Post Midterm: Lectures 11: Backbone Networks

Question 1

switches/routers/gateways (data link + network layers)

Answer 1

switches: connect devices within network
routers: connects modem to different computer networks
gateways: regulate traffic between 2+ dissimilar networks

Question 2

3 layers in backbone network architecture?

Answer 2

1. Access: how users access
2. Distribution: connects LANs together
3. Core: connects different backbone networks between buildings to the WAN/internet

Question 3

What is a switched backbone?

Answer 3

star topology with one switch at its centre, switch serving each LAN connected to backbone switch

all in one place, less devices, requires more cable

Question 4

What is a routed backbone?

Answer 4

bus topology, each LAN is separate and isolated network

main advantage: LAN segmentation -> subnets and broadcast messages stay within each subnet, time delays

Question 5

what is a VLAN?

Answer 5

resources and individuals are grouped logically rather than geographically, membership is configured through software

computers assigned to VLAN based on physical port they’re plugged into

Question 6

advantages/disadvantages of VLAN?

Answer 6

adv: reduce $, more flexible, better traffic flow
disadv: complex, it’s new

Question 7

what is SND? (software defined networking)

Answer 7

a way traffic is shaped: centralized controller so admin doesn’t have to touch individual switches in the network