Cabling & Topology

Question 1

bus topology

Answer 1

uses a single cable (the bus) that connects all computers in a line

data from each computer goes out on entire bus

needs termination to prevent reflection from bringing down the network

single break - network down

Question 2

ring topology

Answer 2

connects all computers with a ring of cable

data moves from 1 computer to the next in the same direction

no need for termination

single break - network down

Question 3

star topology

Answer 3

uses a central connection box for all computers on the network

fault tolerance - 1 connection can be interrupted without affecting others

Question 4

hybrid topology

Answer 4

any topology that combines a physical & (signaling) logical topology

Question 5

physical topology

Answer 5

how cables appear physically in topology

Question 6

signaling (logical) topology

Answer 6

how signals travel electrically in topology

Question 7

2 topologies used in almost all wireless networks

Answer 7

mesh

point-to-multipoint

Question 8

mesh topology

Answer 8

every computer connects to every other computer via 2 or more routes

fully meshed = every computer connects directly with ever other computer

partially meshed = at least 2 machines have redundant connections

Question 9

point-to-multipoint topology

Answer 9

single system acts as a common source through which all members of network communicate

differs from star - central box is intelligent device

Question 10

point-to-point topology

Answer 10

2 computers connected directly with no need for central device

wired or wireless

Question 11

network technology

Answer 11

practical application of a topology & other critical technologies that provide a method to get data from 1 computer to another on a network

Question 12

2 primary types of copper wiring

Answer 12

twisted pair

coaxial

Question 13

coaxial cable

Answer 13

contains a conductor wire (usually copper) surrounded by a braided metal shield

radio grade (RG) rating

Question 14

coaxial connector

Answer 14

F-connector

screws on to threaded port

Question 15

cable modems connect with [blank] coax cable

Answer 15

RG-6

RG-59 (rarely, Cable TV)

Question 16

Ohm rating

Answer 16

relative measure of the resistance on the cable

RG-6 & RG-59 rated at 75 Ohms

Question 17

coax cables split with [ 1 ] joined with [ 2 ]

Answer 17

1 - splitter

2 - barrel connector

Question 18

UTP twist benefit

Answer 18

reduces crosstalk

more twists = less crosstalk

Question 19

shielded twisted pair (STP)

Answer 19

twisted pairs surrounded by shielding to protect wires from EMI

rare - excessive electronic noise

Question 20

unshielded twisted pair (UTP)

Answer 20

twisted pairs surrounded by plastic jacket

no EMI protection

by far most popular modern cable

Question 21

category (CAT) ratings

Answer 21

rating in megahertz (MHz) indicating highest frequency a cable can handle

used to select correct cable for the technology

Question 22

frequency of CAT ratings

Answer 22

number of cycles per second

Question 23

bandwidth

Answer 23

maximum amount of data that can move through a cable per second

Question 24

bandwidth - efficiency encoding schemes

Answer 24

maximizing bits into a signal as long as the cable can handle it

Question 25

UTP connectors

Answer 25

RJ-45 (4 pairs | networks) RJ-11 (2 pairs | phones)

Question 26

fiber-optic core

Answer 26

glass fiber

Question 27

fiber-optic cladding

Answer 27

part that makes light reflect down the fiber

Question 28

fiber-optic buffer

Answer 28

material used to give cable strength

Question 29

fiber-optic cable

Answer 29

transmits light rather than energy speed, distance, EMI resistance core, cladding, buffer, insulating jacket

Question 30

fiber-optic cable sizing

Answer 30

different diameter core & cladding 2 number designator - measured in micrometers 62.5/125 is most common size

Question 31

fiber light transmission

Answer 31

regular light or laser each require different type of cable

Question 32

fiber network installation requirements

Answer 32

pairs of fiber cables 1 to send - 1 to receive duplex fiber cabling combines cables in 1 jacket

Question 33

MMF

Answer 33

multimode fiber fiber-optic cable that uses LED to send signals most common

Question 34

SMF

Answer 34

single-mode fiber fiber-optic cable that uses lasers to send signals

Question 35

benefit of SMF over MMF

Answer 35

no modal distortion

Question 36

modal distortion

Answer 36

signals sent at the same time don't arrive at the same time signals differ slightly in length

Question 37

fiber-optic signal wavelengths

Answer 37

MMF - 850 nm SMF - 1310 or 1550 nm

Question 38

fiber-optic connectors

Answer 38

ST - single, round, snap / twist SC - single, square LC - duplex, square MT-RJ - duplex, square, slim

Question 39

classic serial cables

Answer 39

predates networking & PC RS-232 - recommended standard upon which all serial communication takes place slow connection speeds (56,000 bps) only point-to-point

Question 40

serial connectors

Answer 40

9-pin - male D-subminiature (DB-9) most common

Question 41

parallel cables

Answer 41

as old as serial cables only point-to-point up to 2 Mbps (much slower for networking)

Question 42

parallel connectors

Answer 42

25-pin female DB (DB-25)

Question 43

fire ratings - PVC

Answer 43

polyvinyl chloride no significant fire protection produces a lot of smoke & toxic fumes

Question 44

fire ratings - plenum

Answer 44

creates much less smoke & fumes more expensive usually required by ordinance

Question 45

standards defined by 802 committee

Answer 45

frames speeds distances type of cabling

Question 46

IEEE 802.3

Answer 46

Ethernet lots of subcommittees

Question 47

IEEE 802.11

Answer 47

Wireless LAN (WLAN) specifications i.e. WiFi many subcomittees

Question 48

CAT 3

Answer 48

16 MHz 16 Mbps

Question 49

CAT 5

Answer 49

100 MHz 100 Mbps

Question 50

CAT 5e

Answer 50

100 MHz 1,000 Mbps

Question 51

CAT 6

Answer 51

250 MHz 10,000 Mbps 100 m in 10/100/1000BaseT networks 55 m in 10GBaseT networks

Question 52

CAT 6a

Answer 52

500 MHz 10,000 Mbps 100 m in 10GBase T