2.4 - Network Services

Question 1

What is a common feature of almost every data center?

Answer 1

Almost every data center has a DNS server, which is responsible for converting fully qualified domain names to IP addresses.

Question 2

What does DNS stand for and what is its primary function?

Answer 2

DNS stands for Domain Name System. Its primary function is to convert fully qualified domain names into IP addresses.

Question 3

How does DNS work in the context of web browsing?

Answer 3

When you type a domain name into a browser, the browser queries the DNS server for the IP address of that domain. The server provides the IP address, allowing the browser to communicate with the web server.

Question 4

Why might an organization have multiple DNS servers?

Answer 4

Multiple DNS servers are used to ensure the DNS service is always available and to manage the distributed nature of the naming system.

Question 5

What does DHCP stand for and what is its role?

Answer 5

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It automatically assigns and configures IP address settings on devices within a network.

Question 6

Where might you find a DHCP server besides a home router?

Answer 6

In an enterprise IT environment, multiple DHCP servers are used for redundancy and to ensure continuous service availability.

Question 7

What does a file server do?

Answer 7

A file server is a centralized storage device that allows users to store and access files over a network.

Question 8

What protocols are commonly used to access file servers?

Answer 8

In Windows environments, SMB (Server Message Block) is used. In Mac OS, AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) is commonly used.

Question 9

What is the purpose of a print server?

Answer 9

A print server connects printers to the network so that multiple users can access and use the printer. It may be hardware or software-based.

Question 10

What protocols might be used with a print server?

Answer 10

Protocols include SMB (Server Message Block), IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), and LPD (Line Printer Daemon).

Question 11

What is the function of a mail server?

Answer 11

A mail server is responsible for sending and receiving emails for an organization. It is critical for communication and often managed by IT teams or outsourced to ISPs or cloud services.

Question 12

What is syslog used for?

Answer 12

Syslog is a protocol for consolidating log files from different systems into a centralized database.

Question 13

What does SIEM stand for and what is its purpose?

Answer 13

SIEM stands for Security Information and Event Management. It is used to collect, store, and analyze log files from various systems.

Question 14

What role do web servers play in an enterprise environment?

Answer 14

Web servers respond to browser requests using protocols like HTTP and HTTPS, and they build or serve web pages using languages like HTML or HTML5.

Question 15

What is an authentication server and why is it important?

Answer 15

An authentication server centralizes usernames and passwords for accessing multiple services. It is crucial for security and access management in an enterprise environment.

Question 16

What is the typical function of a spam folder in email clients?

Answer 16

A spam folder collects unsolicited or malicious emails to prevent them from reaching the user’s inbox.

Question 17

How can mail gateways help with spam management?

Answer 17

Mail gateways scan incoming mail for spam and malicious content before forwarding it to internal mail servers.

Question 18

What is a Unified Threat Management (UTM) device?

Answer 18

A UTM device consolidates multiple security functions into a single device, including URL filtering, malware detection, and firewall capabilities.

Question 19

What is the purpose of a load balancer?

Answer 19

A load balancer distributes network traffic across multiple servers to ensure even load distribution and high availability. It can also perform functions like SSL offloading and caching.

Question 20

What is a proxy server used for?

Answer 20

A proxy server sits between users and third-party services, inspecting and filtering responses to ensure security and manage access.

Question 21

What is SCADA and its primary use?

Answer 21

SCADA stands for Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. It is used for controlling and managing industrial equipment and processes.

Question 22

What are legacy systems in a data center?

Answer 22

Legacy systems are older systems that continue to provide critical services but may be running outdated hardware or software.

Question 23

What is an embedded system?

Answer 23

An embedded system is a purpose-built device with limited user access, designed to provide specific services or applications, such as security or time card systems.

Question 24

What are Internet of Things (IoT) devices?

Answer 24

IoT devices are network-connected devices that interact with other devices or systems, such as smart home appliances and security systems.

Question 25

Why might IoT devices be placed on a separate network?

Answer 25

IoT devices may be placed on a separate network to enhance security and limit access to the devices, preventing unauthorized access to other parts of the network.