Network Devices ( CompTIA Objective 2.2) Flashcards
What is a Network Interface Card( NIC)
The Fundamental Network Device. Allows a device to communicate with the internet. Every device on a network has a NIC, E.G computers, servers, printers, routers, switches, phones, tablets, cameras, etc.
Specific to the network type e.g. Ethernet, WAN, wireless, etc.
What does a Repeater do?
Receives an internet signal, regenerates it and resend. Common uses include boost copper or fiber connections. Also to Convert one network media to another. Will also extend wireless networks reach
What is a Hub?
- A “ Multi-port repeater”.
- Traffic going in one port is repeated to every other port.
- Everything is half duplex meaning that only one device can communicate at one time.
What is a con of a Hub?
It becomes less efficient as network size/ speeds increase. Also capped at lower bandwidth speeds 10mb/100mb
What is a Bridge?
- Imagine a switch with two to four ports.
- Makes forwarding decisions in software.
- Connects different physical networks
- Distributes traffic based on MAC address.
- An example of a bridge would be a WAP which connects a Wired network with a wireless one.
What are Switches?
- Bridging done in hardware
- Application - specific integrated circuit ( ASIC)
- Forwards traffic based on data link adddress
- Has many ports and features and can provide Power Over Ethernet( PoE)
- Can also be in the form of a multi layer switch which allows routing functionality.
Benefits of a Unmanaged Switch are?
- Very few configuration options ( Plug n play)
- Fixed configuration - no VLANs
- Very little integration with other devices( no management protocols such as SNMP)
- Low price point
Benefits of a Managed switch are?
- Supports VLAN
- Traffic prioritization
- Voice traffic gets a higher priority ( VOIP)
- Redundancy support via spanning Tree Protocol( STP)
- Able to use an External Management such as Simple Network Management Protocol( SNMP) -
- Able to set up Port mirroring/ Capture packets
What is a Router?
Network device that makes forwarding decisions based upon destination IP address. Can be integrated as part of a switch these are known as a Multilayer switch or “ layer 3 switches”
What is a WAP
Extends a wired network onto a wireless network.
- Makes forwarding decisions based upon MAC address similar to a bridge
- Not a wireless router. A wireless router is a router and a WAP in a single device. Routers forward traffic based upon destination IP address.
What is a Wireless LAN Controller?
- Is a centralized management of WAPs “ A single pane of glass”
- Has management functions such as deploying new access points
- Can monitor performance and security
- Report on access point use
What is the purpose of a Firewall
- Used to filter traffic based upon port number
- OSI layer 4( TCP/UDP)
- Some firewalls can filter based on application.
- Able to encrypt traffic into/out of the network and protect traffic between sites.
- Can proxy traffic confirm website requests are allowed.
- Can also be part of a layer 3 device such as a router.
What is a Cable Modem?
- Broadband
- Transmission across multiple frequencies
- Different traffic types
- Internet data is carried on a cable networks cable known as DOCSIS( Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification)
- Is considered to be a High speed network. Speeds anywhere from 4mbps up to 1 gbps.
- Cable able to carry data, voice and video.
What is a DSL Modem?
- ADSL( Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) uses telephone lines to carry internet signal( Data)
- Download speeds are faster than upload speeds.
- Has a max supported length of data cable of 10,000 feet from the central office.
- Common speeds are 52mbps/ down/ 16mbps up
What are patch panels?
- Combination of 110 punch down blocks and RJ-45 connectors
- Runs from desks are made once / Permanently Punched down to a patch panel.
- Patch panel to switch can be easily changed no special tools needed just use existing cables.
