Networking Hardware and Software Flashcards
What are the network hardware used to manage, control and secure data in a network?
Network hardware:
- Network interface card (or wireless adaptor)
- Server
- Wireless access point
- Modem
- Router
- Switch
What is a ‘Network Interface Card?’
A Network Interface Card slots into the motherboard of a device and provides ports to allow a device to connect to a network.
What is a ‘Wireless Adaptor?’
A Wireless Adaptor is connected to the motherboard and allows a device to send and receive wireless signals.
What is a ‘Server?’
A Server is a device that is used to provide services to other devices connected to a network. Many servers are dedicated servers and only perform one particular function (eg. file servers to store files, email servers to send and receive emails)
What is a ‘Wireless Access Point (WAP)’?
A WAP is a used in WLANs as a central transmitter and receiver of wireless radio signals. They emit these signals for devices in the covered area to receive an internet connections.
What is a ‘Modem?’
A Modem is a device that connects a LAN to the internet by converting digital (binary) signals to audio (analog) signals, and then back again, so data can be transmitted over a telephone line.
What is a ‘Router?’
A router is a device used to connect multiple networks, whether that would be with several LANs, or a LAN and a WAN (such as the internet).
What is a ‘Broadband Router?’
Broadband routers are designed to join the home network (LAN) to the internet (WAN).
What is a ‘Switch?’
A switch is a connecting point for cables in a LAN. It stores the address of every device connected to it, and sends incoming data packets to the correct cable by using simple logic.
What is a ‘Wireless Broadband Router?’
A wireless broadband router combines the function of a basic router, a switch, a firewall and a WAP.
What is a ‘Network Operating System (NOS)?’
A NOS is a system software that organizes, controls and coordinates the activities on a Local Area Network.
What tasks does a Network Operating System (NOS) perform?
Tasks of an NOS:
- Administration: Adding, deleting and organizing users and performing maintenance tasks
- File management: Locating and transferring files
- Device management: Governs the interaction between hardware and software
- Security: Monitoring and restricting access (when necessary) to network resources
