1.4 - Connectivity

Hardware needs connections in order for it to communicate with other hardware. There are many different types of connection:

Wired:

• Copper:
• Cheap to buy and use
• Malleable
• Weak material
• Low bandwidth
• Fibre Optic:
• High bandwidth
• Can have a larger range
• More expensive
• More fragile

Wireless:

• Bluetooth:
• Transfers files without extra hardware
• Only supports short-range transfer
• Infrared:
• Sends signals quickly over a short distance
• Requires a line of sight
• Microwave:
• Supports a very large distance
• Requires line of sight
• Satellite:
• Transfers data at a high speed
• Poor weather can interrupt connection
• GSM:
• Allows for calls and text network connection
• Bandwidth can lag