1.3 Computer networks, connections and protocols

Question 1

What are the advantages of using networks?

Answer 1

Communication, monitoring user activity, controlling and updating workstations, roaming, sharing information, resource sharing and software streaming

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of using networks?

Answer 2

Dependence, security issues, setting up hardware,
and malware

Question 3

List the different types of network.

Answer 3

LAN, WAN, PAN, MAN, SAN, WPAN and VPN

Question 4

True or False: Computers in a LAN must be connected to the Internet.

Answer 4

False: Computers in a LAN need not be connected to the Internet.

Question 5

State an example for a LAN.

Answer 5

Connection of computers in an office or school.

Question 6

State an example for a WAN.

Answer 6

The Internet

Question 7

What is the use of a SAN?

Answer 7

Provides servers that enable users to store files on a large scale.

Question 8

State an example of a WPAN.

Answer 8

A Bluetooth connection with devices in a car.

Question 9

How is a VPN made secure?

Answer 9

By using encryption algorithms.

Question 10

What are the different network models?

Answer 10

Client-to-server network model and peer-to-peer network model

Question 11

List the different types of server.

Answer 11

Web servers, application servers, network attached storage (NAS), print servers and mail servers.

Question 12

What is the function of a web server?

Answer 12

Handles the user’s requests and manages the websites. Allows users to view HTML pages, CSS stylesheets and other scripts.

Question 13

What is a peer-to-peer network?

Answer 13

In a P2P network, each and every computer in a network is responsible for providing data equally.

Question 14

Compare the performance of client-server and P2P network models.

Answer 14

Client-Server: Performance can be improved if the server is upgraded.
P2P: If the individual computers become slow, the whole network slows down.

Question 15

What are the three types of copper cables?

Answer 15

Coaxial, unshielded twisted pair and shielded twisted pair.

Question 16

What are fibre optic cables?

Answer 16

Fibre optic cables are made of glass and use light to transmit data.

Question 17

What are the advantages of fibre optic cables compared to copper cables?

Answer 17

Long lifetime. Less electromagnetic interference compared to copper cables.

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of fibre optic cables compared to copper cables?

Answer 18

Expensive to install.

Question 19

What signals are used to transmit data in a wireless network?

Answer 19

Radio signals

Question 20

What are the advantages of a wireless network?

Answer 20

Inexpensive and easy to install. Multiple devices can be connected without any additional hardware.

Question 21

What are the disadvantages of a wireless network?

Answer 21

Slower compared to a wired network. Quality is disrupted due to obstructions. Security issues such as hacking.

Question 22

What are the functions of a Network Interface Card?

Answer 22

Contains device address. Provides electrical signal to send data over the network and also for receiving incoming data. Implements the protocol for communication.

Question 23

What hardware components are required for wired networking?

Answer 23

Routers, modems, hubs, switches and bridges

Question 24

What is a modem?

Answer 24

A network hardware that turns digital data to electrical signals and vice versa.

Question 25

What is topology?

Answer 25

The arrangement of various devices in a network is called its topology.

Question 26

What are the different network topologies?

Answer 26

Bus topology Ring topology Star topology Mesh topology

Question 27

Why are terminators used in bus topology?

Answer 27

A terminator is installed at the end of the cable to stop the reflection of signals back to the bus.

Question 28

True or False: Bus network offers a secured connection.

Answer 28

False. Bus networks do not offer secured connection as the data is available to all the devices in the network.

Question 29

Why is installing bus network inexpensive?

Answer 29

Bus networks are inexpensive to install as much cabling is not required.

Question 30

How is the number of data collisions reduced in a ring network?

Answer 30

Data collisions are reduced by allowing the data to flow in one particular direction.

Question 31

In what case is a star network used?

Answer 31

For connecting five to six computers where speed is the priority.

Question 32

Why are star networks expensive to install?

Answer 32

Star networks are expensive because of installation of hubs and individual cabling to all devices.

Question 33

Why is a star network more reliable than bus and ring networks?

Answer 33

If a cable fails in a star network, only that particular device is affected. In the case of bus and ring networks, the whole network fails.

Question 34

What is a full mesh network?

Answer 34

A network topology in which all devices are connected to each other.

Question 35

Why is a full mesh network more reliable than a star network?

Answer 35

A full mesh network would never fail because there are many routes available for a data packet. In star networks, if hub fails, the whole network fails.

Question 36

What is a partial mesh network?

Answer 36

A network topology in which a device connects to all other devices but some devices are connected in a different topology.

Question 37

What happens to a data packet if its route fails in a mesh network?

Answer 37

The data packet is re-routed using algorithms.