Introduction to Networks Flashcards
(108 cards)
1
Q
What is a Network?
A
Two or more conected computers that can share resources such as data, apps, office machines, an internet connection, or some combination of these elements.
2
Q
What language is used between “hosts”
A
Binary Code
3
Q
What kind of devices are used to connect other devices into a network?
A
Hubs and Switches
4
Q
What is used to connect different networks together?
A
Routers
5
Q
What is a LAN
A
Local Area Network
6
Q
What are the typical area of responsibilities for a LAN?
A
Geographic locations like an office building, a single department within an corporate office, or a home office.
7
Q
If you broke down a large LAN into smaller logical zones, what would those zones be called?
A
workgroups
8
Q
In a typical business setting how might you divide a LAN amongst the divisions?
A
Seperate workgroups for deptartments like accounting, marketing, sales, etc.
9
Q
If you have a LAN (1) for one department, but another department on a seperate LAN (2) wants to use resources only available at LAN (1), what device would be needed to allow for LAN (2) to access LAN (1) assets?
A
A router
10
Q
What is the benefit of a smaller workinggroup compared to a larger one?
A
Large working groups are slower because there are more hosts trying to get resources simultaneously. Smaller working groups have less competition for resources and are able to work faster.
11
Q
What is a workstation?
A
Seriously powerful computers that run more than one CPU (central processing unit), and whose resources are available to other users on the network.
12
Q
What is a client machine?
A
Any device on the network that can ask for access to resources like a printer or other hosts FROM a server or a powerful workstation.
13
Q
What is a server?
A
Also a powerful computer, that run specialized software (network operating system) to maintain and cotrol the network
14
Q
In an optimal design how is a server specialized?
A
Specialized to handle one labor intensive job. It results in better performance of the server.
15
Q
What is a File Server’s function?
A
stores and dispenses files
16
Q
What is a mail server’s function?
A
Handles email functions (Network post office)
17
Q
What is the Print Server’s Function?
A
Manages printers on the network.
18
Q
What is the Web Server’s function?
A
Manages web-based activities by running HTTP for storing web content and accessing web pages
19
Q
What is HTTP?
A
Hypertext Transfer Protocol
20
Q
What is the Fax Server’s function?
A
“memo maker”. Sends and receives paperless faxes over the network
21
Q
What is the Application Server’s function?
A
Manages network applications
22
Q
What is the Telephomy Server’s function?
A
Handles the call center and call routing. The network answering machine.
23
Q
What is the function of the Proxy Server?
A
Handles task in place of other machines on the Network (particularly an internet connection)
24
Q
How can a server maintain a network’s data integrity?
A
By backing up the network software and providing redundant hardware.
25
Since servers tend to serve many client machines what characteristics must they have?
Superior CPUs, extensive Hard drive space, and large memory.
26
Where should a server be located and why?
A very secure area. They are expensive and store sensitive compaby information.
27
What is a host?
Network devices, including workstations and servers, with IP addresses.
28
What is TCP/IP?
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
29
What is WAN?
Wide Area Network. Used to span large geographic distance.
30
What is the most widely used WAN?
The Internet
31
What would be considered faster? WAN or LAN
LAN is generally faster than a WAN
32
What is internetwork?
Basically the Internet. It is a type of LAN and/or WAN that connects a bunch of networks (intranets).
33
In an internetwork, what do hosts use to communicate with other hosts on the LAN?
hardware addresses
34
How do hosts in an internetwork communicate with hosts on DIFFERENT LANs?
logical addresses (IP Address)
35
What allows for different hosts, on different networks, to communicate using their IP addresses?
Routers
36
What is each connection into a router considered?
A different logical network
37
What is a distributed WAN?
internetwork that is made up of a lot of interconnected computers located in a lot of different places.
38
What is a centralized WAN?
A WAN that is composed of a main, centrally located computer or location that remote computers and devices can connect to (remote offices connecting to the corporate office)
39
What is considered one of the most popular WAN protocols?
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MLPS)
40
What are some key advantages of MLPS over other WAN technologies?
