Network Performance

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Network Performance

There are many factors which affect the overall performance on a network:

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is the quantity of data that can be transferred in a set amount of time.
Higher bandwidths mean higher performance potential of the network.
If many devices share the same bandwidth, each device may get slower speeds.

Wired vs wireless

Wired networks are usually much faster and more reliable.
There is a greater chance of all of the packets of data arriving at their intended destination when using wired networks. There is very little interference with the signal.
Data packets being sent wirelessly are competing with other wireless signals, which increases the rate at which data will not arrive at its destination.
Wireless performance depends on how well a computer can pick up the signal, but is rarely better than a wired connection would be.

Choice of hardware

Copper cables (Ethernet) use electrical signals. They are cheap but can suffer from interference and have a limited maximum speed.
Fibre optic cables use light signals, allowing very high speeds, long distances, and no electrical interference.
Network interface cards (NICs) affect performance depending on whether they support faster standards (e.g., 1 Gb/s vs 100 Mb/s).
Routers and switches must be powerful enough to handle the number of connected devices. Weaker devices create bottlenecks.

Topology

The topology of the network (how the computers are laid out and connected together) impacts the network performance.
Star topology often gives the best performance because each device has a direct connection to a central switch or server.
In a bus topology, all devices share one cable, so performance drops as more devices are added.
In a mesh topology, many routes exist, so data can travel more efficiently, improving reliability and speed.

Network Performance (cont.)

Number of users

Lots of devices using the network at the same time can overload it, reducing speed for everyone.
Heavy activities like video streaming or gaming can slow down other users.

Distance and latency

The distance that data has to travel affects the performance of a network.
Both wired and wireless connections may need repeaters to boost the strength of the signal carrying the data packets.
Devices are slower, especially on a wireless network, the further away a device is from the wireless access point
Latency is the delay before data begins transferring.
Wireless networks usually have higher latency than wired.
Long distances or too many network hops increase latency.

Interference

Certain physical materials do not allow wireless signals to pass through.
This type of interference increases the rate at which data packets are lost.
Have you ever entered a building and lost your phone signal? This may be because of the construction of the building.

Network Performance: Solutions

Here are some possible ways to improve the performance of a network.

Wired vs wireless

Problem: Wireless networks suffer from interference, weak signal strength, and congestion.
Solution:
- Switch to a wired Ethernet connection for devices that need stable, high-speed performance.
- Place the Wi-Fi router centrally to improve coverage.
- Upgrade to dual-band or tri-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) to reduce interference.

Hardware Type

Problem: Copper cables are slower and more susceptible to interference.
Solution:
- Upgrade to fibre optic cables, which provide higher speeds, longer distances, and immunity to electrical interference.
- Replace old Cat5 cables with Cat6 or Cat6a Ethernet cables for faster wired connections.

Network topology

Problem: Inefficient topologies (like bus) reduce performance as more devices join.
Solution:
- Use a star topology, where each device connects to a central switch for better speed and reliability.
- For large, mission-critical networks, use mesh topology to provide multiple data routes and reduce congestion.

Bandwidth

Problem: Many devices share limited bandwidth, slowing the network.
Solution:
- Increase the available bandwidth from the ISP (upgrade broadband package).
- Use Quality of Service (QoS) settings on the router to prioritise important traffic (e.g., video calls, gaming).
- Reduce unnecessary background usage (e.g., cloud backups during peak hours).

Number of users

Problem: Too many users/devices overload the network.
Solution:
- Add extra access points or Wi-Fi extenders to spread the load.
- Split devices between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
- Use wired connections for some devices to reduce wireless traffic.

Interference

Problem: Wireless signals are disrupted by physical barriers or other electronics.
Solution:
- Change the Wi-Fi channel to avoid interference from neighbouring networks.
- Move the router away from microwaves, cordless phones, and thick walls.
- Upgrade to Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, which handle interference better.

