Networks and Topologies

Question 1

Client

Answer 1

A device that makes requests to a server for data and connections.

Question 2

Client-Server Network

Answer 2

A client makes requests to the server for data and connections
A server controls access and security to one shared file store.

Question 3

DNS

Answer 3

Domain Name Service
Made up of multiple domain name servers
Matches the URL of a web site into an IP address of a web server.

Question 4

Hosting

Answer 4

Websites stored on dedicated servers.

Question 5

LAN

Answer 5

Local Area Network
Covers a small geographic area
All hardware for the LAN is owned by the organisation using it.

Question 6

Full Mesh Network Topology

Answer 6

Nodes are connected to every other device on the network via cables. There is very little traffic as there are direct cables to their destination so latency is small. Each node has its own switch and there are very many cables so this an extremely costly network. If a device breaks down then only that is affected.

Question 7

Network

Answer 7

Two or more computers that are connected together for the purpose of communicating data

Question 8

NIC

Answer 8

Network Interface Card
A hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network

Question 9

Peer-to-Peer Network

Answer 9

A type of network model where all computers on the network are equal
Computers share their own files with each other
Each computer is responsible for its own security and backup
Computers usually have their own printer.

Question 10

Router

Answer 10

A device for connecting devices on a wide area network.

Question 11

Star Network topology

Answer 11

A network where each node is connected to a central router or switch. If a device breaks then it is the only thing affected. The switch is still a serious point of weakness. It is still very costly as many ethernet cables are required.

Question 12

Switch

Answer 12

Connects devices on a local area network
Uses the MAC address to route traffic to the correct connected device.

Question 13

The cloud

Answer 13

Remote servers that store data that can be accessed over the internet.

Question 14

Transmission Media

Answer 14

The physical media over which data is transmitted.

Question 15

WAN

Answer 15

Wide Area Network
A collection of computers on the same network which are spread out over a large geographic area
Infrastructure is hired from telecommunication companies who own and manage it.

Question 16

WAP

Answer 16

Wireless Access Point
Networking hardware that allows a Wi-Fi device to connect to a wired network.

Question 17

Web Server - definition

Answer 17

A program that uses HTTP to serve the files of web pages to clients following requests.

Question 18

Node

Answer 18

A device connected to the network.

Question 19

Advantages of the cloud

Answer 19

Excellent backup and recovery options
Can access data anywhere, anytime
No hardware is required as everything is hosted in the cloud
Room for growth; easy to scale up and expand

Question 20

Disadvantages of the cloud

Answer 20

Ongoing monthly/ yearly cost for hosting data and information
Lack of control. Handing over data and information
Relies completely on a stable internet connection
Bandwidth problems. All depends on the speed of the connection.

Question 21

Bandwidth

Answer 21

The capacity in which a network can transmit data.

Question 22

Latency

Answer 22

The delay of sending information to receiving it.

Question 23

Web Server - what does it do?

Answer 23

Provides services (Web server –> Web pages)

Question 24

File Server - what does it do?

Answer 24

Provides services (File server –> File retrieval/storage)

Question 25

Partial Mesh topologies

Answer 25

A network where every node is connected to other nodes, but not every other node in the network. This is a compromise on the full mesh topology as it can be costly. If a computer breaks then only it is affected. If a cable breaks then there are still other routes to get to its destination but it will be slower as there will be more traffic. Each device has a switch and cables are also needed.