Networking

Question 1

What is a network?

Answer 1

Two or more computers connected together that transmit data.

Question 2

What are protocols?

Answer 2

Sets of rules defining how two devices communicate with each other.

Question 3

Why are protocols standard?

Answer 3

So that devices from different manufacturers don’t have problems communicating.

Question 4

Describe the structure of the Internet.

Answer 4

The Internet is a global network of interconnected networks.

Question 5

What does TCP stand for?

Answer 5

Transmission Control Protocol.

Question 6

What does IP stand for?

Answer 6

Internet Protocol.

Question 7

What is the function of the application layer during data transmission?

Answer 7

The Application Layer specifies what protocols need to be used to relate the application to what it’s being used for.

Question 8

What is the role of the transport layer during data transmission?

Answer 8

Establishes an end-to-end connection between the source and recipient computers. It also splits up the data into packets.

Question 9

What is the role of the network layer during data transmission?

Answer 9

Adds the source and destination IP addresses.

Question 10

What is the function of the link layer during data transmission?

Answer 10

Adds the MAC addresses to the packet.

Question 11

What does the application layer do when it receives data?

Answer 11

Presents data in the form it was sent.

Question 12

What does the transport layer do when it receives the data?

Answer 12

Removes the port number and reassembles the packets.

Question 13

What does the network layer do when it receives the data?

Answer 13

Removes the IP addresses.

Question 14

What does the link layer do when it receives the data?

Answer 14

Removes the MAC addresses.

Question 15

What is a local area network?

Answer 15

A network spread over a small geographical area positioned on a single site.

Question 16

What is a wide area network?

Answer 16

A network spread over a large geographical area usually requiring extra hardware.

Question 17

What does DNS stand for?

Answer 17

Domain Name System.

Question 18

What is DNS?

Answer 18

The name given to the method of naming internet resources such as .com .uk etc.

Question 19

What is circuit switching?

Answer 19

The process of creating a direct link between two devices and transferring data during the entire duration of the link.

Question 20

What is a requirement of circuit switching?

Answer 20

The transfer and download rates must be identical on both devices.

Question 21

What is packet switching?

Answer 21

A method of communicating packets of data across a network.

Question 22

Give an advantage of packet switching.

Answer 22

Multiple methods to ensure data arrives correctly; multiple methods to arrive at the destination; if one breaks you can always go through another route; transfers packets over a very large network.

Question 23

Give a disadvantage of packet switching.

Answer 23

Time is spent deconstructing and reconstructing the packets.

Question 24

Give an advantage of circuit switching.

Answer 24

Data arrives in a logical order which results in a quicker reconstruction of data; enables two users to hold a call without any delay in speech.

Question 25

Give two disadvantages of circuit switching.

Answer 25

Bandwidth is wasted during periods when no data is sent; devices must transfer and download at the same rate; switches introduce electrical interference which can corrupt or destroy data.

Question 26

What does the header of a data packet contain?

Answer 26

The sender and recipient IP addresses protocols being used order of the packets and the time to live hop limit.

Question 27

What does the packet payload contain?

Answer 27

The raw data.

Question 28

What does the packet trailer contain?

Answer 28

The checksum or cyclic redundancy check.

Question 29

What is the purpose of a firewall?

Answer 29

To prevent unauthorized access to a network.

Question 30

What is a firewall made up of?

Answer 30

Two network interface cards and firewall software.

Question 31

What is a proxy?

Answer 31

A web server that acts as an intermediary collecting and sending data on behalf of a user protecting their identity.

Question 32

Give two advantages of using a proxy.

Answer 32

Allows users to remain anonymous; data can be cached making it faster to load; reduces web traffic.

Question 33

What is the function of a network interface card?

Answer 33

Connects a computer to a network.

Question 34

What is the function of a switch?

Answer 34

Directs the flow of data across a network commonly used in Star topologies.

Question 35

What is the function of a router?

Answer 35

Connects two networks together.

Question 36

What is the function of a gateway?

Answer 36

Connects two networks and translates protocols so they can communicate without any issues.

Question 37

What is client-server networking?

Answer 37

A relationship between terminal computers and a single server which allows them to communicate and share resources.

Question 38

Give an advantage of client-server networking.

Answer 38

Increased security; central single backups; data and resources can be shared.

Question 39

Name a disadvantage of client-server networking.

Answer 39

Expensive to set up; trained staff are required to maintain the network.

Question 40

What is peer-to-peer networking?

Answer 40

A network where the terminals are all connected to each other to share resources.

Question 41

Give two advantages of peer-to-peer networks.

Answer 41

Cheaper to set up; easy to share resources; easy to maintain.

Question 42

Give two disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks.

Answer 42

Peer-to-Peer networks can be used to contribute towards piracy; each computer has to be backed up independently.