1Computer Systems

1.1Systems Architecture

1.1.1Fetch-Execute Cycle

1.1.2Common CPU Components & Their Function

1.1.3Von Neumann Architecture

1.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance

1.1.5Embedded Systems

1.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Von Neumann Architecture

1.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Embedded vs General

1.2Memory & Storage

1.2.1Types of Memory

1.2.2Flash Memory

1.2.3Properties of Flash Memory

1.2.4Running Out of Memory

1.2.5Virtual Memory

1.2.6Units of Capacity

1.2.7Calculating Capacity Requirements

1.2.8Solid State Storage

1.2.9Properties of Solid State Media

1.2.10Magnetic Storage

1.2.11Properties of Magnetic Media

1.2.12Examples of Magnetic Storage

1.2.13Optical Storage

1.2.14Properties of Optical Media

1.2.15Examples of Optical Storage

1.2.16Types of Optical Disk

1.2.17Number Bases

1.2.18Converting Number Bases

1.2.19Hexadecimal

1.2.20Using Hexadecimal

1.2.21Converting Denary & Hexadecimal

1.2.22Binary Addition

1.2.23Binary Shifts

1.2.24Representing Text

1.2.25ASCII & Unicode

1.2.26Representing Images

1.2.27Converting Binary & Images

1.2.28Representing Sound

1.2.29Data Compression

1.2.30Grade 9 - Storage

1.2.31Exam-Style Questions - Primary Memory

1.2.32Exam-Style Questions - Storage

1.2.33Exam-Style Questions - Data Conversions

1.2.34Diagnostic Misconceptions - RAM vs ROM

1.2.35Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bits, Nibbles & Bytes

1.2.36Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bits Required to Store

1.2.37End of Topic Test - Computer Systems

1.2.38End of Topic Test - Representation

1.3Computer Networks, Connections & Protocols

1.4Network Security

1.4.1Forms of Attack

1.4.2Penetration Testing

1.4.3Malware

1.4.4How Malware Spreads

1.4.5Social Engineering

1.4.6Phishing

1.4.7Cracking Passwords

1.4.8Denial of Service Attacks

1.4.9Data Interception

1.4.10Methods of Data Interception

1.4.11SQL Injection

1.4.12Network Administration

1.4.13Network Forensics

1.4.14Protecting Against Malware

1.4.15Firewalls

1.4.16User Access Levels

1.4.17Passwords

1.4.18Encryption

1.4.19End of Topic Test - Networks

1.5Systems Software

1.5.1System Software

1.5.2Utility Software

1.5.3Operating Systems

1.5.4User Interfaces

1.5.5Memory & Process Management

1.5.6File Management

1.5.7Device Management

1.5.8User Management

1.5.9Encryption Software

1.5.10Defragmentation Software

1.5.11Data Compression Software

1.5.12Backup Software

1.6Ethical, Legal, Cultural & Environmental Concern

2Computational Thinking, Algorithms & Programming

2.1Algorithms

2.1.1Computational Thinking - Abstraction

2.1.2Computational Thinking - Decomposition

2.1.3Algorithmic Thinking

2.1.4Pseudocode

2.1.5Flowchart Diagrams

2.1.6Interpreting Algorithms

2.1.7Correcting Algorithms

2.1.8Completing Algorithms

2.1.9Search Algorithms

2.1.10Binary Search

2.1.11Linear Search

2.1.12Overview of Sort Algorithms

2.1.13Bubble Sort

2.1.14Merge Sort

2.1.15Insertion Sort

2.1.16Exam-Style Questions - Sorting Algorithms

2.2Programming Fundamentals

2.3Producing Robust Programs

2.3.1Defensive Design

2.3.2Validation & Sanitisation

2.3.3Authentication & Contingencies

2.3.4Maintainability

2.3.5Purpose of Testing

2.3.6Types of Testing

2.3.7Test Plans

2.3.8Types of Errors

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Programming

2.3.10Exam-Style Questions - Testing

2.4Boolean Logic

2.4.1Binary Systems

2.4.2Logic Circuits

2.4.3Boolean Logic

2.4.4Boolean Operators

2.4.5Grade 9 - Logic

2.5Programming Languages & IDEs

2.5.1High-Level vs Low-Level Languages

2.5.2Translation - Compliers & Interpreter

2.5.3Translation - Assemblers

2.5.4Integrated Development Environments

2.5.5Exam-Style Questions - Translation

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