Networking Fundamentals & OSI Model Flashcards
- What is the purpose of TCP/IP?
TCP/IP is a communication protocol that governs how data is transmitted over a network, ensuring reliable and secure transmission.
- What does DNS do in networking?
DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses.
- What device connects different networks together?
A router connects different networks together.
- What is a MAC address?
A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communication at the data link layer.
- What does DHCP do in a network?
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.
- What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?
A LAN is a network that connects devices within a limited geographic area, like a home, office, or building.
- What is a private IP address range?
A private IP address range is a set of IP addresses that are used within private networks, such as 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, and 192.168.0.0/16.
- What is the purpose of a firewall?
A firewall monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules to prevent unauthorized access.
- Which protocol is used for secure web traffic?
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is used for secure web traffic.
- What layer of the OSI model is responsible for end-to-end communication?
The transport layer is responsible for end-to-end communication.
- Which protocol is used for sending email?
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending email.
- What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network.
- What device is used to amplify signals in a network?
A repeater is used to amplify signals in a network.
- What is the primary function of an IP router?
An IP router forwards packets between different networks based on their IP addresses.
- What is a network topology?
Network topology refers to the arrangement of devices and how they are connected within a network.
- What does a switch do in a network?
A switch forwards data frames between devices within the same network using MAC addresses.
- What is the maximum distance for Ethernet over copper cables (Cat 5e)?
The maximum distance for Ethernet over Cat 5e cables is 100 meters.
- What protocol is used for file transfer over the internet?
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used for transferring files over the internet.
- Which OSI layer handles routing between different networks?
The network layer handles routing between different networks.
- What does a VPN (Virtual Private Network) provide?
A VPN provides secure communication over an untrusted network, such as the internet.
- What is the role of a gateway in a network?
A gateway connects two different networks, often translating data between them.
- Which type of cable is used for Gigabit Ethernet connections?
Cat 5e or Cat 6 twisted pair cables are used for Gigabit Ethernet connections.
- What does the “ping” command do?
The “ping” command tests network connectivity by sending ICMP echo requests to a target device.
- What is the default subnet mask for a Class C IP address?
The default subnet mask for a Class C IP address is 255.255.255.0.
- What is the function of ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)?
ARP resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses in a local network.
- Which of the following is a characteristic of IPv6?
IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses and is represented in hexadecimal format.
- What is the function of NAT (Network Address Translation)?
NAT translates private IP addresses into public IP addresses, allowing multiple devices to share a single public IP.
- Which device operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model?
A switch operates at Layer 2 (Data Link) of the OSI model.
- What does SSID represent in wireless networking?
SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the name assigned to a wireless network.
- What is the function of a modem?
A modem converts digital data from a computer into analog signals for transmission over phone lines or cable.
- Which layer of the OSI model deals with data encryption?
The presentation layer is responsible for data encryption, compression, and translation.
- Which OSI layer is responsible for error detection and correction?
The data link layer is responsible for error detection and correction.
- At which OSI layer does IP routing occur?
IP routing occurs at the network layer.
- What is the primary function of the Transport layer in the OSI model?
The transport layer ensures reliable end-to-end communication and provides error correction and flow control.
- What does the Physical layer of the OSI model do?
The physical layer transmits raw bit streams over a physical medium, such as cables or radio waves.
- Which OSI layer is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and terminating communication sessions?
The session layer is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and terminating communication sessions.
- Which OSI layer is responsible for segmenting and reassembling data?
The transport layer is responsible for segmenting and reassembling data.
- What does the Network layer handle in the OSI model?
The network layer handles routing, logical addressing, and traffic control.
- Which OSI layer provides services to the user’s application software?
The application layer provides services directly to end-user applications.
- Which OSI layer is responsible for flow control and error recovery?
The transport layer provides flow control and error recovery.
- What does the Data Link layer ensure in the OSI model?
The data link layer ensures reliable communication between devices on the same network.
- What protocol operates at the OSI session layer?
NetBIOS and RPC (Remote Procedure Call) operate at the session layer.
- What is the primary function of the OSI transport layer?
The transport layer provides reliable data transfer, flow control, and error recovery.
- Which layer of the OSI model defines the network interface for hardware devices?
The physical layer defines the network interface for hardware devices.
- What does the OSI model’s Application layer provide?
The application layer provides network services to end-user applications, such as email or web browsing.
- At which OSI layer does SSL/TLS encryption work?
SSL/TLS works at the presentation layer to secure communication.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Presentation layer?
