem, Router, sometimes Switches.
▪ Communication Channel/Media: Cables (Ethernet) for wired
connections or Wi-Fi signals for wireless connections.
• Network Devices:
o Modem (Modulator-Demodulator):
▪ Function: Converts digital signals from your computer/router into
analogue signals that can travel over your Internet Service
Provider's (ISP) line (e.g., fibre, ADSL, cable) and vice-versa. It's the
"doorway" to the internet.
o Router:
▪ Function: Acts as a central hub for your home network. It directs
network traffic between your devices and between your network
and the internet (via the modem). It assigns IP addresses to
devices and manages the Wi-Fi signal.
o Switch:
▪ Function: Connects multiple wired devices within a local network
(like a HAN). It directs data only to the specific device it's intended
for, making wired network traffic more efficient. (Routers often
have built-in switches).
• Communication Channel/Media:
o What it is: The physical pathway or medium through which data travels in
a network.
o Examples:
▪ Cables: Ethernet cables (twisted pair, fibre optic) for wired
connections.
▪ Wireless: Radio waves (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) for wireless
connections.
2. Obtaining Internet Access
To connect a PC to the Internet, you need specific hardware and software.
• Hardware needed:
o Computer (PC): With a Network Interface Card (NIC) (wired or wireless).
o Modem: To connect to your ISP's line.
o Router: To create your home network and share the internet connection.
o Cables: Ethernet cable from modem to router, and from router to PC (for
wired connection).
• Software needed:
o Operating System (OS): (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux) which manages
network connections.
o Web Browser: (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox) to access websites.
o Drivers: For the Network Interface Card (NIC) to allow the OS to
communicate with it.
o ISP Connection Software (sometimes): Some ISPs might require
specific dial-up or connection software, though less common with
modern broadband.
3. Internet and World Wide Web (WWW)
• What is the Internet?
o A vast, global network of interconnected computer networks. It's a
worldwide system of computer networks that uses a common set of
communication rules (protocols) to allow devices to communicate with
each other. It's the underlying infrastructure.
• What are Internet addresses?
o Unique numerical labels (IP addresses) or human-readable names
(Domain Names) that identify devices and websites on the Internet.
o Example IP Address: 192.168.1.1
o Example Domain Name: www.google.com
• Overview of the World Wide Web (WWW):
o What it is: The WWW (often just called "the web") is a system of
interconnected documents and other web resources, accessible via the
Internet. It uses HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) to transmit data. It's a
collection of websites and web pages stored on web servers around the
world.
o Describe the WWW: It's a massive collection of digital content – text,
images, videos, applications – linked together by hyperlinks. You access
it using a web browser.
• Web address/Uniform Resource Locator (URL):
o What it is: The unique address that identifies a resource (like a web page,
image, or document) on the World Wide Web.
o Example: https://www.google.com/search?q=CAT+notes
▪ https:// (Protocol)
▪ www.google.com (Domain Name)
▪ /search?q=CAT+notes (Path and Query)
• URL Shortener:
o What it is: A web service that converts a long URL into a much shorter,
more manageable URL.
o Purpose: Easier to share (e.g., in tweets, text messages), looks cleaner,
can sometimes track clicks.
o Example: bit.ly/CATnotes instead of a very long original URL.
• Web Page:
o A document or information resource suitable for the World Wide Web and
accessible through a web browser. Written using HTML (Hypertext Markup
Language).
• Web Site:
o A collection of related web pages and multimedia content identified by a
common domain name and published on at least one web server.
• Hyperlink:
o A link from one hypertext document to another, activating another
document or file. It allows users to jump between web pages or different
sections within the same page by clicking on text or images.
• Types of Web sites, their purpose/what they offer and examples:
o Weblog (Blog): Online journal or informational website displaying
information in reverse chronological order.
▪ Purpose: Sharing personal thoughts, news, opinions, or expertise
on a specific topic.
▪ Example: A food blog with recipes, a travel blog with experiences.
o Wiki: A website that allows users to collaboratively create and edit web
pages.
▪ Purpose: Building shared knowledge bases.
▪ Example: Wikipedia.
o Social Network: Platforms that allow users to connect with others, share
content (photos, videos, text updates), and interact.
▪ Purpose: Social interaction, community building, information
sharing.
▪ Example: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X.
o Web Applications (Cloud Applications): Software applications that run
on a web server and are accessed via a web browser over the internet.
▪ Purpose: Performing various tasks online without needing to
install software on your local machine.
▪ Example:
▪ Google Docs: Online word processing, spreadsheets,
presentations.
▪ OneDrive: Cloud storage for files.
▪ Office 365 (Microsoft 365): Suite of online productivity
tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) accessible via a
browser.
