NETWORKS

Question 1

What is digital communication?

Answer 1

process wherein 2 or more devices or computers transfer data, instruction and information

Question 2

Define network

Answer 2

A network is a collection of computers and devices connected via communication devices and transmission media

Question 3

What are the advantages of a network

Answer 3

Sharing files, sharing hardware, sharing software and facilitating communications

Question 4

List advantages of computer networks

Answer 4

1. sharing info
2. resource sharing
3. communication
4. flexible access
5. file sharing

Question 5

What are the different types of networks based on?

Answer 5

1. Size of network - area over which the network is spread
   2.Connection: refers to transmission media and protocols used for connecting
2. Network topology: arrangement of computers of network

Question 6

What are the different network types based on sizes ?

Answer 6

1. Personal Area Network(PAN): a network that connects computers and devices in an individual workspace with wired and wireless technology. Bluetooth?
2. Local Area Network: a computer network widely used for local communication and connects computers in a small area like a building, room, or campus. Privately owned network.
3. Metropolitan Area Network: Connects LANs across the city, within a 30-50km radius. Eg: WiMaz, a cable television network
4. WAN - Wide area networks: Spread over cities, countries and continents. WAN uses telephone lines, satellite link and radio link to connect. eg: Internet

Question 7

What are the different kinds of network topology?

Answer 7

1. STAR: One central processing facility or HUB to which all computers are connected. EG: used in banks for centralized record-keeping
2. BUS: A single network cable runs in the building or campus, connecting all devices. This causes contention and performance loss, as well as a security issue. However, it is cheap.
3. RING topology: In a RING topology, a token is a small data packet that acts like a “permission slip” for sending data. Only the device holding the token can transmit data over the network. The network cable passes from one node to another until all are connected to form a loop or ring
4. MESH topology: random connection of nodes using communication links. Used for WAN
5. TREE TOPOLOGY: Extension of star topology connecting multiple star networks. WHole network is segmented and maintained

Question 8

_______ is the configuration of devices, media and computers on a network

Answer 8

Network architecture

Question 9

What are the 2 type of network architecture models?

Answer 9

1. client-server: client software send in request amd server software responds by providing data
2. peer to peer: every computer network is server and client in this model

Question 10

____ and ___ are examples of hybrid of client/server and peer to peer

Answer 10

Napster and Bit Torrent

Question 11

_________ carries one or more communication signals.

Answer 11

Transmission media

Question 12

What are the various components of transmission media

Answer 12

1, Broadband: transmission of multiple signals simultaneously
2. Bandwidth: the amount of data, info and instructions that can travel over transmission media
3. Latency: time taken by signal to travel from one location to the other

Question 13

What are the types of transmission media?

Answer 13

1. guided aka WIRED/Bounded transmission taking place through a narrow pathway using physical links.
   - Nest for short distances
   -secure
   - high speed
2. unguided aka wireless - no physical medium required, uses electromagnetic signals to transmit
   - less secure
   - for larger distances
   - signal is through air

Question 14

provide examples of transmission media networks

Answer 14

PHYSICAL MEDIA
Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)
Twisted pair (Category 3 & 5)
Coaxial Cable (TV)
Fiber optic

WIRELESS MEDIA
Infrared
- Line of sight
Broadcast radio
Cellular radio
Microwave radio
Satellite communications

Question 15

What are the hardware components of a network?

Answer 15

1. HUB: Multiport connecting device used to connect the LAN devices. Used to increase the physical length of a network
2. REPEATRE: Boosts or enhances the signal before passing it through to the next section of the cable.
3. BRIDGE: connects the network with the same topology and protocol. Main task is to pass and receive data from one LAN to the other
4. ROUTER: connects multiple networks using similar or different protocols
5. GATEWAY: connects networks with only different topology and protocols. It receives data from one network and converts it according to the protocol of another network

Question 16

What is NIC

Answer 16

Network interface card: it acts like a translator between networks for communication and exchange of info
- controls the flow of data b/w RAM and network cable
- converts the computer’s digital signals in the type required for a particular network
- Eg: ETHERNET

Question 17

What is a modem

Answer 17

modulator-demodulator computer hardware device connecting the home network to the internet. It converts digital signals to analogue signals. It produces a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded reliably