5. Find the answers to the questions.

1. Why did a great diversity of network technologies exist in the past?

2. Is geographical scope important?

3. What are the network options?

4. Can a NAN provide connectivity within an unlimited geographical area?

5. The Internet is the largest world’s LAN, isn’t it?

Text c: Physical topology

Each connection point on a network is referred to as a node. A network node typically contains one of the following devices:

Server: A computer responsible for storing data and programs.

Workstation: A personal computer connected to a network.

Networked peripheral: A device, such as printer or scanner, directly connected to a network rather than to a workstation.

Network device: An electronic device that broadcast network data, boost signals, or routes data to its destination. The arrangement of devices in a network is referred to as its physical topology. These are star, ring, bus, mesh, and tree topologies and the pathways between nodes can be linked by physical cables or wireless signals.

A network arranged as a star topology features a central connection point for all workstation and peripherals. The central connection point is not necessarily a server-more typically it is a network device called a hub.

A ring topology connects all devices in a circle ring. This topology minimizes cabling, but failure of any one device can take down the entire network.

A bus topology uses a common backbone to connect all network devices. The backbone functions as a shared communication link, which carries network data.

A mesh topology connects each network device to many other network devices. Data traveling on a mesh network can take any of several possible paths from its source to its destinations.

A tree topology is essentially a blend of star and bus networks. Multiple star networks are connected into a bus configuration by a backbone.

Various networks can be interconnected. Two similar networks can be connected by a device called a bridge. Networks that use different topologies and technologies can be interconnected by using gateways. The most commonly used gateway is a router, an electronic device that joins two or more networks.

1. Link the beginning and the end of the sentence.

1. A bus topology uses a common backbone	a) a blend of star and bus networks
2. The arrangement of devices in a network	b) can take down the entire network
3. A tree topology is essentially	c) is referred to as a node
4. This topology minimizes cabling, but failure of any device	d) to connect all network devices
5. Each connection point on a network	e) is referred to as its physical topology

2. Find the words with similar meaning in the text.

1) to call; 2) interconnection; 3) answerable; 4) transmit; 5) breakdown; 6) operate; 7) transfer

3. Complete these sentences using a noun or a verb from the box.

a) star topology; b) broadcasts; c) printer or scanner; d) connects; e) sever; f) functions

1. A device, such as … directly connected to a network rather than to a workstation.

2. An electronic device that … network data, boost signals, or routes data to is destination.

3. A network arranged as a … features a central connection point for all workstations and peripherals.

4. The backbone … as shared communication link, which carries networks data.

5. The central connection point is not necessarily a … - more typically it is a network device called a hub.

6. A mesh topology … each network device to many other network devices.