Network Communications Module

Question 1

What is the application layer

Answer 1

Provides network services directly to end-user applications

Applications interact with the network, where applications are able to communicate with each other, and are able to access the network.

Question 2

What are the protocols of the application layer

Answer 2

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): Used for web browsing

FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Used for file transfers

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): Used for email transmission

DNS (Domain Name System): Resolves domain names to IP addresses

Question 3

What is the transport layer

Answer 3

Ensures data is transferred reliably end-to-end, from one device to another

Manages error detection and connection. Divides data into packets, and manages flow control

Question 4

What are protocols of transport layer

Answer 4

TCP (Transport Communication Protocol): Reliable, connection-oriented communication

UDP (User Datagram Protocol): Faster, connectionless communication with no error checking

Question 5

What is the internet layer

Answer 5

Wraps data packets in an IP frame, that contains the source address and destination address

Uses the information to route and forward the data packets across network

Where it uses the IP protocol to address and route.

Question 6

What are protocols of internet layer

Answer 6

IP (Internet Protocol): Provides logical addressing

ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol): Used for error messages and operational information

ARP (Address Resolution Protocol): Maps IP addresses to physical MAC addresses

Question 7

What is the network layer

Answer 7

Handles physical transmission of data on the network, and the physical connection of devices on network.

Defines hardware addressing and the physical network medium

Question 8

What are protocols of the network layer

Answer 8

Physical Medium: Cable types, and wireless standards

MAC (Media Access Control) Address: Unique identifier for network interfaces

Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Point-to-Point Protocol

Question 9

What is the role of ip addresses

Answer 9

Unique identifier assigned to each device on network

Allows devices to identify each other and communicate across a network

Identifies the host, and provides location of host in network

Capability to establish a path to host

Question 10

What is key differences between IPv4 and IPv6

Answer 10

IPv6 has 128-bit address, IPv4 has 32-bit address = Larger address space

IPv4 addresses numeric, IPv6 address alphanumeric using hexadecimal notation

IPv6 has enhanced security

IPv6 has simplified header structure

Question 11

What is role of subnet masks

Answer 11

Separates IP addresses into network & host parts

Determine which part of IP address identifies host, which part identifies to network which it belongs

Question 12

What is subnetting

Answer 12

Practice of dividing network into two or more smaller networks (Subnets)

Optimise network performance, improve security, make network management easier

Question 13

How does subnetting improve network performance

Answer 13

Reduces congestion, increases bandwidth availability, minimises excess broadcast traffic

Simplifies troubleshooting by isolating issues to specific subnets

Question 14

How does subnetting improve data security

Answer 14

If unauthorised access on network, restricts intruders from moving laterally across entire network, contains breaches to specific subnet

Network admins can implement security policies and access controls for each subnet, ensuring information remains protected, privacy is maintained

Question 15

What is UTP in transmission media

Answer 15

Used in ethernet networks, cost-effective, easy to install

Lower bandwidth, higher latency

Question 16

What is fibre optics in transmission media

Answer 16

High bandwidth, lower latency, can cover long distances without degradation

Expensive, specialised equipment for installation

Question 17

What is wireless in transmission media

Answer 17

Electromagnetic waves to transmit data through air

Wi-Fi, satellite, cellular technologies

Mobility, ease of deployment, may be affected by environmental factors

Lower bandwidth, higher latency

Question 18

What are routers

Answer 18

Internet layer, routing packets of data between different networks based on their IP addresses

Determines best path for data to travel using routing protocols

Question 19

What is a switch

Answer 19

Network layer, connect devices within a single network

Uses MAC addresses to forward data frames to correct destination within local network

• Only operates in local network

Reduces amount of collision domains, improving performance

Question 20

What is a wireless access point (WAP)

Answer 20

Network layer, wireless devices connect to wired network using Wi-Fi

Extend wireless coverage of network, manages multiple connections simultaneously

Question 21

What is a firewall and its role

Answer 21

Internet layer, monitors & controls incoming & outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules

Intercepts all messages entering & leaving network, filters packets by blocking harmful data packets

Tracks state of active connections

Question 22

What is risks of unauthorised access in network security

Answer 22

Data theft, information like personal data, financial details, IP

System damage

Legal and compliance issues, loss of reputation and penalties

Question 23

What is preventation strategies of unauthorised access in network security

Answer 23

Use strong authentication methods

Regular updating & patching of software

Question 24

What is role of operating systems in network security

Answer 24

Control user access to network resources through user credentials & permissions

Monitors the system for vulnerabilities and analyses patterns for anomalies, providing regular software updates to stop attacks from happening

Malware protection, anti-malware and anti-virus tools

Question 25

What is bandwidth as factors that affect network performance

Answer 25

Rate at which data can be transferred over network at any given time

Higher bandwidth = More data transferred simultaneously

Low bandwidth = Slow data transfer rates

Question 26

What is network design as factors that affect network performance

Answer 26

Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, Hybrid

Efficient design reduces bottlenecks, enhances data flow, higher data rates

Poor design leads to packet loss, low network efficiency, data collisions

Question 27

What are data collisions as factors that affect network performance

Answer 27

When two devices send packets simultaneously on same network segment, causing packets to collide & corrupt

Collisions lead to congestion, reduced network speed

Collision detection minimises issues

Question 28

What is excess broadcast traffic as factors that affect network performance

Answer 28

Sending data to all network devices, regardless of intended device

Overwhelm network resources = Network slowdown

Managing & limiting broadcast traffic maintains optimal performance

Question 29

What are network diagrams

Answer 29

Draw network diagrams, represent topologies for LAN, WLAN, WAN

Symbols given in exam

Question 30

What are connections in network diagrams

Answer 30

Solid lines = Ethernet

Dotted lines = Wireless

Each connection line should be labelled with type

Question 31

What is a bus in network topologies

Answer 31

All devices share a common single communication line or a bus

Only one node can send / receive data at a time

Question 32

What is a ring in network topologies

Answer 32

All nodes connected on a medium, if a node wants to send data, adds it to the frame

Question 33

What is a star in network topologies

Answer 33

All devices connected to single central device, typically switch or hub

Question 34

What is a mesh in network topologies

Answer 34

Devices interconnected directly with many redundant interconnections between network nodes

Question 35

What is a hybrid in network topologies

Answer 35

Mixture of all types of topologies