The presentation layer translates, encrypts, and compresses data between the application and transport layers.
- Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for logical addressing?
The network layer is responsible for logical addressing, such as IP addressing.
- What is the main responsibility of the OSI model’s Physical layer?
The physical layer is responsible for transmitting raw bit data over physical media.
- Which OSI layer is responsible for data segmentation and reassembly?
The transport layer is responsible for data segmentation and reassembly.
- What type of address does the data link layer use?
The data link layer uses MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.
- Which OSI layer defines the physical connections between devices?
The physical layer defines the physical connections between devices.
- Which protocol operates at the OSI transport layer?
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) operates at the transport layer.
- What does the session layer in the OSI model manage?
The session layer manages communication sessions, including opening, maintaining, and closing sessions.
- What does the OSI network layer provide?
The network layer provides routing and logical addressing (such as IP addresses).
- Which layer of the OSI model defines data transmission rates?
The physical layer defines data transmission rates.
- What is the purpose of the data link layer in the OSI model?
The data link layer ensures reliable data transfer across a physical link.
- Which layer of the OSI model manages communication between devices on different networks?
The network layer manages communication between devices on different networks.
- Which OSI layer defines how data is presented to the user?
The application layer defines how data is presented to the user.
- Which OSI layer ensures data integrity and error-free transmission?
The transport layer ensures data integrity and error-free transmission through error detection and correction.
- What is the difference between a hub and a switch?
A hub broadcasts data to all devices, while a switch only sends data to the device it is intended for.
- What is the purpose of a VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)?
VLANs allow network administrators to create isolated networks within a physical network, improving security and performance.
- What does the term “bandwidth” refer to in networking?
Bandwidth refers to the maximum data transfer rate of a network or internet connection.
- What is the function of an access point in a wireless network?
An access point connects wireless devices to a wired network and allows communication between them.
- What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ensures reliable, ordered delivery of data, while UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is faster but does not guarantee delivery or order.
- What is the role of the Application layer in the OSI model?
The Application layer provides services directly to end-user applications, such as web browsers and email clients.
- What is a subnet mask used for?
A subnet mask is used to divide an IP address into a network and host portion, helping to determine which part of an IP address refers to the network and which part refers to the device.
- What does the “traceroute” command do?
Traceroute shows the path data takes across the network by listing all the routers it passes through.
- What is the purpose of QoS (Quality of Service)?
QoS manages network traffic to ensure reliable performance for critical applications by prioritizing certain types of traffic.
- What is an IP address class?
IP address classes (A, B, C, D, E) are used to define the size and range of networks in IPv4 addressing.
- What does the term “throughput” refer to in networking?
Throughput refers to the actual amount of data successfully transmitted over a network, usually measured in bits per second.
- What is the main purpose of NAT (Network Address Translation)?
NAT allows multiple devices on a private network to share a single public IP address.
- What is the difference between a public and private IP address?
Public IP addresses are globally unique and routable on the internet, while private IP addresses are used within local networks and are not routable on the internet.
- What is an SSL certificate used for in networking?
An SSL certificate encrypts data between the client and server to secure communication, typically used in HTTPS.
- What is the maximum transmission unit (MTU)?
MTU is the largest size of a packet that can be transmitted over a network without being fragmented.
- What is a broadcast domain?
A broadcast domain is a logical division of a network where all devices can reach each other with a broadcast frame.
- What is the function of a proxy server?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between a client and a server, often used for security, caching, and content filtering.
- What is the purpose of the OSI model’s Transport layer?
The Transport layer ensures reliable end-to-end communication, error handling, and flow control.
- What is a MAC address used for in networking?
A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier used to identify devices on a local network.
- What is a subnet?
A subnet is a smaller network within a larger network, created by dividing an IP address space using a subnet mask.
- What is the role of the session layer in the OSI model?
The session layer manages the establishment, maintenance, and termination of communication sessions.
- What is an IPv4 address?
An IPv4 address is a 32-bit address used to identify devices on a network, written in four octets (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
- What is the difference between a router and a switch?
A router connects different networks and forwards packets based on IP addresses, while a switch connects devices within the same network and forwards frames based on MAC addresses.
- What is the main purpose of the OSI model’s Physical layer?
The Physical layer is responsible for the transmission of raw bit data over a physical medium like cables or wireless signals.
- What is a DNS server?
A DNS server translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses.
- What is an IP packet?
An IP packet is a unit of data that is transmitted over an IP network, containing a header and data payload.
