1.6 Compare and Contrast network topologies, architectures, and types.

Question 1

What is a BUS topology?

Answer 1

• Its physical layout is usually a star.
• It has one node that transmits while all other receive (broadcast).
• Only a single node can transmit at a time.
• Cable failure breaks the entire network.

Question 2

What is a RING topology?

Answer 2

• One node transmits; all receive (broadcast).
• Each node transmits in return.
• Failure in a node affects the entire network (token can get stuck because it cannot get passed along).

Question 3

What is a STAR (hub and spoke) topology?

Answer 3

• Most current network topology in use today.
• Failure in one node doesn’t affect the others.
• Failure of the central device will affect the others.
• Requires more cabling than its predecessors.
• Example: Switched Ethernet networks with the switch located in the middle.

Question 4

What is a HYBIRD topology?

Answer 4

Uses a combination of physical and logical topologies to take advantage of all the benefits combined.

Question 5

What is a MESH topology?

Answer 5

• Each device is connected to every other device.
• Can typically be the most expensive solution; has limited scalability; but very fault tolerant.

Question 6

What is a Peer-to-Peer network type?

Answer 6

• This is when any system can act as a client, server, or both.
• Makes sharing easier, administration more difficult, but is also more cost-effective and easier to deploy.

Question 7

What is a Client/Server network type?

Answer 7

• Central, dedicated server where the client talks to the server, not to other clients.
• Powerful performance, high level of security, can be expensive, complex and has no resource sharing.

Question 8

What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?

Answer 8

Can include primary offices, remote offices, or individual remote workers (300-foot radius)

Question 9

What is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?

Answer 9

Are typically connected using specific technology protocols (ATM, Frame Relay) that are better suited to long-haul communication that local area technology cannot.

Question 10

What is a frame relay?

Answer 10

it is a Layer 2 protocol for data transmission that uses either Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) or Switched Virtual Circuit (SVC) - PVC is most common implemented in enterprise networks since all data frames follow the same path; does not have authentication or encryption.

Question 11

What is Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)?

Answer 11

Layer 2 protocol designed to replace Frame Relay; uses ATM End Station Addressing (ASEA) system; has not authentication or encryption.

Question 12

What is a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)?

Answer 12

It connects multiple LANs across a larger area but is smaller than a WAN (30 mile radius).

Question 13

What is a Personal Area Network (PAN)?

Answer 13

It connects devices within a user’s immediate area; typically concerned with the exchange of information in this short space (33-foot radius).

Question 14

Spine and Leaf Architecture

Answer 14

• Each leaf switch connects to each spine switch and vice versa.
• HOWEVER, leaf switches DO NOT connect to each other and same for the spine switches.

Question 15

What is “Top-of-rack” Switching?

Answer 15

• Each leaf is on the “top” of a physical network rack (which may include a group of physical racks).
• It allows your network to have more simple cabling solutions, very redundant and fast.

Question 16

What is a point-to-point connection?

Answer 16

One-to-one connection used on older WAN Links.

Question 17

What are the parts of a 3-tier hierarchical model?

Answer 17

1. Core
2. Distribution
3. Access.

Question 18

In the 3-tier hierarchical model, please describe what importance the core layer plays.

Answer 18

• It is the “center” of the network (i.e. web servers, databases, and applications).
• Many people do not need to access this.

Question 19

In the 3-tier hierarchical model, please describe what importance the distribution layer plays.

Answer 19

• It is a midpoint between the core and the users.
• It allows communication between access switches.
• Manages the path to the end users.

Question 20

In the 3-tier hierarchical model, please describe what importance the access layer plays.

Answer 20

This is where the users connect (i.e. endpoints, printers).

Question 21

What is the Collapse Core Model?

Answer 21

• This is a two-tiered model that is most commonly used for smaller organizations.
• It combines the core and distribution layer (collapsed).
• It is less expensive to implement but is not as resilient.

Question 22

What is an East-West traffic flow?

Answer 22

• Traffic that flows between devices in the same data center.
• Relatively fast response times between devices.

Question 23

What is a North-South traffic flow?

Answer 23

It is ingress/egress traffic that flows to a device outside of the data center.