2 - Network Media, Devices, and Standards

Question 1

A(n) ___ is a device necessary for sending and receiving data.

Answer 1

modem

Note: Modems allow computers to transport digital information over analog lines, such as phone or cable lines. Types of modems include cable modems, DSL modems, and satellite modems.

Question 2

A(n) ___ is a point of connection between two or more networks that forwards data packets between the networks.

Answer 2

router

Note: To have internet in your home, you need an internet router that connects the networks on the internet to the network of your home. You can access the internet’s network either through a wired Ethernet port or via Wi-Fi.

Question 3

A(n) ___is used to connect devices in a specific network and allows them to communicate efficiently within the network.

Answer 3

switch

Note: A switch is a more complex version of a hub, in that switches have the capability to add security measures and functions far more intelligently, sending traffic directly from the sender to the receiver without the other devices being aware of the communication. Thus, a switch is less chatty and allows for more simultaneous conversations between devices. Most internet routers include a switch in the form of wired and wireless Ethernet connections.

Question 4

A(n) ___ is similar to a router in that it connects two or more networks. The difference is that a router analyzes data packets to determine where to send the packet next, whereas a(n) ___ simply forwards the data to the next network without analysis.

Answer 4

bridge

Note: This makes for fast data transfer that lacks versatility. Bridges are not widely used in modern networks, as routers and switches are the favored devices.

Question 5

A(n) ___ is a device used to strengthen, replicate, and regenerate signals that are weakened during transmission.

Answer 5

repeater

Note: In many large homes, the Wi-Fi signal does not extend to the end of the house farthest from the router. A range extender is a form of repeater that takes the distorted Wi-Fi signal and transmits it to the formerly dead zone.

Question 6

A(n) ___ connects the router to the network, takes the data packets from the router, and sends them to all the devices connected on the network.

Answer 6

hub

Note: An example is a USB hub. By connecting a USB hub to your computer, data packets are able to be transferred to multiple devices connected to your computer; each device then looks at only the traffic destined for it and ignores the rest.

Question 7

What OSI layer(s) does a modem operate at?

Answer 7

1. Physical

2. Data Link

Question 8

What OSI layer(s) does a switch operate at?

Answer 8

2. Data Link

3. Network

Question 9

What OSI layer(s) does a router operate at?

Answer 9

3. Network

Question 10

What OSI layer(s) does a hub operate at?

Answer 10

1. Physical

Question 11

What OSI layer(s) does a bridge operate at?

Answer 11

2. Data Link

Question 12

What OSI layer(s) does a repeater operate at?

Answer 12

1. Physical

Question 13

Which device operates at layer 3 of the OSI model?

a) Router
b) Wireless Access Point
c) Switch
d) Hub

Answer 13

a) Router

Note: A router is capable of taking local traffic and sending it to devices on a different network.

Question 14

Which device is used to connect host devices within a local area network?

a) Repeater
b) Gateway
c) Switch
d) Router

Answer 14

c) Switch

Note: The switch is the best choice for managing traffic that connects devices locally since one would not need to route or direct traffic outside of the local area network.

Question 15

Which device operates at layer 2 of the OSI model?

a) Router
b) Switch
c) Hub
d) Repeater

Answer 15

b) Switch

Question 16

UTP cables: ___ supports up to 10 Mbps for up to 100 meters and is commonly used for phone lines today.

Answer 16

Cat3

Question 17

UTP cables: ___ supports 16 Mbps for up to 100 meters and is not commonly used today.

Answer 17

Cat4

Question 18

UTP cables: ___ is used in Ethernet LANs containing two twisted pairs allowing for up to 100 Mbps up to 100 meters between the device and the switch, hub, or router.

Answer 18

Cat5

Note: This has been practically replaced by the Cat5e specification.

Question 19

UTP cables: ___ doubles the number of twisted pairs to four for up to 1 Gbps over up to 100 meters.

Answer 19

Cat5e

Question 20

UTP cables: ___ is used in Ethernet LANs and data centers. ___ is made up of four tightly woven twisted pairs and supports 1 Gbps for up to 100 meters or 10 Gbps for up to 55 meters.

Answer 20

Cat6

Question 21

UTP cables: ___ is an improvement of the Cat6 standard, supporting the same standards and lengths, but using a higher quality cable that is more resistant to interference.

Answer 21

Cat6a

Note: This is most commonly used in wired networks today.

Question 22

A UTP cable connector that supports two pairs of wires.

Answer 22

RJ11

Note: Typically used in telephones.

Question 23

A UTP cable connector that is an end connector typically used with ethernet cables and supports four pairs of wires.

Answer 23

RJ45

Question 24

Analog cables made of copper but specifically engineered with a metal shield intended to block signal interference.

Answer 24

Coaxial cables

Question 25

These cables use glass or plastic threads within cables to transfer the data using light as opposed to traditional metal cables using electricity.

Answer 25

Fiber cables

AKA: fiber-optic cables

Question 26

___ fiber cables are made up of one single glass or plastic fiber.

Answer 26

single-mode

Note: The benefit of a single fiber cable is the ability to carry higher bandwidth for 50 times the distance of a multimode cable. This requires higher cost electronics to create the light and thus is typically used for longer distances and higher bandwidth applications.

Question 27

___ fiber cables are wider in diameter due to light modes being sent across the cable.

Answer 27

multimode

Note: Multimode fibers are highly effective over medium distances and are generally used within a LAN. They are also less expensive than single-mode fiber due to the potential for use with LEDs and other lower-cost options for creating the light.

Question 28

This fiber cable connector was the most commonly used until the mid-2000s. It was used on campuses, corporate networks, and for military purposes.

Answer 28

straight tip (ST)

Note: Today, LC connectors are usually used instead, as they are denser and more convenient at almost the same cost.

Question 29

This fiber cable connector is a smaller version of the standard connector (SC). This supports more ports to be used in the same space.

Answer 29

lucent connector (LC)

Note: This is probably the most common type used in corporate data centers today and is usually used with small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceivers.

Question 30

___ cables are used to connect two computing devices of the same type directly to each other.

Answer 30

crossover

Note: In computers, this is accomplished via their network interface controllers (NIC) or switches. With a crossover cable, the transmit connector on one end of the wire is connected to the receive connector on the other. Used much less today, as many standards have built-in capability to try straight through and then crossover if communication does not take place

Question 31

___ cables are used to connect a device to a wall outlet.

Answer 31

patch

Note: The wall outlets is wired to another patch panel in the networking closet, and that networking panel is wired into a switch. These cables can also be used in wire servers in a rack to the top of rack (ToR) switch. Patch cables look similar to crossover and UTP cables.