- What is the primary function of the Data Link layer?
The Data Link layer is responsible for creating frames, addressing, and error-checking to ensure reliable data transmission over the physical layer.
- What is a Layer 3 switch?
A Layer 3 switch operates at the network layer and can route traffic between different subnets, similar to a router.
- What is the difference between TCP/IP and OSI models?
The TCP/IP model has four layers (Application, Transport, Internet, Network Access), while the OSI model has seven layers (Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link, Physical).
- What does the term “collision domain” refer to?
A collision domain is a network segment where data packets can collide, commonly seen in hub-based networks.
- What is a wireless access point (WAP)?
A wireless access point allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network by transmitting and receiving radio waves.
- What is the difference between a static and dynamic IP address?
A static IP address does not change, while a dynamic IP address is assigned by a DHCP server and can change over time.
- What is a gateway in networking?
A gateway is a device that connects different networks and translates data between different protocols.
- What does HTTP stand for?
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which is used for transferring web pages over the internet.
- What is the function of the presentation layer in the OSI model?
The presentation layer translates data formats, handles encryption and compression, and ensures data is presented to the application layer correctly.
- What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, allowing for a much larger address space.
- What is the purpose of the application layer in the OSI model?
The application layer interacts directly with the user and provides services such as email, file transfer, and network management.
- What is a ping test used for in networking?
A ping test is used to test the connectivity between two devices by sending ICMP echo requests and waiting for a response.
- What is the purpose of an IP subnet mask?
An IP subnet mask is used to divide an IP address into a network portion and a host portion, allowing for subnetting within an organization.
- What is the difference between a public and a private subnet?
A public subnet is accessible from the internet, while a private subnet is isolated from the internet and used for internal communication.
- What is the maximum length of a Cat 5 cable for Ethernet connections?
The maximum length for a Cat 5 cable for Ethernet is 100 meters (328 feet).
- What is a layer 2 switch and how does it operate?
A Layer 2 switch operates at the data link layer and forwards frames based on MAC addresses, providing network segmentation and reducing collisions.
- What is a packet filter firewall?
A packet-filtering firewall inspects network traffic and filters it based on predetermined security rules.
- What is an IPv6 address notation?
IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal, divided into 8 groups of 4 digits, separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
- What does NAT stand for in networking?
NAT stands for Network Address Translation, which allows multiple devices in a local network to share a single public IP address.
- What is the primary role of a load balancer?
A load balancer distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server is overwhelmed and improve availability.
- What does “ping” do when troubleshooting network connectivity?
“Ping” sends an ICMP Echo Request message to a device to check its availability and response time.
- What is the difference between a 10Base-T and 100Base-T Ethernet standard?
10Base-T supports speeds up to 10 Mbps, while 100Base-T supports speeds up to 100 Mbps over twisted-pair cables.
- What is a routing table?
A routing table contains the routes to various network destinations and is used by routers to forward packets.
- What is a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) in networking?
A DMZ is a perimeter network used to isolate public-facing services (like a web server) from the internal network.
- What is a subnetting technique used for?
Subnetting divides a larger network into smaller, more manageable subnets, helping with IP address allocation and reducing congestion.
- What is a DHCP server’s role in network management?
A DHCP server dynamically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network to ensure they can communicate.
- What is the main difference between ARP and RARP?
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) maps an IP address to a MAC address, while RARP (Reverse ARP) maps a MAC address to an IP address.
- What does the term “throughput” mean in network performance?
Throughput refers to the actual rate at which data is successfully transferred through a network, often measured in Mbps or Gbps.
- What is the purpose of a proxy server?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between a client and the internet, improving security, privacy, and performance.
- What is the function of ICMP in networking?
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is used for error messages and operational information exchange between devices.
- What does SSL stand for, and what is its purpose in networking?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer and is used for encrypting data during web communication (HTTPS).
- What is the main function of an Ethernet switch?
An Ethernet switch connects devices on a network and forwards data based on MAC addresses.
- What is a port in networking terms?
A port is a logical endpoint for network communication, used to identify specific services or applications running on a device.
- What is the purpose of DNS in network communication?
DNS (Domain Name System) resolves domain names to IP addresses, enabling users to access websites using human-readable addresses.
- What is the purpose of a network interface card (NIC)?
A NIC allows a computer to connect to a network, providing a unique MAC address and facilitating data communication.
- What is a collision domain?
A collision domain is a network segment where data packets can collide, often seen in shared mediums like hubs.
