Topic 5: Wireless and wired networks, layers and protocols

Question 1

What are the benefits of a wireless network

Answer 1

-Cheaper to set up than wired
-Simpler installation process than wired

Question 2

What are the benefits of a wired network

Answer 2

-Up to 1 GB per second for ethernet
- 100m distance for Ethernet but 2km for fiber optic maximum distance
-More secure as a physical connection is needed to intercept data

Question 3

What are the drawbacks of Bluetooth

Answer 3

Has a limited transmission range and speed of 2 MB per second

Question 4

What is encryption

Answer 4

Encryption is the process of disguising a message so that it cannot be understood by anyone but its intended recipient. Encryption requires the use of a key. The key is secret as to how the message has been disguised.

Question 5

How does asymmetric encryption work

Answer 5

All users have access to a public key. However this will not translate the plaintext unless alongside the private key. So as long as the private key isn’t handed out the message will be safe

Question 6

What are IP addresses

Answer 6

IP address are emplace when a device connects to the internet. It is a unique code separated by dots

Question 7

What is a MAC address

Answer 7

MAC address are a unique serial code number which is assigned to each network interface card.

Question 8

What is the advantage of IPV6 against IPV4

Answer 8

IPV4 only has 32 bits so eventually will run out of addresses but IPV6 has 128 bits so can store more values

Question 9

What does the TCP/IP protocol do

Answer 9

Enables communication over the internet

Question 10

What does the HTTPS or HTTP protocols do

Answer 10

Governs communication between a webserver and a client. HTTPS (secure) includes secure encryption to allow transactions to be made over the internet.

Question 11

What does the FTP protocol do

Answer 11

Governs the transmission of files across a network and the internet

Question 12

What does the SMTP protocol do

Answer 12

Governs the sending of email over a network to a mail server.

Question 13

What do the POP/ IMAP protocol do

Answer 13

Govern retrieving emails from email servers. POP is an older implementation, largely replaced by IMAP.

Question 15

What happens in the application layer

Answer 15

Encodes/decodes the message in a form that is understood by the sender and the recipient.

HTTPS/HTTP/POP/IMAP/SMTP

Question 16

What happens in the transport layer

Answer 16

Breaks down the message into small chunks (packets). Each packet is given a packet number and the total number of packets. The recipient uses this information to assemble the packets together in the correct order. It also allows the recipient to see if there are any missing packets.

TCP

Question 17

What happens in the network layer

Answer 17

Adds the sender’s IP address and that of the recipient. The network then knows where to send the message, and where it came from.

IP

Question 18

What happens in the link layer

Answer 18

enables the transfer of packets between nodes on a network, and between one network and another.

Ethernet/MAC address

Question 19

What are the benefits of layers

Answer 19

-Layering allows standards to be put in place and simply adapted as new hardware and software is developed.
- Each layer can be adapted without affecting other layers