1.3.3.8 Network Hardware Flashcards
What are the characteristics and function of an NIC (Network Interface Connection)?
Connection between device and network.
NICs take different forms depending on the type of transmission media being used.
Nowadays, NICs are built into the motherboard of a system.
Allows both wired and wireless communication.
On the 4 four layers, the NIC is both a physical layer and data link layer device. Can be used for both LAN and WAN.
What is the function of a bridge?
Large networks are often broken down into smaller networks for performance qualities. These network segments are connected together via a bridge.
What is a gateway? How do they differ from routers?
Functions as an entry/exit point for devices from a dissimilar network to another network, sometimes across a WAN.
All gateways are routers as they pass data between networks, but not all routers are gateways because the two networks in question might not be dissimilar.
What does a router do?
Connection between network and network. Inspects the IP address connected to data, and consequentially sends data to the correct network. (Connects a LAN to a WAN or device to a LAN). Forwards packets to the correct network.
What does a switch do? How does it function?
Connects devices together to form a wired connection across a LAN.
Inspects the MAC address connected to data, and consequentially send data to the correct device. The switch only learns the MAC addresses of the devices connected to it, so that it sends data to the intended destination only.
Operates on the data link layer and is an active device: it inspects transmissions and routes them to the correct device.
Switches are much faster than hubs in regards to data transfer.
What does a hub do? How does it function?
Allows you to connect multiple devices to one network across a LAN. Operating on the physical layer and considered a passive device.
It broadcasts the transmissions it receives to all other connected devices. This does mean that the network can be easily flooded with traffic.
What is the function of a Wireless Access Point (WAP)? How does it work?
Connects to a switch/router/hub to provide a wireless connection for devices over Wi-Fi.
WAPs broadcast an SSID (network name) to devices so they which network to join.
WAPs must use encryption and authentication so that unauthorised users cannot take advantage of the network.
(Creates a Wireless Local Area Network [WLAN]).
What does a modem do? How does it function?
Transforms digital information from your computer into analogue signals that can be transmitted through wires. It can also translate incoming analogue signals back into digital data that your computer can understand.
What are the 4 types of transmission media? Are they wired or wireless?
- Coaxial Cables (Wired)
- Twisted Pair cables (Wired)
- Fibre-Optic cables (Wired)
- Radio Waves (Wireless)
What are the characteristics of Coaxial Cables?
Less affected by external magnetic forces than twisted pair cables, they provide moderate bandwidth.
What are the 4 components of Coaxial Cables?
Four cylindrical components:
- Solid conductor wire
- Layer of insulation
- Grounding conductor
- Layer of exterior insulation
What are Twisted Pair Cables composed of?
Made up of a pair of copper wires
What is another word for Twisted Pair Cables?
Ethernet Cables
What are the characteristics of Twisted-Pair Cables?
They are cheaper than coaxial and fibre optical cables, but are affected by noise from external magnetic fields.
Twisted pair cables are only able to provide low bandwidth, used for telephone networks.
What are Fibre-Optic Cables?
Made up of very thin optical fibres bundled together into a single cables. The fibres are either glass or plastic.
Commonly used to support communication among long-distance countries.