- What is the purpose of a MAC address?
A MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to each network interface for communication at the data link layer.
- What is a firewall’s role in a network?
A firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules to protect a network from unauthorized access.
- What is a DHCP lease?
A DHCP lease is the amount of time a device is granted an IP address from a DHCP server before needing to renew it.
- What is the purpose of the OSI model’s Network layer?
The Network layer is responsible for routing, addressing, and packet forwarding between different networks.
- What is the role of the Data Link layer in the OSI model?
The Data Link layer ensures error-free communication over the physical link, using MAC addresses and handling error detection and correction.
- What is a VPN tunnel?
A VPN tunnel is an encrypted connection between two endpoints, providing secure data transmission over an insecure network, such as the internet.
- What is the difference between a public key and a private key in encryption?
A public key is used to encrypt data, and a private key is used to decrypt it, ensuring secure communication in asymmetric encryption.
- What is the role of the Application layer in the OSI model?
The Application layer interacts with software applications, enabling network communication for user services such as file transfers and emails.
- What does the term “IP addressing” mean?
IP addressing assigns a unique numerical identifier (IP address) to each device on a network, allowing devices to locate and communicate with each other.
- What is an IP packet’s header?
The header of an IP packet contains metadata like the source and destination IP addresses, protocol information, and checksum for error detection.
- What is a proxy server used for?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between clients and other servers, often used to filter traffic, improve performance, and hide internal IP addresses.
- What is a static IP address?
A static IP address is a fixed address assigned to a device, which does not change over time.
- What is a subnet mask used for in IP addressing?
A subnet mask determines which part of an IP address represents the network and which part represents the host.
- What is the main difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, whereas IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, providing a much larger address space.
- What does the term “latency” refer to in networking?
Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination, typically measured in milliseconds.
- What is a port number?
A port number is a logical identifier used by the transport layer to direct data to specific processes or applications on a device.
- What is the purpose of the OSI model’s Transport layer?
The Transport layer ensures end-to-end communication, error correction, and flow control between devices across a network.
- What does the term “caching” mean in networking?
Caching stores frequently accessed data on a faster storage medium, reducing retrieval time and network traffic.
- What is the difference between a bridge and a switch?
A bridge connects two network segments, while a switch connects multiple devices within the same network and operates at Layer 2.
- What is the role of a router in networking?
A router directs data packets between different networks, determining the best path for data to travel based on the destination IP.
- What is the difference between TCP and IP?
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a transport protocol that ensures reliable communication, while IP (Internet Protocol) is responsible for routing and addressing packets.
- What is an IP address range?
An IP address range defines the set of IP addresses within a specific network, based on the network address and subnet mask.
- What is the purpose of a DNS server?
A DNS server translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing users to access websites using human-readable names.
- What does the term “VPN” stand for?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which provides a secure connection over an insecure network like the internet.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Presentation layer?
The Presentation layer translates, encrypts, and compresses data to ensure it is properly formatted for the application layer.
- What is a default gateway in networking?
A default gateway is a device (usually a router) that forwards data packets from a local network to destinations outside the network.
- What is the difference between a Layer 3 switch and a router?
A Layer 3 switch can perform basic routing tasks between different subnets, while a router provides more advanced routing capabilities and typically operates on a broader scale.
- What is an ARP request?
An ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) request is used to map an IP address to a MAC address within a local network.
- What is an RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)?
RDP is a protocol that allows a user to remotely connect to a computer or server and interact with its desktop environment.
- What does ICMP stand for, and what is its function?
ICMP stands for Internet Control Message Protocol, used for sending error messages and operational information about the network.
- What is a subnet mask for a Class A network?
The subnet mask for a Class A network is 255.0.0.0.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Network layer?
The Network layer is responsible for routing data packets across different networks, using IP addresses to direct traffic.
- What is the difference between IPv6 and IPv4 header?
IPv6 has a larger header size and more fields, allowing for better support of modern networks, compared to IPv4’s simpler header.
- What is a 3-way handshake in TCP?
A 3-way handshake is a process used by TCP to establish a reliable connection between a client and server, consisting of SYN, SYN-ACK, and ACK messages.
- What does the term “packet switching” mean?
Packet switching is a method of data transmission where data is broken into packets that are sent independently across the network and reassembled at the destination.
- What does DNS caching do?
DNS caching stores previously resolved domain names and IP addresses locally, speeding up subsequent access to those websites.
- What is the maximum number of devices that can be addressed in a Class B network?
