Networking Flashcards
What is a network?
Two or more computers connected together that transmit data.
What are protocols?
Sets of rules defining how two devices communicate with each other.
Why are protocols standard?
So that devices from different manufacturers don’t have problems communicating.
Describe the structure of the Internet.
The Internet is a global network of interconnected networks.
What does TCP stand for?
Transmission Control Protocol.
What does IP stand for?
Internet Protocol.
What is the function of the application layer during data transmission?
The Application Layer specifies what protocols need to be used to relate the application to what it’s being used for.
What is the role of the transport layer during data transmission?
Establishes an end-to-end connection between the source and recipient computers. It also splits up the data into packets.
What is the role of the network layer during data transmission?
Adds the source and destination IP addresses.
What is the function of the link layer during data transmission?
Adds the MAC addresses to the packet.
What does the application layer do when it receives data?
Presents data in the form it was sent.
What does the transport layer do when it receives the data?
Removes the port number and reassembles the packets.
What does the network layer do when it receives the data?
Removes the IP addresses.
What does the link layer do when it receives the data?
Removes the MAC addresses.
What is a local area network?
A network spread over a small geographical area positioned on a single site.
What is a wide area network?
A network spread over a large geographical area usually requiring extra hardware.
What does DNS stand for?
Domain Name System.
What is DNS?
The name given to the method of naming internet resources such as .com .uk etc.
What is circuit switching?
The process of creating a direct link between two devices and transferring data during the entire duration of the link.
What is a requirement of circuit switching?
The transfer and download rates must be identical on both devices.
What is packet switching?
A method of communicating packets of data across a network.
Give an advantage of packet switching.
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.
Give a disadvantage of packet switching.
Time is spent deconstructing and reconstructing the packets.
Give an advantage of circuit switching.
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.
Give two disadvantages of circuit switching.
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.
What does the header of a data packet contain?
The sender and recipient IP addresses protocols being used order of the packets and the time to live hop limit.
What does the packet payload contain?
The raw data.
What does the packet trailer contain?
The checksum or cyclic redundancy check.
What is the purpose of a firewall?
To prevent unauthorized access to a network.
What is a firewall made up of?
Two network interface cards and firewall software.
What is a proxy?
A web server that acts as an intermediary collecting and sending data on behalf of a user protecting their identity.
Give two advantages of using a proxy.
Allows users to remain anonymous; data can be cached making it faster to load; reduces web traffic.
What is the function of a network interface card?
Connects a computer to a network.
What is the function of a switch?
Directs the flow of data across a network commonly used in Star topologies.
What is the function of a router?
Connects two networks together.
What is the function of a gateway?
Connects two networks and translates protocols so they can communicate without any issues.
What is client-server networking?
A relationship between terminal computers and a single server which allows them to communicate and share resources.
Give an advantage of client-server networking.
Increased security; central single backups; data and resources can be shared.
Name a disadvantage of client-server networking.
Expensive to set up; trained staff are required to maintain the network.
What is peer-to-peer networking?
A network where the terminals are all connected to each other to share resources.
Give two advantages of peer-to-peer networks.
Cheaper to set up; easy to share resources; easy to maintain.
Give two disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks.
Peer-to-Peer networks can be used to contribute towards piracy; each computer has to be backed up independently.
