Chapter 1 - Networking Today

Question 1

What Types of Servers Are There?

Answer 1

• email
• web
• file

Question 2

What is an End Device?

Answer 2

Where a message originates from or where it is received.

Data originates with an end device, flows through the network and arrives at an end device.

Question 3

What is an Intermediary Device and its Role?

Answer 3

This connects end devices via switches, wireless access points, routers and firewalls.
Its role is to manage data as it flows through the network, by:
- regenerating and retransmitting signals
- maintaining information about the existing pathways
- notifying other devices of errors and communication failures

Question 4

What are the Types of Medium in a Network?

Answer 4

• metal wires in cables (electrical impulses)
• glass/plastic fibres in cables (light pulses)
• wireless (electromagnetic waves)

Question 5

What are the Types of Topology Diagrams?

Answer 5

• Physical: illustrate the physical location of intermediary devices and cable installation
• Logical: illustrate devices, ports and the addressing scheme of the network

Question 6

What are the Most Common Types of Networks?

Answer 6

LAN

  - interconnects end devices in a limited area
  - administered by a single organisation/individual
  - provides high-speed bandwidth to internal devices

WAN

   - interconnects LANs over wide geographical areas
   - administered by one or more service providers
   - provide slower speed links between LANs

Intranet: a private collection of LANs and WANs internal to an organisation that is meant to be accessible only to the organisations members

Extranet: used to provide secure access to a network for individuals who work for a different organisation that need access to their data on the network

Question 7

Types of Internet Connections for SOHO

Answer 7

• Cable: high bandwidth, always on, internet offered by cable TV service providers
• DSL: high bandwidth, always on, connection that runs over a telephone line
• Cellular: uses a cell phone network to connect to the internet
• Satellite: beneficial to those in rural areas with ISPs
• Dial-up Telephone: an inexpensive, low bandwidth option using a modem

Question 8

Types of Internet Connections for Business

Answer 8

• Dedicated Leased Line: reserved circuits within the service providers network that connect distant offices with private voice/data networking
• Ethernet WAN: extends LAN access technology into the WAN
• DSL: available in various formats for businesses –> SDSL
• Satellite: provides a connection when a wired solution is not available

Question 9

What is a Converged Network?

Answer 9

Carries multiple services on one link including data, voice and video. These can all be delivered over the same network infrastructure as it uses all the same rules and standards.

Question 10

What is Network Architecture?

Answer 10

This refers to the technologies that support the infrastructure that moves data across the network. The four basic characteristics are:

° Fault Tolerance: limits the impact of a failure by limiting affected devices, only possible with packet switched networks

° Scalability: a network that has the ability to expand quickly and be able to easily support new users/applications

° Quality of Service (QoS): ensures reliable delivery of content for all users

° Security: the physical security of devices as well as preventing unauthorised access to devices

Question 11

What Are Some Examples of Recent Networking Trends?

Answer 11

• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
• Online Collaboration
• Video Communication
• Cloud Computing

Question 12

What is Powerline Networking?

Answer 12

Allows devices to connect to a LAN where data network cables or wireless communications are not a viable option.
Using a standard powerline adapter, devices can connect to the LAN wherever there is an electrical outlet by sending data on certain frequencies.

Question 13

What is Network Security?

Answer 13

An integral part of networking regardless of the network size. It must take into account the environment when securing the data but still allow for the QoS that is expected. Security involves many protocols, technologies, devices, tools and techniques in order to secure data and mitigate threats.

Question 14

What Types of Threats Are There?

Answer 14

Internal

• lost or stolen devices
• accidental misuse by employees
• malicious employees

External

• viruses, worms, trojan horses
• spyware, adware
• zero day attacks
• denial of service (DoS) attacks
• data interception and theft
• identify theft

Question 15

What Are Some Vital Security Measures

Answer 15

• antivirus and antispyware software
• firewall filtering
• dedicated firewall system
• intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
• virtual private networks (VPN)