These slides are based on the Term 2 topic of Network Technologies of the Computer Applications Technology subject for Grade 12.

1. COMPUTER
APPLICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY (CAT)
GRADE 12 TOPIC: NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES
COMPILED BY MISS SN VILAKAZI
221137712

2. What is Network Technologies?
• Network Technology involves the use of data systems to manage and
deliver digital resources over a computer network.

3. Advantages and disadvantages of using
networks.
• Advantages
• Sharing devices such as printers saves money.
• Site (software) licenses are likely to be cheaper
than buying several standalone licenses.
• Files can easily be shared between users.
• Network users can communicate by email and
instant messenger.
• Security is good - users cannot see other users'
files unlike on stand-alone machines.
• Data is easy to backup as all the data is stored on
the file server.

4. Disadvantages
• Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be
expensive.
• Managing a large network is complicated, requires
training and a network manager usually needs to be
employed.
• If the file server breaks down the files on the file server
become inaccessible. Email might still work if it is on a
separate server. The computers can still be used but are
isolated.
• Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a
computer network.
• There is a danger of hacking, particularly with wide area
networks. Security procedures are needed to prevent such
abuse, e.g. a firewall.

5. Types of networks:
• PAN (Personal Area Network)or HAN (Home Area Network)
• LAN/WLAN (Local Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
• GAN (Global Area Network)

6. PAN (Personal Area Network)or HAN (Home Area
Network)
• Personal area network, this type
of network is the made up of the
devices used by one user.
• Home area network, this refers to
the network of devices within a
household.
• One can say that a HAN is a group
of PAN’s.

7. LAN/WLAN (Local Area Network)
• LAN/WLAN A local area network
is a network that does not span
over a geographical area greater
than a city a Wireless local area
network allows users to connect to
a LAN without using cables. This is
achieved using Wi-Fi routers.

8. WAN (Wide Area Network)
• WAN- A wide area network spans
over a large geographical area.

9. GAN (Global Area Network)
• GAN- A global area network spans
over the entire globe. This is like
the internet. Where users from
around the world are all connected
to the same network through the
specific type of network they use.

10. Basic components of a network
• A network consists of hardware, software and communication media. Please
read the information on the following webpage to familiarise yourself with
these components:
• https://www.tutorialspoint.com/Computer-Network-Components

11. THE END!!!