Networking Flashcards
**What is a Network?
Two or more devices, somehow connected for purposes of sharing information and resources
**What is a Node?
Each individual device within a network
What is a MAC address?
The unique network address of every node
This Media Access Control address is our physical distinguishing property between all nodes.
hexadecimal format six groups of two hex digits (ex. 00:OD:56:EB:DO:9E) Nmbrs - 0-9 Letters - A-F
first half of MAC address usually identifies manufacturer
What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?
the expansion card placed inside of the computer to communicate with other devices on the network
This is the physical gateway to join the network
Whether wired or wireless you must have a NIC to join a network
**What are Hubs?
makes 1 internet jack connection into multiple jacks
Detriment to using a hub - doesn’t control “sniffing”
**What are Switches?
main job is to subdivide a network, subdivision is up to the network administrator
Usually divided by Geography
Eliminates the “sniffing” issues involved with Hubs
**What are Routers?
connect one network to another
What type of Cabling is used for networks?
Unshielded coaxial, shielded coaxial, twisted pair (most common), fiber optic
What 3 elements are networks described by?
Purpose (Peer to Peer v. Client/Server)
Protocols (Open Standard v. Proprietary)
Geography (LAN, WAN, MAN)
**What is a Peer to Peer Network?
two devices directly connected to each other with no other infrastructure involved
Can be temp or long term
**What is a Client/Server Network?
Any dedicated resource that will receive, transmit or transfer information from the clients or end user
What are Protocols?
Pre-defined set of common standards (that need to be fulfilled for a certain activity to take place)
What are Open Standards?
Protocols that are not owned by anyone, no intellectual property issues, they are in the public domain
What are Proprietary Protocols?
Covered by intellectual property (ex. Skype)
What does LAN, MAN and WAN mean and refer to?
Geographical connotations for a network
LAN - Local area network (most home networks)
MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
WAN - Wide Area Network (ex. the SS network)
What does “throughput” refer to?
the amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time
What is “sniffing”?
“listening in on computer traffic in networks, eavesdropping in on network comms
What is Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)?
3 way handshake: Call out, response, then request for info. Allows you to make sure that all packets are received from point A to point B.
Quality Control - If packet gets corrupt, TCP identifies and gets that packet again
What is User Datagram Protocol (UDP)?
3 way handshake: Call out, response, request for info, then a fire hose of information goes out.
No Quality Control infrastructure like TCP
Advantage - Speed
Disadvantage - No Quality Control
