Chap 6: LANs

Question 1

LAN

Answer 1

A local area network is a group of microcomputers or other workstation devices located within a small or confined area and are connected by a common cable. A LAN can be part of a larger backbone network connected to other LANs, a host mainframe, or public networks

Question 2

3 Features of a LAN

Answer 2

1. the small confined area in which it operates
2. very high speed transmissions
3. LANs operate outside the government-regulated communication environment, because their circuits do not cross public thoroughfares (roads) and, therefore, do not require licensing or regulatory approvals to operate.

Question 3

2 reasons for LAN

Answer 3

Information sharing and resource sharing

Question 4

Information Sharing

Answer 4

is improved decision making. More important than resource sharing.

Question 5

Resource Sharing

Answer 5

refers to one computer sharing a hardware device (e.g., printer) or software package with other computers on the network, in order to save costs.

Question 6

4 common LAN dedicated servers

Answer 6

file servers, database servers, print servers, communication servers.

Question 7

File Servers

Answer 7

allow many users to share the same set of files on a common, shared disk drive

Question 8

Database Server

Answer 8

more powerful than a file server. provides shared access to the files on the server, performs database processing on those files associated with client-server computing. reduce the amount of data moved between the server and the client workstation.
minimize data loss and prevent widespread data inconsistencies if the system fails.

Question 9

Print Servers

Answer 9

handle print requests on the LAN.

Question 10

Communication Servers

Answer 10

dedicated to performing communication processing. fax server, access servers and modem servers which handle users to dial into (access) and out of (modem) the LAN by telephone.

Question 11

Software Ways to Improve Network Performance

Answer 11

• Upgrade to a faster Network Operating System
• Fine-tune the Network Operating System settings (such as the amount of memory used for disk caches, the number of simultaneously open files, the amount of buffer space)

Question 12

Hardware Ways to Improve Network

Answer 12

• Add more servers and spread the network applications across the servers to balance the load
• Upgrade to a faster computer
• Increase the server’s memory
• Increase the number and speed of the server’s hard disk(s)
• Upgrade to a faster NIC

Question 13

Network Segmentation

Answer 13

break network into smaller parts.occurs when there is more traffic on a LAN than the network circuit and media access protocol can handle

Question 14

Collision Avoidance

Answer 14

goal of network design: minimize data collisions that can lead to data loss