Networks and the Internet Flashcards
What does UTP stand for?
unshielded twisted pair cable
What are the categories of UTP cables?
- Category 5: Up to 100Mbps (Megabits per second)
- Category 5e: Up to 1000Mbps (1Gbps)
- Category 6: Up to 10Gbps
- Category 7: Up to 40Gbps
- Category 8: 25Gbps or 40Gbps
What type of cabling is standard for a wired LAN?
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable of various categories.
How is network data speed usually measured?
In bits per second (bps), though sometimes it is shown in bytes per second (Bps), which is 8 times larger.
How can you identify the category of a UTP cable?
By looking for a label or printed text on the wire.
What type of connector is used for UTP cabling?
RJ-45 connector.
How does an RJ-45 connector compare to a standard telephone connector?
It is larger and incompatible with phone wire, which uses Category 1 cable and is not suitable for networks.
What is the simplest network connection device?
A hub.
What does a hub do?
It takes a signal from one cable and splits it out over multiple cables.
What is a “four-port” hub?
A hub that splits a signal into four outputs.
Does a hub process signals?
No, it simply forwards everything it receives to all ports.
Is communication through a hub one-way or two-way?
Two-way, as ports can also send communication through the uplink connection.
What are data frames?
A unit of data transmitted over a network is called a frame. A frame has a “to” and “from” hardware (MAC) address.
What is a packet?
Similar to a frame, this is a unit of network data that is identified by an IP Address (instead of a hardware address).
What is a router?
A network device that examines IP addresses and directs data to the correct destination.
How does a router differ from a switch and a hub?
A router is more intelligent; it analyzes IP addresses and routes data efficiently.
What function allows a router to block unwanted data?
Firewall.
What does a router do with a packet of data?
It checks the IP address and sends it only through the correct connection.
Name some network topologies.
Ring, bus, mesh, hybrid, and star.
What is a network topology?
The physical layout of connected devices in a network.
What is the most common network topology today?
Star topology.
How does a star topology function?
Multiple devices connect to a central switch, which connects to other switches or a router.
How are office networks typically structured?
Using multiple star networks connected through switches, with a router filtering data at the network edge.
What role does the router play in a star topology?
It sits at the edge of the private network and filters data to and from the internet.