Fundamentals of computer networks Flashcards
What is a computer network?
Two or more computers connected together in order to communicate
What is a wired network?
A network which communicates through cables connecting
computing devices to a central router, hub, or switch
What is a wireless network?
A network which communicates through radio waves
What is a personal area network (PAN)?
Blue tooth networked devices
What is an example of a personal area network (PAN)?
Wireless headphones
What is a local area network (LAN)?
Covers a small geographical area such as a building or a campus.
LANs are typically managed by a single person or organisation
What is an example of a local area network (LAN)?
School network and Home networks
What is a wide area network?
Spans a wide geographical area (cities / countries) and is typically managed by multiple persons and organisations
What is an example of a Wide area network (WAN)?
The internet
What is a topology?
The layout and design of a computer network
What is a bus network?
All computers are connected along a central backbone
What is a star network?
All computers are connected to a central device such as a switch
or a hub
What are the pros and cons of a star network?
Faster than bus, but if the central goes offline, the entire network may fail
What is a protocol?
Agreed rules and signals for communication between devices
What is ethernet (physical)?
A family of protocols relating to wired connections
What is wifi (physical)?
Wireless fidelity – a wireless connection protocol
What is TCP (connection)?
Transmission Control Protocol
What is UDP (packets)?
User Datagram Protocol – used for streaming music/video
What is IP (packets)?
Internet Protocol – Manages packets of data
What is HTTP (websites)?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol – For download web pages
What is HTTPS (websites)?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol – For download web pages but uses an encrypted connection
What is FTP (files)?
Used by server owners to upload files to web servers
What is SMTP (email)?
Simple Main Transfer Protocol – Used for sending emails
What is IMAP (email)?
Internet Message Access Protocol – Used to download emails
What is the application layer?
Where the network applications, such as web browsers and email programs operate
What is the transport layer?
Sets up the communication between two networked devices
where they can agree on the language to use and the size of the packets to send/receive
What is the network layer?
Adds addresses to packets and gets ready to send data across the network
What is the link layer?
The network interface card (NIC) and operating system drivers. Performs physical sending and receiving of data
