GCSE > Computer Science > Pearson IGCSE > GCSE Computer Science > COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Wired and wireless networks, protocols, and layers > Modes of connection
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COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Encoding and compression

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Network topologies

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Wired and wireless networks, protocols, and layers

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Threats to computer systems and networks

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Operating systems and utility software

ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING: Types of data

ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING: Producing robust programs

ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING: Designing, creating, and refining algorithms

ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Wired:
    • Uses physical cables such as Ethernet (twisted-pair copper cables with RJ45 connectors).
    • Ethernet cables transmit data via electrical signals. 
    • Typically faster and more secure due to direct physical connection.
  • Wireless:
    • Uses Wi-Fi or Bluetooth radio waves to transmit data without cables.
    • Wi-Fi connects devices to wireless access points that broadcast an SSID, whereas Bluetooth is for short-range device communication.
  • WiFi frequency bands and channels: WiFi uses radio waves to transmit data, primarily over two frequency bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
    • The 2.4 GHz band contains 13 channels, each spanning 22MHz, but most channels overlap, leading to signal interference. Only 3 channels (1, 6, and 11) are non-overlapping, limiting performance in crowded environments.
    • The 5 GHz band contains 24 non-overlapping channels. This allows for more networks to operate simultaneously with minimal interference.
  • Encryption:
    • Wireless networks use encryption to secure transmitted data. This prevents unauthorized users from reading wireless transmissions.
    • WPA2-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 - Pre-shared Key) is the most secure means of authenticating devices on wireless networks.
  • Standards: a set of agreed rules or specifications that ensure compatibility between hardware and software from different manufacturers. Without standards, devices wouldn’t work together properly.

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