Digital
Information
Technology
Component 3
, A - Modern Technologies -
A1 Modern Technologies -
An ad hoc network is a type of wireless network. Unlike traditional networks, it does not depend on cables that
connect to routers and other devices or any device in order to organise the network. They can provide organisation
employees with internet connectivity when they are working outside of a workplace.
Benefits of ad hoc - provide internet access to one or more devices that do not have the connection, theft provide
access to the internet at all times, it is simple to connect, allows users to connect to the internet without using data,
allows users to work in places other than work.
Open wife - many public places such as hotels, cafes, transitions, provide Wi-Fi access for anyone when visiting
them. To use an open Wi-fi network, you may need to register and some require a network key (code, provided only
to authorised users)
Tethering - enables a device with an internet connection, to share its internet connectivity with a device that does not
have internet access.
Personal Hotspot - it is sim [plea to set up using the device’s tethering facility. Several devices can be tethered to a
personal hotspot through WIFI, Bluetooth or by using a USB cable.
Security issues with ad hoc networks -
- Open WIFI often does not have encryption (method of scrambling data so only the person who is meant to
receive it can read it) so the data you send and receive is not secure and can be easily intercepted.
Websites are usually secure if you use https.
- Open Wi-fi encryption exists when it is not strong and can be hacked.
- Ad hoc networks are normally secure enough to send emails and use the internet, less vulnerable to
eavesdropping. Care needs to be taken to ensure that secure encryption keys are used.
Performance issues with ad hoc networks -
- When using tethering or personal hotspots, the internet connection is made through a smartphone. Devices
tethered have a smaller data transfer so the speeds are slow as many people are using them.
- Wireless routers have limited range so any device using the network needs to be fairly close to the
transmitter.
- Signals may be weak if you are not close to the transmitter so you may have difficulty connecting to lose the
signal once connected.
Issues affecting network availability - Blackspots - tall buildings, and geographic features can cause areas where
mobile network connection is poor or non-existent. Metal frame buildings can also block mobile signals, which stops
everything and leads to you losing everything before saving.
Rural vs city networks - ⅕ of UK population live in rural areas. Due to the high cost of installing equipment in rural
areas, mobile network coverage may be por. Cities have high speed connections due to higher population levels.
Available Infrastructure - more and more people are using the internet for activities which require large amounts of
data to be sent continuously over the network. This places a strain on the network.
Mobile Network Coverage - although high speed mobile networks are available there are many locations where
signal does not reach - no cell towers. There is a difference between mobile service providers with some having
better coverage in some locations than others.
Developed v developing - developed countries are more advanced. Developing countries have a lack of money to
invest in mobile phones so may have difficulty in managing a country's resources to set up an advanced network.
Information
Technology
Component 3
, A - Modern Technologies -
A1 Modern Technologies -
An ad hoc network is a type of wireless network. Unlike traditional networks, it does not depend on cables that
connect to routers and other devices or any device in order to organise the network. They can provide organisation
employees with internet connectivity when they are working outside of a workplace.
Benefits of ad hoc - provide internet access to one or more devices that do not have the connection, theft provide
access to the internet at all times, it is simple to connect, allows users to connect to the internet without using data,
allows users to work in places other than work.
Open wife - many public places such as hotels, cafes, transitions, provide Wi-Fi access for anyone when visiting
them. To use an open Wi-fi network, you may need to register and some require a network key (code, provided only
to authorised users)
Tethering - enables a device with an internet connection, to share its internet connectivity with a device that does not
have internet access.
Personal Hotspot - it is sim [plea to set up using the device’s tethering facility. Several devices can be tethered to a
personal hotspot through WIFI, Bluetooth or by using a USB cable.
Security issues with ad hoc networks -
- Open WIFI often does not have encryption (method of scrambling data so only the person who is meant to
receive it can read it) so the data you send and receive is not secure and can be easily intercepted.
Websites are usually secure if you use https.
- Open Wi-fi encryption exists when it is not strong and can be hacked.
- Ad hoc networks are normally secure enough to send emails and use the internet, less vulnerable to
eavesdropping. Care needs to be taken to ensure that secure encryption keys are used.
Performance issues with ad hoc networks -
- When using tethering or personal hotspots, the internet connection is made through a smartphone. Devices
tethered have a smaller data transfer so the speeds are slow as many people are using them.
- Wireless routers have limited range so any device using the network needs to be fairly close to the
transmitter.
- Signals may be weak if you are not close to the transmitter so you may have difficulty connecting to lose the
signal once connected.
Issues affecting network availability - Blackspots - tall buildings, and geographic features can cause areas where
mobile network connection is poor or non-existent. Metal frame buildings can also block mobile signals, which stops
everything and leads to you losing everything before saving.
Rural vs city networks - ⅕ of UK population live in rural areas. Due to the high cost of installing equipment in rural
areas, mobile network coverage may be por. Cities have high speed connections due to higher population levels.
Available Infrastructure - more and more people are using the internet for activities which require large amounts of
data to be sent continuously over the network. This places a strain on the network.
Mobile Network Coverage - although high speed mobile networks are available there are many locations where
signal does not reach - no cell towers. There is a difference between mobile service providers with some having
better coverage in some locations than others.
Developed v developing - developed countries are more advanced. Developing countries have a lack of money to
invest in mobile phones so may have difficulty in managing a country's resources to set up an advanced network.
