Module 4 - Unit 1 - Networking Concepts

Question 1

What defines a computer network?

Answer 1

A network is two or more computers systems linked together by some form of transmission medium that enables them to share information.

Question 2

What are network clients?

Answer 2

Network clients are computers and software that allow users to request resources shared by and hosted on servers.

Question 3

What is a computer network within a location?

Answer 3

Local area Network (LAN)

Question 4

What is a computer network located at varying geographical locations?

Answer 4

Wide Area Networks (WAN)

Question 5

Who are companies that operate national telephone networks

Answer 5

Telecommunications companies (telcos)

Question 6

What are the endpoints of network called?

Answer 6

Nodes or hosts

Question 7

What signals are commonly found in a wired connection?

Answer 7

Electrical or light signals

Question 8

What type of signal is transmitted in a wireless connection?

Answer 8

Radio signals

Question 9

Define the functions of network protocols

Answer 9

An established set of rules that define how data is communicated between each hosts or nodes on a network.

Question 10

Describe what a network packet is

Answer 10

A packet is a wrapper for each data unit transmitted over the network. A packet generally consists of a header (indicating the protocol type, source address, destination address, error correction information, and so on) and a payload (the data).

Question 11

What is generally contained in the header of a network packet?

Answer 11

i) Type of Protocol,
ii) Origin address,
iii) Destination address,
iv) Error Correction,
v) Other Metadata

Question 12

What is the prototype computer network funded by the DoD in late 60s to early 70s, for the purpose of connecting research institutions?

Answer 12

Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET)

Question 13

What type of network is ARPANET?

Answer 13

Packet Switching Network

Question 14

How are computers connected prior to the development of a packet-switching network?

Answer 14

Computers are connected using a direct channel known as a circuit. If the circuit is broken, all computers would fail.

Question 15

What is one feature packet switching network can do a circuit network cannot?

Answer 15

The ability to forward information from one computer to another

Question 16

How is it ensured that information is sent to the correct host within a packet switching network?

Answer 16

Each packet in the network is addressed with a source and destination address together with other necessary information.

Question 17

What is the host that is capable of performing forwarding function?

Answer 17

Router

Question 18

In what way is a packet-switching network robust?

Answer 18

It has the ability to recover from communication link failures, such as transmission line failures or when a router fails to respond. This is done by re-routing data packet.

Question 19

True or False: When a transmission process momentarily failed on a packet-switching network, the re-transmission process requires it to start all over.

Answer 19

False. Data is send in small chunks (packets). When some data are lost or damaged during transmission causing a momentarily failure, the re-transmission will only need to re-send the lost or damaged data packets.

Question 20

What is the primary protocol of the Internet?

Answer 20

TCP/IP

Question 21

What are the layers of in the TCP/IP model?

Answer 21

i) Application layer
ii) Transport layer
iii) Internet (Network) layer
iv) Link /Network Interface (Physical) layer

Question 22

What is the function of the Link/Network Interface (Physical) layer?

Answer 22

It is responsible for putting frames onto the physical network; to define how a computer connects to a network. Data at this layer is packaged into a unit called frame.

Question 23

What is the function of the Internet (Network) layer?

Answer 23

Encapsulates packets into Internet datagrams and deals with routing between different networks. It consist of three key protocols: Internet Protocol (IP), Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) and Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP).

Question 24

What is the function of the Internet Protocol (IP) in the network layer?

Answer 24

It is responsible for logical addressing and routing of packets between hosts and networks.

Question 25

What is the function of the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) in the network layer?

Answer 25

Matches and locate the MAC Address by the IP address designated to the device

Question 26

What is the function fo the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) in the network layer?

Answer 26

Sends messages and reports on errors regarding packet delivery