Section Two - Networks Flashcards
What does LAN stand for?
Local Area Network
What does a LAN cover?
A small geographical area located on a single site
Give one reason why you should use a LAN:
Sharing files is easier - network users can access the same files, work collaboratively on them and copy between machines
What does WAN stand for?
Wide Area Network
What is the purpose of a WAN?
To connect LANs that are in different geographical locations
How can WANs be connected?
Through fibre or copper telephone lines, satellite links or radio links
Give an example of a WAN you use every day:
The Internet
What is Bandwidth?
The amount of data that can be transferred in a given time
Finish the sentence:
The greater the bandwidth, the…
…better the network can perform
True or False? Wired connections are generally SLOWER and LESS reliable than Wireless.
False.
Wired connections are generally FASTER and MORE reliable than Wireless
What does Wireless performance depend on?
Signal Quality
What factors affect Signal Quality?
Range of Device
Amount of inference from other devices
Physical Obstructions
What does NIC stand for?
Network Interference Controller
What is an NIC?
An internal piece of hardware that allows a device to connect to a network
What is the purpose of a switch in a LAN?
To connect devices
What are routers responsible for?
Transmitting data between networks
What can Ethernet cables be used for?
To connect devices in a LAN
Give examples of a type of Ethernet cable:
CAT 5
CAT 6
True or False? Ethernet Cables contain THREE twisted pairs of FIBRE-OPTIC wires.
False.
Ethernet Cables contain FOUR twisted pairs of COPPER wires.
Why are the wires in Ethernet cables twisted together?
To reduce internal interference
What are Coaxial cables made of?
A single copper wire surrounded by a plastic layer
What is the purpose of the plastic layer in Coaxial cables?
Insulation and shielding from outside inteference
How do fibre-optic cables transmit data?
Using light
True or False? Fibre-Optic cables are HIGH performance cables that DON’T suffer interference and CAN transmit over very large distances.
True
What do wireless devices use to transmit data?
Radio waves
What does WAP stand for?
Wireless Access Point
What could a WAP simply be described as?
A switch that allows devices to connect wirelessly
What radio frequency bands are used by Wi-Fi?
2.4Ghz and 5Ghz
Fill in the gaps:
1) networks are made up of a (2) and (3
(1) Client-server
(2) Sever
(3) Clients
What is a client-server network managed by?
A server
Describe a client-server relationship:
Clients send requests to the server. The serve processes the request and responds.
What are the PROS of a client-server network?`
Easy to keep track of files
Easy to perform back-ups
Easy to install and update software
Easy to manage security
What are the CONS of a client-server network?
Expensive to set up (needs specialists to maintain)
All clients lose access is server goes down
The server can be overloaded
True or False?
Peer-to-Peer networks USE servers.
False.
Peer-to-Peer networks DON’T use servers. Clients connect directly to each other without a server.
What are the PROS of a Peer-to-Peer network?
Easy to maintain
No dependence on server.
What are the CONS of a Peer-to-Peer network?
No centralized management
Less reliable
Slower
What is a topology?
The layout of a network.
Give two examples of topologies:
Star and Mesh
In a STAR topology, where are all the devices connected to?
A central switch or server that controls the network
True or False?
Star networks MAY be wired or wireless.
True.
What are the PROS of a Star Topology?
If a device fails, the rest of the network is unaffected.
Adding more devices is simple
Better performance than other set-ups.
What are the CONS of a Star Topology?
In wired networks, every device needs a cable. This makes it expensive.
If there is a problem with the switch or server the whole network is affected.
In a MESH topology, where are all the devices connected to?
They are all connected to each other.
It is decentralized - networking devices are directly or indirectly connected to every other device without a central switch or server.
What is the MAIN advantage of a mesh topology?
There is NO single point where the network can fail. If one device fails, data will just be sent along an alternative route.
What is the difference between a FULL MESH topology and a PARTIAL MESH topology?
A full mesh topology is where every device is connected to every other device. In a partial mesh topology, not all devices are fully connected.
Fill in the gaps: Networks need (1) to set the rules.
(1) Protocols
What is a protocol?
A set of rules for how devices communicate and how data is transmitted across a network.
When are MAC Addresses used?
When devices are communicating on the same network.