Module 2: Network Components, Types, and Connections

Question 1

What is a host?

Answer 1

Any computer that is connected to a network and participates directly in network communication

Question 2

Which is the role of the hosts?

Answer 2

To act as a client, a server, or both

Question 3

What determines the role of a computer?

Answer 3

The software that is installed

Question 4

What is a server?

Answer 4

A server is a host that has software installed, which enables it to provide information to other hosts

(Each service requires separate server software)

Question 5

What is a client?

Answer 5

A client is a computer host that has software installed, which enables it to request and display the information that is received from the server

Question 6

What is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network?

Answer 6

A network whose computers act as both clients and servers

Question 7

Describe the simplest P2P network

Answer 7

A network that consists of two directly connected computers using either wired or wireless connection

Question 8

What are the advantages of P2P networks?

Answer 8

• Easy to set up
• Less complex
• Lower cost
• Useful for simple tasks (such as transferring files)

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of P2P networks?

Answer 9

• No centralized administration
• Not as secure
• Not scalable
• Slow performance

Question 10

List the hardware categories that are contained in the network infrastructure:

Answer 10

• End devices
• Intermediate devices
• Network media

Question 11

What is hardware?

Answer 11

The visible components of the network platform

Question 12

What is an end-device?

Answer 12

An end-device (or host) is either the source or destination of a message transmitted over the network

Question 13

What is a network infrastructure?

Answer 13

The path that the message takes from source to destination

The path that a message takes from its source to destination can be as simple as a single cable connecting one computer to another, or as complex as a network that literally spans the globe. This network infrastructure is the platform that supports the network. It provides the stable and reliable channel over which our communications can occur.

Question 14

What is the purpose of an address?

Answer 14

To uniquely identify a host

Question 15

What does an Internet Service Provider (ISP) do?

Answer 15

Provides the link between the home network and the internet

An ISP can be the local cable provider, a landline telephone service provider, the cellular network that provides your smartphone service, or an independent provider who leases bandwidth on the physical network infrastructure of another company.

Many ISPs also offer additional services to their contract subscribers, as shown in the figure. These services can include email accounts, network storage, and website hosting and automated backup or security services.

Question 16

How is a network being formed?

Answer 16

By each ISP connecting to other ISPs

ISPs are connected in a hierarchical manner that ensures that internet traffic generally takes the shortest path from the source to the destination.

Question 17

What does the internet backbone do?

Answer 17

It provides high-speed data links to connect the various service provider networks in major metropolitan areas around the world.

Question 18

Which are the most common methods SOHO users connect with ISPs?

Answer 18

• Cables
• DSL (Digital Subsciber Line)

Question 19

What is a cable connection?

Answer 19

It’s a high bandwidth, always on, internet connection coaxial cable.

It is typically offered by television service providers.

A special cable modem separates the internet data signal from the other signals carried on the cable and provides an Ethernet connection to a host computer or LAN.

Question 20

What is a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

Answer 20

It’s a line that provides a high bandwidth, always on, connection to the internet.

Question 21

What does DSL require to work?

Answer 21

It requires a special high-speed modem that separates the DSL signal from the telephone signal and provides an Ethernet connection to a host computer or LAN.

Question 22

DSL runs over a telephone line, with the line split into three channels. List the channels:

Answer 22

• Voice Telephone Calls
• Download
• Upload

Question 23

What does the Voice Telephone channel do?

Answer 23

Allows an individual to receive phone calls without disconnecting from the internet.

Question 24

What does the download channel do?

Answer 24

It receives information from the internet

Question 25

What does the upload channel Dom?

Answer 25

It sends or uploads information

This channel is usually slightly slower than the download channel.

Question 26

What does the DSL connection quality depend mainly on?

Answer 26

The distance between the phone line and the central office of the phone company.

Question 27

What is a cellular internet connection?

Answer 27

Is the connection that the user connects to the internet through a cell phone network.

Question 28

How does the cellular connection work?

Answer 28

When the user has a cellular signal, the user is provided with cellular access.

Question 29

Which are the limitations and drawbacks of cellular connections.

Answer 29

Limitations:
- Performance is limited by the capabilities of the cell phone and the cell tower to which is connected.
- The carrier usually meters the bandwidth usage of the connection and may charge extra for bandwidth that exceeds the contract data plan.

Question 30

Who does the cellular connection benefit?

Answer 30

• People who live in areas where the internet is not accessible
• People who are constantly on the move

Question 31

What does the satellite connection require to work?

Answer 31

Require a clear line of sight to the satellite.

Question 32

What are the limitations of satellite connection?

Answer 32

• Equipment and installation costs can be high (although check the provider for special deals), with a moderate monthly fee thereafter.

Question 33

What are the benefits of satellite connection?

Answer 33

• The availability of satellite internet access

Question 34

What is the dial-up telephone internet connection?

Answer 34

Is the connection in which the user uses any phone line and a modem and calls the ISP access phone number to connect.

Question 35

What are the limitations of dial-up telephone connection?

Answer 35

• Low bandwidth

Question 37

In metropolitan areas, many apartments and small offices are being connected directly with fiber-optic cables. What does this do?

Answer 37

This enables an internet service provider to provide higher bandwidth speeds and support more services.

The choice of connection varies depending on geographical location and service provider availability.