Intro to Networks Flashcards
What is a LAN?
Local Area Network - A Local Area Network defines a small geographical area in which multiple computers and other devices are connected. LANs can be set up in homes and small businesses and can be managed individually or centrally.
What is a WAN?
Wide area Network - A Wide Area Network is spread across an unlimited geographical area and connects between multiple LANs. WANs are usually managed by several service providers.
What is a MAN?
Metropolitan Area Network - A Metropolitan Area Network is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. In most cases, it is managed by a city municipality and enables connection to broader networks.
What is a SAN?
Storage Area Network - A Storage Area Network is a dedicated network that supports file servers and provides efficient transfer of unusually large data sizes at extremely high rates.
SAN networks are usually found in large companies and data centers
What are Endpoint Devices?
Devices that connect to a network for communication purposes, such as computers, phones, and others. All endpoint devices have unique addresses that identify them on the network.
Endpoint devices must have the ability to connect to a network via a NIC (Network Interface Controller), to be able to send and receive information.
What is media?
‘Media’, based on the word ‘medium’ (meaning ‘in between’) is a means of transferring data, such as metallic wire, glass or plastic fiber, wireless radio frequencies, and others.
What are Intermediary Devices?
Devices that transfer messages over the network and facilitate communication between end devices.
What is a NIC?
A Network Interface Controller (NIC) allows endpoint devices to interact with other devices over a network. Other names for NIC include:
• Network Adapter
• LAN Adapter
• Physical Network Interface
What are Network Devices?
Network devices act as bridges, interconnecting endpoint devices. Smart network devices know how to differentiate between devices, and can send data to specific destinations. Unlike smart devices, simple network devices send information indiscriminately across a network.
What are Switches?
For multiple endpoint devices to communicate with each other, a mechanism needs to be set up to handle the transfers. A switch is a network device with physical ports to which endpoint devices can be connected via Ethernet cables to create a network. Switches use MAC addresses to pass information from one device to another.
What is a Hub?
Hubs were used to relay data to multiple devices in a LAN. They broadcast data to all connected devices, as opposed to a switch which sends information to dedicated destinations.
What are Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switches?
Layer 2 Switch - This is the most common and basic switch in use. It uses MAC addresses to forward information to specific destinations within the network.
Layer 3 Switch - A layer 3 switch performs the same operations as a layer 2 switch, but can also function as a router if it is configured to do so.
What is a Router?
While switches allow devices to interact in the same network, routers allow them to communicate with different networks.
A router connects networks and allows communication between endpoint devices in different networks.
Routers use IP addresses to route information among networks.
Ethernet Cable Types - Type, Max Distance, Max Speed
Cat-5 - 100m, 100 Mbs/s Cat-5e - 100m. 1 Gb/s Cat-6 - 100m, 1 Gb/s (10gb/s up to 55m) Cat-6a - 100m, 10 Gb/s Cat-7 - 100m, 10 Gb/s (100Gb/s for 50m)
Name 4 Topology Types
Point to Point
Star
Mesh
Hybrid
