Unit 5 Networks and Web Technologies Flashcards
What is the largest Network in the world?
The Internet
What is the Internet?
A network of inter-connected networks
What is the World Wide Web?
A collection of resources accessed via the Internet
What is the main part of the Internet known as?
The backbone
What is the Backbone of the Internet?
A set of dedicated connections that connect several large networks at various points on the globe. Each of these points are then connected to other regional networks, usually controlled by Internet Service Providers
What does an ISP do?
Internet Service Providers
Provides access to individual end-users
What is an Internet Address?
Each device on a network needs to be uniquely identified so that data can be sent to the correct destination, much like an address on a letter
What is a URL stand for?
Uniform Resource Locator
What does a URL do?
Specifies the means of accessing a resource across a network and its location
The protocol and the domain name of the resource together form the URL
What is a DNS?
Domain Name System
Servers are dedicated computers with an index of domain names and their corresponding IP addresses
How many DNS servers work together to catalogue every domain name
13
Why do we not use IP addresses directly in a browser?
Because URLs are much more user friendly and easier to remember
What could happen when the DNS Server does not have a record for a specific domain? (2)
- It could recursively handle the request so that it can eventually deliver an IP address or print an error message
- It could refer to a DNS server authoritative
Why must Domain Names be unique?
Because otherwise the DNS request could be confused
What are Internet Registries?
Organizations that control the allocation of domain names and IP addresses
How many global Internet Registries are there?
5
Who issues available Domain Names?
Internet Registries
What is a LAN?
Local Area Network
Two or more computers connected together within a small geographical area
What is a WAN?
Wide Area Network
A large network of information that is not tied to a single location
What is a Network Topology?
The arrangement of the various computing devices which make up a computer network
What is a Bus Topology?
An arrangement where nodes are connected in a daisy chain by a single central communications channel
What are the advantages of a Bus Topology? (3)
- Inexpensive to set up
- Devices can be easily added
- Good for small networks
How does a Bus Topology work? (5)
- All nodes are connected to a single backbone cable
- Each end of the backbone is connected to either a terminator or a computer which stops signals ‘bouncing back’
- Each node is passive
- Data is sent in one direction at a time only
- Only one computer can transmit successfully at any one time
What the disadvantages of a Bus Topology? (4)
- Main cable is a point of failure
- Limited cable length
- Performance degrades with heavy use because of data collisions
- Poor security
What is a Star Topology?
An arrangement where a central node or hub provides a common connection point for all other nodes
What are the advantages of a Star Topology? (3)
- Easy to isolate problems
- Good performance
- More secure if a switch is used because data is only sent to recipient
How does a Star Topology work? (2)
- Computers are connected to a central node. This is often a switch
- A switch sends each communication to the specific computer it is intended for
What are the disadvantages of a Star Topology? (2)
- Can be expensive to set up because of the length of cable required
- Central device is point of failure
What is a Physical Topology?
How the devices are physically connected
What is a Logical Topology?
How the devices communicate across the physical topologies
What is Wifi?
A wireless networking technology providing high-speed Internet and network connections
What does WAP stand for?
Wireless network Access Point
What happens in Circuit Switching?
A communication connection is created between 2 endpoints for the duration of a phone call or transfer of data
What happens in Packet Switching?
Packets are often sent across networks that have multiple connections with multiple routes through a destination
What does a Router do?
Forwards data packets from one network to another
How to Routers work? (4)
- Each router stores data about the available routes to the destination node
- Looks up the destination IP address in its routing table to find the best router to forward the packet to
- Each transfer between routers is known as a hop
- Routers continue to forward the packet until it reaches its destination node
What is a Packet Split into? (3)
- Trailer
- Payload
- Header
What does a Packet Header Contain? (4)
- The recipient’s address so that it can be directed appropriately across the network
- Senders address so that replies can be sent appropriately
- The packet number and overall number of packets in the transmission to assist in reassembling the data
- The Time To Live (TTL) or hop limit is also included
What does a Packet Trailer Contain?
Error checking components to verify the data received in the payload has not been corrupted on transfer
What is a Protocol?
A set of rules, or a formal description, of the format of a digital transmission. It will cover, for example, the size of the packets, the contents and format of the header, the error detection and correction procedure
When is a Gateway required?
When data is travelling from one network to another that use different protocols
Why are Protocols important?
They make sure that all data being transfered in consistent which is needed for communication to work
What is a TCP/IP Stack?
A set of rules used in turn, to format a message so it can be sent over a network. Each layer provides a specific function within the transmission of the message
What are the layers of a TCP/IP Stack? (4)
- Application layer
- Transport layer
- Internet layer
- Link layer