C1. Networking Fundamentals Flashcards
What is a workstation?
It’s a seriously powerful computer with more than one CPU whose resources are available for other computers if and when needed
What is the difference between a workstation and a client?
Client machines typically ask for access to resources from a server or a powerful workstation
What is a server?
A cool computer with a superior CPU(s..), hard drive space, and memory
What is a host?
It’s a network device with some IP addresses
What are the two kinds of network topologies
Physical and logical
Define bus topology
It’s a physical network topology where all computers on the network see all the data that’s flowing through a cable; only one computer - to which data is addressed - actually gets it
What are the advantages of bus topology?
1) Easy to install
2) Not very expensive
Disadvantages of bus topology
1) Hard to troubleshoot, change, or move
2) Little fault tolerance - if central cable fails so does everything else
Define Star Topology
It’s a physical (??) WAN topology where all computers are connected to a central point with individual cables or wireless connections
What are the benefits of star topology?
1) If one cable fails, it only brings down the machine or network segments related to the point of failure
2) Scalability
3) Easy to troubleshoot
What is a device at the center of the star topology network?
It’s a hub/switch
What are the drawbacks of the star topology?
1) If the circuit hub fails, everything else does
2) There’s a high total installation cost due to the number of cables
Name two extensions of the ring topology
Wireless and point-to-point
Define the Ring topology
In the ring topology, each computer is directly connected to other computers within the same network
What are the advantages of ring topology?
1) Cable faults are easily located, making troubleshooting easier.
2) Ring networks are moderately easy to install.
Disadvantages of ring topology?
1) Expansion to the network can cause network disruption
2) A single break in the cable can disrupt the entire network.
Describe the mesh topology
In mesh, there’s a path from every machine to every other machine
Advantages of mesh topology
1) Redundant connections make a good backup - for each of n locations/hosts, we’ve got n*(n - 2)/2 connections
2) The network can be expanded without disruption to current users.
Disadvantages of mesh topology
1) Pricey cabling solution
2) Complicated implementation
Name 5 factors to consider when choosing a network topology
1) cost
2) ease of installation
3) ease of maintenance
4) fault tolerance req.
5) security
What is a LAN? How does LAN group resources?
LAN = local area network
1) it’s restricted to a particular geo location s.a. an office building, home office, etc
2) to make admin easier, often it’s best to split up big LAN into logical zones = workgroups
- LAN is a logical grouping of resources
Disadvantages of workgroups
1) you must be physically connected to workgroup’s LAN to access its resources
3) You can’t get from one LAN to another and use its server data (you connect LANs with a router)
What is a WAN?
WAN = wide area network; internet is one of them!
- WANs typically employ both routers and public links
- WANs usually need a router port or ports
- WANs span large geographic areas - and/or link disparate locales
- WANs utilize public or private data transport media s.a. phone lines
Internet is a kind of WAN that ….
connects a bunch of intranets; hosts use hardware addressing to chat with other hosts on LAN and logical addressing to communicate with hosts on other LANs
