1.2 Networking Devices Flashcards
What is the main function of a router?
Routes traffic between IP subnets and operates at OSI layer 3.
What type of device is a layer 3 switch?
A switch with routing functionality, operating at OSI layer 3.
What is the primary function of a switch?
Forwards traffic based on data link address and operates at OSI layer 2.
What is a significant feature of enterprise network switches?
May provide Power over Ethernet (PoE).
What is a firewall used for?
Filters traffic by port number or application and can encrypt traffic for VPNs.
What additional function can some firewalls have?
Acting as layer 3 devices with dynamic routing and NAT capabilities.
What do IDS and IPS do?
IDS (Intrusion Detection System) detects and alerts for intrusions; IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) prevents intrusions before they reach the network.
What types of intrusions might an IDS/IPS detect?
Buffer overflows, cross-site scripting, and other vulnerabilities.
What is the difference between detection and prevention in IDS/IPS?
Detection alerts or alarms, while prevention stops the intrusion before it enters the network.
How do load balancers support server reliability?
They distribute traffic across multiple servers to provide fault tolerance and fast response.
What does SSL offload on a load balancer do?
Handles encryption and decryption to reduce the load on servers.
What is a proxy server’s role in network requests?
Acts as an intermediary for user requests, providing caching, access control, and content scanning.
What is the difference between an explicit and transparent proxy?
An explicit proxy requires user configuration, while a transparent proxy does not.
What is the difference between NAS and SAN?
NAS provides file-level access, while SAN provides block-level access and behaves like local storage.
Why is SAN considered efficient for reading and writing?
It offers block-level access and often requires high bandwidth with specialized network devices.
What is an access point (AP)?
A bridge that extends a wired network to a wireless network and operates at OSI layer 2.
How does a wireless router differ from a standalone AP?
A wireless router combines router and access point functionality, whereas an AP only extends the network.
What is the main function of a wireless LAN controller?
Manages and monitors multiple APs, enabling centralized configuration and deployment.
What are some key tasks of a wireless LAN controller?
Deploying new APs, monitoring performance and security, and reporting on AP usage.
Why are wireless networks described as pervasive?
They are widespread, with APs potentially deployed across multiple buildings or remote sites.
What can change frequently in wireless network configurations?
Access policies, security policies, and AP configurations.