Physical layout flexibility, prioritizing of data, redundancy in case of link failure, One to many connections.
41
What is Multiprotocol Label Switching (MLPS)
A switching mechanism that imposes labels (numbers) to data and then uses those labels to forward data when it arrives at the MPLS network.
42
How is the forwarding accomplished within the MPLS network (cloud)?
Solely based on labels, and prioritized based on those labels.
43
In "peer to peer" networks, what does it mean "they are all peers"?
They are all equal.
44
In a peer to peer network, which device as the authority to perform a security check?
Whichever computer that has the desired resource being requested.
45
Are the computers in a peer to peer network client machines or server machines?
They can be both client machines that are requesting resources, and server machines that are providing those resources to other computers.
46
Peer to peer networks are okay for small networks, but what is one big drawback?
Security orientated challenges. And backing up data can be difficult.
47
How can security be complicated for the user on a peer to peer network?
Security is not centrally governed, so each person would need to maintain a list of usernames and passwords for each machine.
48
How is a Client-server network different from a "peer to peer" network?
A single server uses a network operating system for managing the whole network.
49
In a client-server network, explain the process of a client machine requesting a resource.
The request goes to the main server, which handles security and directing the client to the desired resource.
50
How is accessing resources easier on a client-server compared to a "peer to peer" server?
The client-server is organized, and doesn't rely on the user remembering where the resource is. All the resources are in one spot, on the server.
51
How is security tighter on a client-server network compared to a peer to peer network?
All user names and passwords are on the specific server, and it is never used as a workstation.
52
How is the scalability of a client-server network?
It is vast, as you can have many workstations added to it without affecting the networks performance.
53
What is the difference between physical topology and logical topology? (of a network)
Physical topology gives you the "lay of the land" (where workstations are located, and arrangement of cables), while logical topology shows how the digital signal navigates through the layout.
54
What are the common physical topologies?
Bus, star, ring, mesh, point-to-point, point-to-midpoint and hybrid.
55
What is the most basic topology in regards to networks?
Bus Topology
56
What are the physical characteristics of a Bus Topology?
2 distinct and terminated ends. Each computer connected by 1 unbroken cable. The devices are likely connected to the main cable by a "T".
57
What is a benefit of a Bus Topology?
Easy to install and inexpensive.
58
What are some drawbacks of a Bus Topology?
Hard to trouble shoot, an error would bring down the whole system (poor fault tolerance). It is difficult to change or move.
59
What is fault tolerance?
Capability of a computer (or network) to respond to a condition automatically, resolve it and reduce its impact on the whole system.
60
What are the characteristics of a Star Topology?
Computers connected to a central point (cabled or wireless). The center is normally a switch, a hub, or an access point.
61
Why is a star topology more fault tolerant and easier to trouble shoot, compared to a bus topology?
Each computer is connected to the center device individually, so if the cable or the computer fails it only brings down the one network segment related to the point of failure. Everything not failing still works.
62
How would you scale up a star topology?
Simply adding another cable to the machine at the center of the star.
63
What could bring down a star topology network?
If the central hub, or switch, or access point were to fail. . This is a single point of failure.
64
What is a point to point link in a star topology?
When one of the cables connects to another hub (switch, access point) extending the network.
65
When discussing a star topology, what is an access point referring to?
Its basically a wireless hub or switch.
66
Decribe a ring topology.
Each computer is connected to other computers in the same network. The cable leads from one to the other and eventually back to the source, forming a ring. This is how the data moves between them all.
67
Similar to a bus topology, what is a drawback to scaling up a ring topology?
You have to break the cable ring, which stops the communication bringing down the network.
68
Would a ring topology be described as fault tolerant?
No. any fault in the lines or computers will bring the whole network down. And locatingthe fault is more difficult as you need to trouble shoot each section to see where it came from.
69
Desribe the physical layout of a mesh topology.
There is a cable path from every machine, leading to every other machine.
70
What is the benefit of multiple connections leading to and from each computer in a mesh topology?
Each cable produces redundancy, or a back up. This makes it a more fault tolerant system. If 1 cable falls there are still other cables in place moving the data.
