Basic Network Devices Flashcards
What are the three forms of NIC? What technology do they use?
Ethernet. Ethernet Standard.
Wireless. 802.11
Wireless USB. 802.11
What do NICs do? What capabilities do they have?
Addresses data with the media access control (MAC) address and sends the data out as bits on the network.
Modern NICs are gigabit ethernet capable (1000 mbps).
What are repeaters?
They regenerate weak signals.
They extend the distance a signal can tarvel, they are also called extenders due to this.
In today’s networks they are foten used to regenerate signals in fiber optic cables.
Also, every network device that recieves and sedns data regenerates the signal.
What are hubs?
HUbs are legacy deviecs that connect other end devices in a form of network.
Logically they ar a from of bus topology, event if phsycially they may not be configured that way.
This means that all of the devices in the network get the traffic sent by one device, but only the correctly addressed device reads the data.
What are bridges?
Brigdes divide LANs into segments and keep track of the devices in each segment.
Birdges can filter network traffic between each segment. This helps reduce the amount of traffic between each segment.
What do switches do?
Switches microsegment LANs. What this means is that switches filter and segment network traffic, sending data only to its intended recipient. This provides higher dedicated bandwidth to each device on the network.
How do switches address data?
Switches utilise the MAC address of different devices on their switch board. This lets them address data to the correct client, without having to go through every device.
What are managed and unmanaged switches?
Managed switches come with additonal features that network administartors can use to improve the functionality and security of the network. Examples would be VLANs and port security.
Unmanaged switches have no management interface. You simply plug them in and devices into it to utilise the microsegmenting fucntionsof the switch.
What are Wireless Access Points?
They provide network access to wireless devices such as laptops and tablets.
They use radio waves to communicate with wireless NICs.
They have limited range and coverage.
Large networks require several access points.
What do routers do?
They can have all the advantages of switches and APs, but they connect networks instead of just routing traffic within a segment.
Routers forward traffic between networks using IP addresses. This is why the domain aspect of the IP address is so important.
What is an integrated router?
A router that integrates one or more devices such as switches and WAPs. It is capable of fulfilling all thier different fucntionalities.
In some networks such as PANs or home LANs it is better to have these, as it is both loss costly and more space efficient.
They may also include a modem to access the internet.