A Class B network can address up to 65,534 devices (2^16 - 2 for network and broadcast addresses).
- What is a router’s routing table?
A router’s routing table stores routes to different network destinations and is used to determine the best path for forwarding packets.
- What is a network topology?
Network topology refers to the physical or logical layout of devices, cables, and other network elements in a network.
- What is the difference between a unicast and a broadcast?
Unicast sends data to a single device, while a broadcast sends data to all devices in a network segment.
- What does the term “load balancing” refer to in networking?
Load balancing distributes network traffic across multiple servers or network paths to ensure no single device or link becomes overloaded.
- What is a subnet mask for a Class C network?
The subnet mask for a Class C network is 255.255.255.0.
- What is the purpose of the OSI model’s Data Link layer?
The Data Link layer manages node-to-node data transfer, error detection, and collision handling, ensuring data integrity at the physical level.
- What is the purpose of DNS reverse lookup?
A DNS reverse lookup resolves an IP address back to a domain name.
- What does the term “port forwarding” refer to?
Port forwarding is the process of redirecting traffic from one IP address and port number to another, often used for remote access or web hosting.
- What is a loopback address in IPv4?
The loopback address (127.0.0.1) is used to test network communication on the local machine, without sending data over the network.
- What is a WEP encryption standard?
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an outdated encryption standard for wireless networks, providing basic security for wireless data transmission.
- What is an SSL VPN?
An SSL VPN (Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network) provides secure remote access to network resources over HTTPS.
- What is an IP address class?
An IP address class defines a group of IP addresses with similar characteristics, such as Class A, B, C, D, and E.
- What is the function of the OSI model’s Physical layer?
The Physical layer is responsible for the physical transmission of data, including electrical signals, optical signals, or radio waves.
- What is the purpose of DNS in networking?
DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable domain names to IP addresses, enabling users to access websites by name rather than IP.
- What is a subnet in networking?
A subnet is a smaller network within a larger network, defined by a subnet mask to facilitate easier management and better performance.
- What is an IGP (Interior Gateway Protocol)?
An IGP is a routing protocol used within a single organization or network to exchange routing information (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP).
- What does the term “broadcast” mean in networking?
A broadcast sends data to all devices in a network segment, unlike unicast which targets a single device.
- What is the primary function of a router in a network?
A router forwards data packets between different networks, using IP addresses to direct the traffic.
- What is a Class A IP address?
A Class A IP address has a range of 1.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255 and supports a large number of devices.
- What is a routing protocol?
A routing protocol is used by routers to exchange routing information and determine the best path for data across networks.
- What is the main purpose of a proxy server in a network?
A proxy server serves as an intermediary between clients and the internet, providing anonymity, caching, and access control.
- What is a network switch?
A network switch is a device that connects multiple devices in a network and forwards data based on MAC addresses.
- What is an IP address subnet mask?
An IP address subnet mask divides an IP address into a network and host portion, helping to determine which addresses are part of the same network.
- What is a dynamic IP address?
A dynamic IP address is assigned by a DHCP server and can change over time, unlike a static IP address.
- What is a Layer 4 switch?
A Layer 4 switch operates at the transport layer and makes forwarding decisions based on TCP/UDP port numbers.
- What is a proxy ARP?
Proxy ARP allows a router to respond to ARP requests on behalf of a different device, facilitating communication in certain network configurations.
- What is a Class D IP address used for?
Class D IP addresses (224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255) are reserved for multicast communication.
- What is a 2-tier network architecture?
A 2-tier network architecture consists of a core layer and an access layer, providing simple connectivity for smaller networks.
- What is the main purpose of a DNS resolver?
A DNS resolver is responsible for querying DNS servers and resolving domain names into their corresponding IP addresses.
- What is the maximum cable length for a Cat 6 Ethernet cable?
The maximum cable length for a Cat 6 Ethernet cable is 100 meters (328 feet).
- What is a MAC address?
A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface for communication within the data link layer.
- What is the difference between half-duplex and full-duplex communication?
Half-duplex allows data to flow in one direction at a time, while full-duplex allows data to flow in both directions simultaneously.
- What does BGP stand for?
BGP stands for Border Gateway Protocol, a routing protocol used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems (AS) on the internet.
- What is the purpose of DHCP in networking?
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network, reducing the need for manual configuration.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Session layer?
The Session layer establishes, manages, and terminates communication sessions between applications on different devices.
- What is a virtual private LAN service (VPLS)?
