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Computer Science > Computer communications and networking > Flashcards

Computer communications and networking Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a network?

A

A collection of connected computers plus their peripherals

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2
Q

What is a device on a network called?

A

Node

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3
Q

What is a LAN?

A

Local area network

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4
Q

What is a WAN?

A

Wide area network

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5
Q

Advantages of a LAN

A
  • Makes data sharing easier
  • Makes backups easier
  • Computers are easily updated/reconfigured
  • Computers can be monitored easily
  • Users can communicate with each other
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6
Q

Disadvantages of a LAN

A
  • Specialist staff needed for maintenance
  • Network problems could affect all users
  • Security may be a problem because data is accessible from many places
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7
Q

Differences between a LAN and WAN

A
  • A LAN is confined to one site

- A LAN is owned and maintained by a single organisation but a WAN may not

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8
Q

What is a network interface controller (NIC)?

A

A device that generates and receives suitable electrical signals. It holds the MAC address of each node.

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9
Q

What is a MAC address?

A

Media access control address.

Allows a node on a network to be identified.

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10
Q

What are fibre-optic cables?

A

Cables that transmit data using light waves

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11
Q

What is a network hub?

A

Hardware that connects many network devices together into a single network segment.

A signal arriving at one is transmitted to all others

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12
Q

What are switches? (No, not the lightbulb switches)

A

Devices that connect multiple network segments or devices.

Messages are only sent to the intended device

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13
Q

What is the difference between hubs and switches?

A

Hubs transmit a message to all devices connected to it

However
Switches transmit a message to an intended device

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14
Q

What are bridges?

A

Devices that connect more than one network together

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15
Q

What are wireless access points?

A

Devices often connected to a router which allow a connection to a LAN without the need for cables

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16
Q

What features do wireless access points have to protect them from security risks?

A
  • encryption
  • hiding their broadcast identities
  • allowing access to only certain MAC addresses
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17
Q

What is a router?

A

A device that receives data in the form of packets and forwards them to their destination.

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18
Q

What is a client-server network?

A

Where one or more servers provide services to many client machines where the users work

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19
Q

What is a server?

A

Computers that handle network functions

20
Q

Types of servers

A
  • database server
  • file server
  • mail server
  • print server
  • web server
  • gaming server
21
Q

What is a peer-to-peer network?

A

Where each computer in the network carries out the needs of the user as well as carrying out network functions

22
Q

Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks

A
  • maintenance is more difficult than with a client-server network
  • security is poor
  • tend to be slow due to the amount of multitasking
23
Q

Advantages of a peer-to-peer networks

A
  • easy to set up

- files can be shared directly between users without the need to go through web servers

24
Q

What is the advantage of a client-server network?

A

The network functions are handled by dedicated machines and clients can provide for the immediate needs of the users

25
Q

What is a network topology?

A

The layout of the network components; cabling and position of the nodes

26
Q

What does a bus topology look like?

A

The computers and other devices are attached to a single backbone.
[INSERT BUS TOPOLOGY DIAGRAM]

27
Q

Advantages of a bus topology

A
  • easy to set up

- cheap

28
Q

Disadvantages of a bus topology

A
  • problems with the backbone can bring the whole network down
  • can only cover a limited distance
  • many data collisions can slow the network down
29
Q

What does a star topology look like?

A

Client machines are connected to a central hub or switch which is usually connected to a server.

[INSERT STAR TOPOLOGY DIAGRAM]

30
Q

Advantages of a star topology

A
  • robust - problems with a connection do not affect the whole network
  • fewer data collisions than bus so faster
31
Q

Disadvantages of a star topology

A
  • needs more expertise to maintain

- can be expensive to set up - more network hardware and software needed

32
Q

What does a ring topology look like?

A

Data passes through each node, carried in data units called tokens

33
Q

Advantages of a ring topology

A
  • very fast - no collisions
34
Q

Disadvantages of a ring topology

A
  • problems with the backbone can bring the whole network down
  • data passes through every node - network vulnerable to malfunctions
35
Q

What is a protocol?

A

A set of rules that covers data communications

Allows different networks and devices to talk to each other

36
Q

What is the de facto standard for data transmission over the Internet?

A

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

TCP/IP

37
Q

What is a host?

A

A computer system that is accessed remotely and holds data or other facilities such as web servers

38
Q

What are packets?

A

Collections of data forming part of a message

39
Q

What is IP concerned with?

A

The construction of packets

40
Q

What is TCP concerned with?

A

The connection of hosts

41
Q

What is packet switching?

A

Packets from a particular message may take different routes according to availability and traffic conditions, and form a complete message at the receiving end

42
Q

What is the advantage of packet switching?

A

It improves the reliability of sending messages because of one route is down or congested, another can be found

43
Q

What is an IP (Internet Protocol) address?

A

A 32-bit number so computers can be identified on a network

44
Q

What is static addressing?

A

Permanently allocated IP addresses

45
Q

What is dynamic addressing?

A

IP addresses that can be changed- a computer may not always have the same IP address

46
Q

What is a MAC (Media Access Control) address?

A

A unique number number stored in each NIC so it can be used to inset icy a device on a network

Computer Science (6 decks)

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