Computer Networks Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a network

A

A network is two of more devices connected together with the purpose of sharing resources

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2
Q

What is a local area network

A

A local area network (LAN) is a network which has a small geographical area

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3
Q

What is a wide area network

A

A wide area network (LAN) is a network which has a large geographical area

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4
Q

What are the factors that affect network performance

A

Number of Users
Bandwidth
Latency
Error Rate
Transmission Media

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5
Q

How does the number of users affect a network

A

Too many users can cause the network to slow down if there is not enough bandwidth for all of the data being sent and received

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6
Q

What is bandwidth

A

Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be sent and received at any given time

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7
Q

How does bandwidth affect a network

A

A smaller bandwidth means that less data can be sent and the network can slow down, potentially to the point of becoming unusable

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8
Q

What is latency

A

Latency is the delay between data being sent and received

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9
Q

How does latency affect a network

A

If there is a big delay between the two, more data will be on the network causing collisions

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10
Q

What is error rate

A

the measure of how many packets of data do not reach their destination

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11
Q

What is Transmission media

A

the type of cable used in wired connections

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12
Q

How does error rate affect a network

A

An increased error rate occurs in less reliable connections - a poor wireless signal would be a contributing factor to an increased error rate

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13
Q

How does transmission media affect a network

A

Wired connections offer a higher bandwidth than wireless connections

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14
Q

What is a Client-Server model

A

A client is a computer on the network, these connect to the server via a switch

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15
Q

What is a server

A

A server is a computer on a network which often has a single purpose

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16
Q

What are the advantages of client severs

A

-Managing backups of the network is easier as it is done from one central point
-Updating and installing new software can be done centrally
-Security of files can be managed easily

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17
Q

What are the disadvantages of a client server

A

-Servers can be expensive to purchase, setup and maintain
-A specialist network manager would be required as servers require specialist IT knowledge
-Servers can be a single point of failure, meaning all users would lose access to the network if the server fails

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18
Q

What is a Peer-to-Peer model

A

A peer is a computer on a network which is equal to all other computers

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19
Q

What are the advantages of a peer-peer server

A

-Very easy to set up and maintain
-Very cheap to set up because there is no expensive hardware to purchase
-No specialist knowledge or staff are required to run the network

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20
Q

What are the disadvantages of a peer-peer server

A

-Users will need to manage their own backups
-Users will need to manage their own software updates
-The network can be less secure

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21
Q

What is a router

A

The router is responsible for routing data packets between different networks

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22
Q

What is a wireless access point (WAP)

A

The Wireless Access Point (WAP) allows wireless devices to connect to a local area network (LAN)

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23
Q

What is a switch

A

A Switch allows multiple wired devices to connect to a local area network (LAN)

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24
Q

What is a network interface card (NIC)

A

The Network Interface Card (NIC) is required for a computer to connect to a network

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25
Q

What is the Internet

A

The Internet is a collection of networks spanning the whole world

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26
Q

What is a domain name system

A

a directory of domain names and is used to translate human-readable domain names to the numeric IP addresses that computers use

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27
Q

What are web servers

A

Web servers are dedicated servers that store web pages/websites and other resources

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28
Q

What are clients

A

Clients are end-users who make requests of web servers

29
Q

What is hosting

A

Hosting is the storing of websites, files and other content on servers

30
Q

What is the cloud

A

The cloud is a collection of servers which are used to store data, applications and files over the internet

31
Q

What is a URL

A

Uniform Resource Locator: The web address typed into a web browser

32
Q

What is a ISP

A

Internet Service Provider: the company that provides internet services to you

33
Q

What is a network topology

A

A network topology is the physical structure of the network

34
Q

What is a star topology

A

A star topology has a central switch which all other devices connect to

35
Q

What is a mesh topology

A

A mesh topology allows all computers to be connected to all other computers

36
Q

What is Ethernet

A

Ethernet is a wired networking standard to carry electrical signals between devices

37
Q

What are the advantages of wired connections

A

Speed - Fast data transfer
Security - Better physical security

Range - High (up to 100m), less susceptible to interference

38
Q

What are the disadvantages of wired connections

A

Portability - Can’t move easily, location is limited by physical cable
Cost - Need more cables to add a new device
Safety - Cables can be trip hazards, need routing along walls, under floors

39
Q

What are advantages of wireless connections

A

Portability - Easy to move around, location is only limited by range
Cost - Less expensive to setup and add new devices
Compatibility - Most devices are manufactured with a built in Wi-Fi adapter

40
Q

What are the disadvantages of wireless connections

A

Speed - Slower data transfer than Ethernet
Security - Less secure than Ethernet
Range - Relies on signal strength to the WAP, signals can be obstructed (up to 90m)

41
Q

What is encryption

A

Encryption is a method of scrambling data before being transmitted across a network in order to protect the contents from unauthorised access

42
Q

How is wireless data encrypted

A

-Wireless networks are identified by a ‘Service Set Identifier’ (SSID) which along with a password is used to create a ‘master key’
-When devices connect to the same wireless network using the SSID and password they are given a copy of the master key
-The master key is used to encrypt data into ‘cipher text’, before being transmitted
-The receiver uses the same master key to decrypt the cipher text back to ‘plain text’

43
Q

How is wired data encrypted

A

Using a master key to encrypt data and the same key to decrypt data

44
Q

What is an IP address

A

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier given to devices which communicate over the Internet (WAN)

45
Q

What is a MAC address

A

A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier given to devices which communicate over a local area network (LAN)

46
Q

What is a standard

A

A computing standard is a set of guidelines that when used with different hardware and software allows them to work with each other and allow data exchange

47
Q

What are the Examples of computer standards

A

HTML
Ethernet
USB
Wi-Fi

48
Q

What is HTML

A

A standard for creating websites that allows them to be viewed on the World Wide Web (WWW) using web browser software

49
Q

What is Wi-Fi

A

A standard that allows wireless devices to communicate on a local area network (LAN)

50
Q

What is a protocol

A

A protocol is a set of rules that govern communication on a network

51
Q

What is TCP

A

TCP is responsible for making sure communication between two routers is error free

52
Q

What is IP

A

IP is responsible for making sure data is delivered to the right device on a wide area network (WAN)

53
Q

What is HTTP

A

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) allows communication between clients and servers for website viewing

54
Q

What is HTTPS

A

HTTPS is used to protect sensitive information such as passwords, financial information and personal data

55
Q

What is FTP

A

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) allows sending and receiving files between computers

56
Q

What is SMTP

A

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is a protocol that allows communication between an email sender and the email server, and between different email servers using the internet

57
Q

What is POP

A

Post Office Protocol (POP) is a protocol for downloading emails to a device from an email server

58
Q

What is IMAP

A

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a protocol for downloading emails to a device from an email server

59
Q
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61
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62
Q
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63
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64
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65
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66
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67
Q

What is a layer

A

-A layer is a sub part of a more complex task
-Dividing network tasks into layers reduces the complexity and makes each layer more manageable

68
Q

What are the 4 layers

A

-Application layer
-Transport layer
-Internet layer
-Network layer

69
Q

What are the advantages of layers

A

-Layers are self-contained which makes managing, repairing and upgrading easier as each layer can be worked on independent of other layers
-Layers allow for focus on specific parts of a protocol without affecting other layers