VPLS is a virtualized, Layer 2 technology that allows geographically dispersed sites to connect to a single virtual LAN, often used for connecting branch offices.
- What is a TTL (Time to Live) in an IP packet?
TTL is a field in an IP packet that indicates the maximum time the packet can remain in the network before being discarded to prevent routing loops.
- What is the main function of a router’s NAT?
NAT (Network Address Translation) allows a router to modify the source or destination IP address of a packet to route traffic between a private and public network.
- What is the difference between a static route and a dynamic route?
A static route is manually configured and does not change, while a dynamic route is learned and adjusted automatically through a routing protocol.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Physical layer?
The Physical layer defines the physical means of transmitting data, such as cables, switches, and electrical signals.
- What does IP forwarding mean?
IP forwarding refers to the process by which routers forward packets based on their destination IP address to other routers or devices.
- What is an IP address range in a subnet?
An IP address range in a subnet refers to the set of IP addresses that fall within the network address and the broadcast address.
- What is the purpose of a routing protocol?
A routing protocol determines the best paths for data to travel across different networks and updates routing tables to ensure efficient data delivery.
- What is the purpose of an Ethernet frame?
An Ethernet frame is used to transmit data over Ethernet networks, including a destination MAC address, source MAC address, and payload.
- What is a subnet mask for a Class B network?
A subnet mask for a Class B network is 255.255.0.0.
- What is the purpose of a port scanner?
A port scanner is used to detect open ports on a networked device to determine which services or applications are accessible.
- What is an IP address class A used for?
Class A IP addresses (1.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255) are used for large networks, supporting millions of hosts.
- What is a ping sweep?
A ping sweep is a network scanning technique that sends ICMP echo requests to multiple IP addresses to check if they are active.
- What is the maximum size of an IP packet?
The maximum size of an IPv4 packet is 65,535 bytes, including the header and payload.
- What is the main difference between a hub and a switch in terms of performance?
A hub broadcasts data to all devices, while a switch only sends data to the intended recipient, improving performance and reducing collisions.
- What is the function of a VPN concentrator?
A VPN concentrator is a device that creates and manages VPN connections, typically for remote access or site-to-site communication.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Transport layer?
The Transport layer ensures reliable data transfer between devices, handles flow control, error correction, and segmentation.
- What is the primary purpose of a hub in networking?
A hub connects multiple devices in a network, broadcasting data to all connected devices, though it is inefficient compared to a switch.
- What is a network protocol?
A network protocol is a set of rules that govern communication between devices on a network, ensuring compatibility and successful data exchange.
- What is the difference between a hub and a switch?
A hub broadcasts data to all devices, while a switch forwards data only to the intended device based on its MAC address.
- What is the role of an IP header?
The IP header contains critical information for routing packets, including source and destination IP addresses, packet length, and protocol type.
- What is a Class C IP address used for?
Class C IP addresses (192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255) are typically used for small networks, supporting up to 254 devices.
- What is a routing loop?
A routing loop occurs when data packets are continuously routed between routers in a network without reaching their destination, often due to incorrect routing table entries.
- What does HTTPS stand for and what is its purpose?
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, and it ensures secure communication over a network by encrypting data between the web server and client.
- What is a physical layer device in networking?
A physical layer device is responsible for transmitting raw data bits over a physical medium, such as cables, fiber optics, or wireless signals.
- What is the primary function of a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts data between a client and a server to provide secure remote access to a network.
- What is the role of a DNS resolver in a network?
A DNS resolver queries DNS servers to convert domain names into IP addresses for efficient network communication.
- What is an access control list (ACL)?
An ACL is a set of rules used to control traffic and determine whether packets can pass through a router or firewall.
- What is a NAT (Network Address Translation) pool?
A NAT pool is a range of IP addresses that a router can use to assign to internal devices when they connect to external networks.
- What is an IP packet’s checksum?
A checksum is a calculated value used to verify the integrity of the data in an IP packet by checking for errors during transmission.
- What does the term “multicast” mean in networking?
Multicast refers to sending data to multiple devices on a network at once, but not all devices like in a broadcast.
- What is a site-to-site VPN?
A site-to-site VPN is a type of VPN used to connect two or more remote networks securely over the internet, often used by businesses.
- What is the purpose of a gateway in a network?
A gateway connects different networks, often translating data between them, and allows devices to communicate across different network protocols.
- What is a Layer 2 (Data Link) address?
A Layer 2 address refers to a device’s MAC address used for communication at the Data Link layer in networking.
