network hardware Flashcards
what is a NIC? and what can it be used for (3)
- Network interface card.
- which is a piece of hardware inside a device that allows it to connect to networks.
- can be used for both wired and wireless connections
what are switches used for ?
to connect devices on a LAN
what are routers used for?
to transmit data between different networks, most commonly the internet.
what are the different types of cables for wired networks? (3)
- Fibre optic
- ethernet
- coaxial
how do fibre optic cables transmit data?
as light
pros of fibre optic cables(3)
- high performance
- they dont suffer interference
- can transmit over very large distances at a high bandwidth without loss of signal quality.
what are the names of the common types of ethernet cables?
CAT 5e and CAT 6
what are ethernet cables made from and why are they made this way?
they are made of pairs of twisted copper wires to reduce internal interference.
pros of ethernet cables (2)
- they are cheaper than fibre optic cables
- they have a decent bandwidth
what are ethernet used for normally (2)
- homes
- in LANs
how are coaxial cables made?(3)
single copper wire surrounded by a plastic layer for insulation and a metallic mesh that provides shielding from outside interference.
pros of coaxial cables (1)
- they are very cheap
con of coaxial (1)
low bandwidth
