1.3.3 Networks (Networks and Protocols)

Question 1

What is a network?

Answer 1

Two or more computers connected together, with the ability to transmit data between each other.

Question 2

What are the two types of network?

Answer 2

Local area network
Wide area network

Question 3

What is a Local area network?

Answer 3

A network which is spread over a small geographical area

Question 4

What is a wide area network?

Answer 4

A network which is spread over a large geographical area.

Question 5

Give an example of where a LAN may be used.

Answer 5

School

Question 6

Give an example of where a WAN may be used.

Answer 6

Large corporations that have offices in multiple locations.

Question 7

What are the two types of topology?

Answer 7

Physical and logical

Question 8

What is meant by physical topology?

Answer 8

The physical layout of the wires and components which form the network.
EG: Bus, star, mesh

Question 9

What is meant by logical topology?

Answer 9

The layout which shows how data flows.

Question 10

Describe Bus Topology

Answer 10

All the terminals are connected to a backbone cable. The ends are plugged into a terminator.

Question 11

Bus Topology Advantages

Answer 11

• Relatively inexpensive to set up
• Doesn’t require additional hardware

Question 12

Bus Topology Disadvantages

Answer 12

• If the backbone fails, the entire network gets disconnected.
• As traffic increases, performance decreases.
• All computers can see the data transmission.

Question 13

Describe Star Topology

Answer 13

A central node is used, often a switch, to direct data through the network. Other nodes are connected to this central node.

Question 14

Within a star topology, how can we identify each device on the network?

Answer 14

Each device has a unique MAC address, allowing us to identify each device on the network.

Question 15

Star Topology Advantages

Answer 15

• Consistent performance, even with heavy network traffic
• If one cable fails, only that single terminal is affected.
• Transmits data faster, giving better performance than bus topology.
• Easy to add new nodes
• No data collisions

Question 16

Star Topology Disadvantages

Answer 16

• Expensive due to switch and cabling.
• If the central switch fails, the rest of the network fails.

Question 17

Describe Mesh Topology

Answer 17

Every node is connected to every other node.

Question 18

Mesh Topology Advantages

Answer 18

• There is no cabling cost if you are using a wireless network
• As the number of nodes increases, the reliability and speed of the network becomes better.
• Nodes are automatically incorporated
• Nodes are directly connected, improving speed.

Question 19

What is a protocol?

Answer 19

A set of rules defining how two computers communicate with each other.

Question 20

Why are protocols standard?

Answer 20

So that all devices have a designated method of communicating with each other, regardless of manufacturer.

Question 21

What is HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) commonly used for?

Answer 21

Web page rendering.

Question 22

What is TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) commonly used for?

Answer 22

Routing packets through networks

Question 23

What is POP3 (post office protocol) and IMAP (internet message access protocol) used for?

Answer 23

Email access

Question 24

What is FTP (File transfer protocol) used for?

Answer 24

Transmitting files over networks

Question 25

What can the internet be described as?

Answer 25

A network of networks.