- What is an IP address block?
An IP address block is a range of IP addresses that are grouped together based on their network address and subnet mask.
- What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?
A LAN is a network of devices located within a small geographic area, such as a building or campus, and typically owned by a single organization.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Presentation layer?
The Presentation layer is responsible for translating, encrypting, and compressing data to ensure proper formatting between systems.
- What is the main function of a switch in networking?
A switch connects multiple devices in a network and forwards data frames based on MAC addresses, ensuring efficient communication.
- What is an IP range?
An IP range refers to the set of IP addresses between a specified start and end address, used to define address spaces within a subnet.
- What is a subnetting calculator?
A subnetting calculator is a tool used to divide networks into smaller subnets, helping to determine network sizes, ranges, and mask settings.
- What is the purpose of a DNS forwarder?
A DNS forwarder redirects DNS queries to another DNS server, typically used to improve query efficiency and offload DNS processing.
- What is a router’s role in NAT?
A router with NAT modifies the source or destination IP address in packets to enable multiple internal devices to share a single external IP address.
- What is the function of the ARP protocol in networking?
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) maps an IP address to its corresponding MAC address in a local network.
- What is the function of an SSL certificate?
An SSL certificate enables secure encryption between a client and server, verifying the identity of the server and protecting data from tampering.
- What is an HTTP request?
An HTTP request is a message sent by a client (browser) to a web server requesting a specific resource, such as a webpage or file.
- What is a subnet in IPv6?
In IPv6, a subnet is a division of the network address space into smaller groups, providing more efficient routing and network management.
- What is a virtual LAN (VLAN)?
A VLAN is a logical partition of a physical network that groups devices together regardless of their physical location.
- What is a Layer 3 switch used for?
A Layer 3 switch operates at the Network layer and can perform routing functions, allowing it to route traffic between VLANs.
- What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
TCP is connection-oriented and guarantees delivery, while UDP is connectionless and does not guarantee delivery.
- What is the difference between public and private IP addresses?
Public IP addresses are used on the internet, while private IP addresses are used within local networks and are not routable on the internet.
- What is a DHCP server?
A DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network.
- What is the purpose of the ARP cache?
The ARP cache stores recently resolved IP-to-MAC address mappings to speed up future communication within a local network.
- What is the purpose of port numbers in networking?
Port numbers help direct network traffic to specific processes or services running on a device, such as HTTP (port 80) or HTTPS (port 443).
- What is a router’s routing table?
A routing table stores information about the routes to various network destinations and is used by routers to forward packets.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Data Link layer?
The Data Link layer manages the node-to-node delivery of data, handles error detection, and deals with MAC addressing.
- What is an IP class A address range?
Class A IP addresses range from 1.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255 and are used for large networks.
- What is a broadcast address?
A broadcast address is used to send a message to all devices within a network segment.
- What is an IPv6 address?
An IPv6 address is a 128-bit address that provides a much larger address space compared to IPv4 addresses.
- What is a router’s role in a network?
A router connects different networks, directs data packets between them, and performs traffic routing based on IP addresses.
- What is a BGP route?
A BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) route is a path that data takes between autonomous systems on the internet, often based on policies and preferences.
- What is the purpose of the OSI model’s Presentation layer?
The Presentation layer ensures that data is presented in a format that the receiving system can understand, including encryption, compression, and data translation.
- What is a switch loop?
A switch loop occurs when there is a circular path in the network, causing packets to circulate endlessly, potentially causing network downtime.
- What is an IP packet’s time-to-live (TTL)?
TTL is a field in an IP packet header that specifies how many hops (routers) the packet can pass through before being discarded to prevent it from circulating forever.
- What is a subnet mask for a Class D network?
Class D addresses (224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255) are reserved for multicast, and they do not use a traditional subnet mask.
- What is the OSI model?
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a communication system into seven layers.
- What is a DNS A record?
A DNS A (Address) record maps a domain name to an IPv4 address.
- What is the purpose of a VPN concentrator?
A VPN concentrator is a device used to manage and aggregate multiple VPN connections, providing secure tunneling between devices or networks.
- What is the primary function of the network layer?
The Network layer is responsible for routing data packets between different networks and managing logical addressing (e.g., IP addresses).
- What is the main difference between an Ethernet switch and a hub?
An Ethernet switch forwards data only to the intended recipient using MAC addresses, whereas a hub broadcasts data to all connected devices.
- What is an IP address subnet mask?