71
What are some drawbacks of a mesh topology?
More expensive and more complicated then other network topologies. It really only works well in small LANs.
72
What is a point to point topology?
You have a direct connection between 2 routers or switches (this is the communication path)
73
If 2 routers in a point to point network are connected via a cable what is that considered?
Physical network
74
If 2 routers are located far apart they must be connected by a circuit within a Frame Relay or an MPLS network. What is that called?
Logical Network.
75
What is the topology when you have 1 router that connects to many destination routers?
Point-to-multipoint
| think Corporate Office to many Branch Offices
76
What is it called when you mix together different topology styles to fit your network requirements?
Hybrid Topology
77
What topology would you choose if the company plans on expanding down the road? As in the network will grow?
Star topology, and maybe even a wireless star topology. With the star you can easily add new devices without bringing down the system.
78
What topology would you choose to install if a company could only allow for a downtime of 8 hours a year?
You would want the mesh, but realistically it would be likely a mesh hybrid or partial mesh of some creation.
79
What are the considerations you must take into account when coming up with an ideal network topology set up?
Cost, ease of installation, ease of maintenance, fault tolerance requirement, and security requirement.
80
What is a network backbone?
It is what all the network segments and servers connect, and what gives the network its structure.
81
Why should the backbone of a network have fast and advanced technology?
All the segments ideally will be connected directly to it. To have optimal network performance the backbone must be powerful.
82
What is a segment of a network?
Any small section of the network that may be connected to, but is not a piece of, the backbone.
83
Place workstations and servers using segments and backbone concepts.
Servers and workstations can be organized into segments that connect to the network's backbone.
84
Define a CAN
Campus area network. Encompasses several buildings. It makes up the part of a network where data, services and connectivity to the outside world is provided to those that work in the corporate office.
85
Define SAN
Storage Area Networks. Made of high capacity storage devices that are connected by a high speed private network using a storage specific switch.
86
What are the 3 basic LAN topologies?
Bus, ring, and star
87
What common WAN topology often results in multiple connections to a single site (leading to a high degree of fault tolerance) and has one to many connections?
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MLPS)
88
What is a term for a device that shares its resources with other network devices?
Server
89
What network model draws a clear distinction between devices that share their resources and devices that do not?
Client-Server
90
Which network topology or connection can be implemented with only 2 endpoints.
Point-to-point
91
What device is generally implemented in a star topology?
Hub or Switch
92
What does MPLS stand for?
Multiprotocol Label Switching
93
What does WAN stand for?
Wide Area Network
94
Will a computer that shares no resources most likely be connected to the backbone or to a segment?
Segement
95
Which LAN topology is characterized by all devices being daisy-chained together with the devices at each end being connected to only one other device?
Bus
96
You need a network that provides centralized authentication for your users. What topology do you go with?
Client Server. Centralized data base so authentication is in one place.
97
You need a scalable topology, what is your best option?
Star. This Hub or Switch device is the most common LAN network to date.
98
Which topology has the most physical connections and is the least popular for LANs?
Mesh. It has point to point connections to every device.
99
In a physical star topology, what happens when a workstation loses its physical connection to another device?
Only that station loses its ability to communicate.
100
Which type of a WAN technology uses labels, which enables priority of voice through the network?
MPLS
101
What is the logical grouping of network users and resources called?
A logical grouping of hosts is called a LAN, and you typically group them by connecting them to a hub or switch.
102
What network is used when a centralized office needs to communicate with many branch offices?
Point-to-multipoint
103
In what type of network are all computers considered equal and do not share any central authority?
Peer-to-peer
104
What advantage does a client-server architecture have over peer-to-peer?
Easier maintenance, greater organization, tighter security.
105
You have a network with multiple LANs and want to keep them separate but still connect them together so they can all get to the internet. What do you need to do this?
Routers are used to connect different networks together.
106
Which topology has the greatest number of physical connections?
Mesh
107
What type of topology gives you a direct connection between 2 routers so that there is one communication path?
Point-to-point
108
Which network topology is a combination of 2 or more types of physical or two or more types of logical topologies?
Hybrid
