T2. Networks

Question 1

What does the term ‘scope’ refer to?

Answer 1

The term scope refers to the size or geographical extent of something.

Question 2

What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?

Answer 2

A LAN is spread over a small geographical area, e.g., a single building, using cables, Wi-Fi, and fibre optic technology. It provides services for a single building and is private.

Question 3

What is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?

Answer 3

A WAN covers a large geographical area, e.g., a country, and uses fibre optic cables or public telephone systems or communication satellites. It can be public or private and is geographically remote.

Question 4

What is a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)?

Answer 4

A MAN covers a highly populated area, e.g., a large city, using fibre optic cables or wireless technology. It provides services for a community of users.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a network card?

Answer 5

A network card connects a computer to a computer network, typically a LAN, so that it can exchange data with the network.

Question 6

What is a switched hub?

Answer 6

A switched hub acts as a connection point for several nodes. It checks the destination/IP address of data packets and forwards them to the intended recipient.

Question 7

What is a wireless access point?

Answer 7

A wireless access point is a device that allows a Wi-Fi enabled device to connect to a network usually by connecting to a router.

Question 8

What is a media converter?

Answer 8

A media converter is a device that allows two dissimilar media types or protocols to connect with each other, e.g., connecting a fibre optic cable and a copper cable.

Question 9

What is the role of a server in a network?

Answer 9

A server manages network resources such as storage, files, hardware devices, printers, and communications via email.

Question 10

What is a repeater?

Answer 10

A repeater regenerates data transmission signals that have been attenuated.

Question 11

What is the purpose of a MAC address?

Answer 11

The purpose of a MAC address is to identify a computer’s network interface card (NIC) uniquely on a LAN.

Question 12

What is the purpose of an IP address?

Answer 12

An IP address is a unique address that identifies a device on a network, allowing information to be sent between devices on the network.

Question 13

How do MAC and IP addresses compare?

Answer 13

The IP address is set by the ISP and linked to the physical location of the device, changing with its location. Each device has a permanent MAC address set by the manufacturer. IP addresses use 32 bits/4 bytes, while MAC addresses use 48 bits/6 bytes.

Question 14

What is a server-based network?

Answer 14

In a server-based network, the server manages resources and security, with multiple clients requesting resources from the server.

Question 15

What is a peer-to-peer network?

Answer 15

In a peer-to-peer network, all computers have equal status, each acting as both a supplier and consumer of resources.

Question 16

What is a bus topology?

Answer 16

In a bus topology, all nodes are connected directly to the main cable/backbone, allowing data to be transmitted in both directions.

Question 17

What is a star topology?

Answer 17

In a star topology, there is a central fileserver, and each node is connected to the fileserver by its own cable.

Question 18

What is a ring topology?

Answer 18

In a ring topology, each node is connected to two other adjacent nodes, and data travels in one direction only.

Question 19

What is the Application Layer in the OSI model?

Answer 19

The Application Layer presents information or data to the end user and deals with functions such as data transfer, messaging, and the end-user interface.

Question 20

What is the Presentation Layer in the OSI model?

Answer 20

The Presentation Layer interacts with the Application & Session layers, converting information to the correct video or audio format.

Question 21

What is the Session Layer in the OSI model?

Answer 21

The Session Layer opens a temporary ‘channel’ to allow for communication, interacting with the Presentation and Transport layers.

Question 22

What is the Transport Layer in the OSI model?

Answer 22

The Transport Layer splits data into different packets, which may arrive in a different order to which they were sent, and reassembles them at their destination.

Question 23

What is the Network Layer in the OSI model?

Answer 23

The Network Layer determines the best route for packets to use and shares information with the Transport and Data Link layers.

Question 24

What is the Data Link Layer in the OSI model?

Answer 24

The Data Link Layer deals with error detection and correction, converting outgoing packets into bits and incoming bits into data packets.

Question 25

What is the Physical Layer in the OSI model?

Answer 25

The Physical Layer converts bits into a physical form for transmission, such as light pulses or electrical signals.

Question 26

What is TCP/IP?

Answer 26

TCP/IP dictates how information should be packaged, sent, and received, handling file transfer and verifying correct delivery of data.

Question 27

What is Ethernet?

Answer 27

Ethernet defines the networking protocol and the physical connections used, dealing with the Physical and Transport layers of the OSI Model.

Question 28

What is CSMA/CD?

Answer 28

CSMA/CD is a set of rules determining how network devices respond to a collision when two devices attempt to use a data channel simultaneously. Ethernet networks use it to physically monitor the traffic between different computers on the network. If no transmission is taking place a computer can start transmitting data. If two computers attempt to transmit simultaneously, this causes a collision, after a random time interval the computers that collided attempt to transmit again.

Question 29

What is Wi-Fi?

Answer 29

Wi-Fi allows devices to connect to a network via a router, enabling file sharing between connected devices.

Question 30

What is Bluetooth?

Answer 30

Bluetooth allows devices to connect wirelessly within range, often requiring a passcode to pair.

Question 31

What is VoIP?

Answer 31

VoIP allows telephone calls to be made over digital networks, converting analogue signals into digital data packets.

Question 32

What is an RFID tag?

Answer 32

An RFID tag contains data programmed into a chip, activated by radio waves from an RFID reader, and can be active or passive.

Question 33

What is a barcode?

Answer 33

A barcode contains data in a machine-readable code, read by a scanner using red light or a laser, requiring visibility on packaging.

Question 34

What is bandwidth?

Answer 34

Bandwidth is a measure of the capacity of a communication channel, representing the range of frequencies available.

Question 35

What is broadband?

Answer 35

Broadband refers to high-speed Internet access that is always on, handling multiple signals and traffic types.

Question 36

What types of metal cables are used for transmission?

Answer 36

Different types of copper cabling, such as coaxial cable and twisted pair, are used to transmit electrical signals over short distances.

Question 37

What is wireless cable?

Answer 37

Wireless cable covers methods of data transmission using radio waves, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Question 38

What is fibre optic?

Answer 38

Fibre optic uses fine glass strands to transmit modulated light beams at high speeds over long distances.

Question 39

What is a parity bit?

Answer 39

A parity bit is a specific bit in a byte used for error checking, indicating whether the sum of bits is odd or even.

Question 40

What is a checksum?

Answer 40

A checksum is an algorithm applied to a packet of data to verify its integrity upon receipt.

Question 41

What is error checking?

Answer 41

Error checking involves comparing received data with the original to ensure accuracy, often using echo checking.

Question 42

What is CRC?

Answer 42

CRC involves appending a checksum to data before transmission and recalculating it after transmission to detect errors.