A subnet mask is used to define the network and host portions of an IP address, determining the size of a subnet.
- What is NAT (Network Address Translation)?
NAT allows multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address when accessing the internet.
- What is the difference between Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches?
Layer 2 switches operate at the Data Link layer and forward frames based on MAC addresses, while Layer 3 switches can perform routing and use IP addresses.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Transport layer?
The Transport layer is responsible for reliable data transfer, error detection, and flow control between devices.
- What is the purpose of a MAC address in networking?
A MAC (Media Access Control) address uniquely identifies devices on a network at the Data Link layer and is used to direct data frames to the correct device.
- What is a ping test?
A ping test sends ICMP echo requests to a device to check if it is reachable over the network and measures round-trip time.
- What is a Layer 3 address?
A Layer 3 address refers to an IP address, which is used for routing packets across networks.
- What is the primary function of the OSI model’s Application layer?
The Application layer enables communication between applications, allowing users to interact with network services like email, web browsing, and file transfer.
- What is a loopback address in IPv4?
The loopback address (127.0.0.1) is used to test internal network communication within the same device.
- What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv6 has a larger address space (128-bit addresses), compared to IPv4’s 32-bit addresses, and is designed to overcome the limitations of IPv4.
- What is the purpose of an SMTP server?
An SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server is used to send and receive email messages between email clients and servers.
- What is a route in networking?
A route defines the path that data packets take to reach a specific destination in a network.
- What is a hop count in networking?
Hop count refers to the number of routers a data packet passes through on its way to its destination.
- What is an IPv6 link-local address?
An IPv6 link-local address is used for communication within a local network segment and is not routable on the internet.
- What is a DHCP lease?
A DHCP lease is the period during which a device can use an assigned IP address before it must request a new one.
- What is the purpose of an SSL/TLS certificate?
An SSL/TLS certificate ensures secure communication over the internet by encrypting data between a client and server.
- What is a network bridge used for?
A network bridge connects two different network segments and forwards data between them based on MAC addresses.
- What is the function of a content delivery network (CDN)?
A CDN is a network of distributed servers that delivers content (e.g., videos, web pages) to users based on their geographic location for faster access.
- What is an IPv4 subnet?
An IPv4 subnet is a portion of a larger network that has been divided into smaller, more manageable segments.
- What is a logical topology in networking?
A logical topology refers to how data flows in a network, irrespective of its physical layout.
- What is an IP address range for a Class C network?
The IP address range for a Class C network is from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255.
- What does HTTP stand for?
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which is used to transfer web pages and other resources over the internet.
- What is the purpose of a stateful firewall?
A stateful firewall monitors the state of active connections and only allows packets that match the state of an existing connection.
- What is a Class A IP address range?
A Class A IP address range spans from 0.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255, supporting a large number of devices in a network.
- What is a CSMA/CD protocol?
CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) is a protocol used in Ethernet networks to avoid collisions by detecting when the network is busy.
- What is the purpose of an IDS (Intrusion Detection System)?
An IDS monitors network traffic for signs of malicious activity or policy violations, alerting administrators to potential threats.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Network layer?
The Network layer is responsible for logical addressing, routing, and forwarding of packets across different networks.
- What is a MAC address filter?
A MAC address filter restricts access to a network by allowing only devices with specific MAC addresses to connect.
- What is the function of a VPN tunnel?
A VPN tunnel securely encrypts data between two endpoints, allowing private communication over an insecure network.
- What is the purpose of a DMZ in a network?
A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a network segment that isolates public-facing services (like web servers) from internal systems for security.
- What is a forward proxy server?
A forward proxy server acts as an intermediary between clients and the internet, often used for access control, anonymity, and caching.
- What is an MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit)?
MTU is the largest size of a data packet that can be transmitted over a network medium without fragmentation.
- What is the role of the OSI model’s Physical layer?
The Physical layer defines the electrical and physical specifications for devices and transmission media, including cables and signals.
- What is the function of a wireless access point (WAP)?
A WAP connects wireless devices to a wired network by providing a point of access to the network’s resources.
- What is a wireless standard?
A wireless standard defines the specifications for communication between wireless devices, such as Wi-Fi standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac).
- What is a T1 line in networking?
A T1 line is a dedicated leased-line connection providing 1.544 Mbps data transfer rate, often used by businesses for high-speed internet.
- What is the difference between Layer 2 and Layer 3?
Layer 2 (Data Link) deals with MAC addresses and frames, while Layer 3 (Network) handles IP addresses and routing of packets.