1.3 Computer networks, connections and protocols Flashcards
What are the advantages of using networks?
Communication, monitoring user activity, controlling and updating workstations, roaming, sharing information, resource sharing and software streaming
What are the disadvantages of using networks?
Dependence, security issues, setting up hardware,
and malware
List the different types of network.
LAN, WAN, PAN, MAN, SAN, WPAN and VPN
True or False: Computers in a LAN must be connected to the Internet.
False: Computers in a LAN need not be connected to the Internet.
State an example for a LAN.
Connection of computers in an office or school.
State an example for a WAN.
The Internet
What is the use of a SAN?
Provides servers that enable users to store files on a large scale.
State an example of a WPAN.
A Bluetooth connection with devices in a car.
How is a VPN made secure?
By using encryption algorithms.
What are the different network models?
Client-to-server network model and peer-to-peer network model
List the different types of server.
Web servers, application servers, network attached storage (NAS), print servers and mail servers.
What is the function of a web server?
Handles the user’s requests and manages the websites. Allows users to view HTML pages, CSS stylesheets and other scripts.
What is a peer-to-peer network?
In a P2P network, each and every computer in a network is responsible for providing data equally.
Compare the performance of client-server and P2P network models.
Client-Server: Performance can be improved if the server is upgraded.
P2P: If the individual computers become slow, the whole network slows down.
What are the three types of copper cables?
Coaxial, unshielded twisted pair and shielded twisted pair.
What are fibre optic cables?
Fibre optic cables are made of glass and use light to transmit data.
What are the advantages of fibre optic cables compared to copper cables?
Long lifetime. Less electromagnetic interference compared to copper cables.
What are the disadvantages of fibre optic cables compared to copper cables?
Expensive to install.
What signals are used to transmit data in a wireless network?
Radio signals
What are the advantages of a wireless network?
Inexpensive and easy to install. Multiple devices can be connected without any additional hardware.
What are the disadvantages of a wireless network?
Slower compared to a wired network. Quality is disrupted due to obstructions. Security issues such as hacking.
What are the functions of a Network Interface Card?
Contains device address. Provides electrical signal to send data over the network and also for receiving incoming data. Implements the protocol for communication.
What hardware components are required for wired networking?
Routers, modems, hubs, switches and bridges
What is a modem?
A network hardware that turns digital data to electrical signals and vice versa.
What is topology?
The arrangement of various devices in a network is called its topology.
What are the different network topologies?
Bus topology
Ring topology
Star topology
Mesh topology
Why are terminators used in bus topology?
A terminator is installed at the end of the cable to stop the reflection of signals back to the bus.
True or False: Bus network offers a secured connection.
False. Bus networks do not offer secured connection as the data is available to all the devices in the network.
Why is installing bus network inexpensive?
Bus networks are inexpensive to install as much cabling is not required.
How is the number of data collisions reduced in a ring network?
Data collisions are reduced by allowing the data to flow in one particular direction.
In what case is a star network used?
For connecting five to six computers where speed is the priority.
Why are star networks expensive to install?
Star networks are expensive because of installation of hubs and individual cabling to all devices.
Why is a star network more reliable than bus and ring networks?
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.
What is a full mesh network?
A network topology in which all devices are connected to each other.
Why is a full mesh network more reliable than a star network?
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.
What is a partial mesh network?
A network topology in which a device connects to all other devices but some devices are connected in a different topology.
What happens to a data packet if its route fails in a mesh network?
The data packet is re-routed using algorithms.
