Network Protocols

Question 1

What is a protocol?

Answer 1

A protocol is a set of rules for how devices communicate and how data is transmitted across a network.

Question 2

What do protocols cover in network communication?

Answer 2

• How communication between two devices should start and end
• How the data should be organized
• What the devices should do if data goes missing

Question 3

What is the purpose of MAC addresses?

Answer 3

MAC addresses are used to uniquely identify devices on a single network.

Question 4

Who assigns MAC addresses to devices?

Answer 4

MAC addresses are assigned to all network-enabled devices by the manufacturer.

Question 5

Can MAC addresses be changed?

Answer 5

No, MAC addresses are unique to the device and cannot be changed.

Question 6

What are MAC addresses made of?

Answer 6

MAC addresses are 48 or 64-bit binary numbers.

Question 7

How are MAC addresses represented for ease of use?

Answer 7

MAC addresses are converted into hexadecimals.

Question 8

What is an example of a hexadecimal representation of a MAC address?

Answer 8

98-81-55-CD-F2-2F

Question 9

What protocol mainly uses MAC addresses?

Answer 9

MAC addresses are mainly used by the Ethernet protocol on LANs.

Question 10

How do LAN switches utilize MAC addresses?

Answer 10

LAN switches read the MAC addresses and use them to direct data to the right device.

Question 11

What are IP addresses used for?

Answer 11

IP addresses are used when sending data between different networks, such as over the Internet between TCP/IP networks

Question 12

How are IP addresses assigned?

Answer 12

IP addresses can be assigned manually (static) or automatically (dynamic).

Question 13

What is a static IP address?

Answer 13

A static IP address is a permanent address used to connect devices like printers on a LAN and for hosting websites.

Question 14

Why can static IP addresses be expensive?

Answer 14

Static IP addresses on the Internet can be very expensive because businesses pay big money for them.

Question 15

What is a dynamic IP address?

Answer 15

A dynamic IP address is assigned to a device by a network server and may change every time the device logs on to the network.

Question 16

Who commonly uses dynamic IP addresses?

Answer 16

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) commonly use dynamic IP addresses.

Question 17

What are the two versions of IP addresses based on their length?

Answer 17

• 32-bit
• 128-bit

Question 18

How is a 32-bit binary IP address translated?

Answer 18

A 32-bit binary IP address is translated into four decimal numbers.

Question 19

What is an example of a 32-bit binary IP address?

Answer 19

00100101.10011001.00111110.10001000

Question 20

What is the decimal representation of the example IP address 00100101.10011001.00111110.10001000?

Answer 20

37.153.62.136

Question 21

What is the primary method of data transmission within a LAN?

Answer 21

Data is sent in frames and directed by switches using MAC addresses.

Question 22

How is data sent between networks, such as over the Internet?

Answer 22

Data is sent in packets and directed by routers using IP addresses.

Question 23

What are data packets split into when sent over networks using TCP/IP?

Answer 23

Equal-sized packets.

Question 24

What information does the header of a data packet contain?

Answer 24

The packet’s destination address, source address, and packet number.

Question 25

What is the payload of a data packet?

Answer 25

The actual data being sent, such as part of an email, document, web page, or streamed video.

Question 26

What is the purpose of a checksum in a data packet?

Answer 26

To validate that the payload data hasn't been corrupted during transit.

Question 27

What is packet switching?

Answer 27

A method used by routers to direct data packets on the Internet and other IP networks.

Question 28

What happens when a sending device splits data into packets?

Answer 28

Each packet is given a packet number to show the order of the data.

Question 29

How do routers determine the next destination for a packet?

Answer 29

Each router reads the packet header and decides according to IP rules.

Question 30

What can affect the route that packets take across the network?

Answer 30

Network traffic.

Question 31

What may happen if a router receives too many packets at once?

Answer 31

It may prioritize some packets over others.

Question 32

What issue can arise with packet delivery order?

Answer 32

Packets can arrive in the wrong order.

Question 33

How does the receiving device reassemble packets?

Answer 33

By using the packet numbers.

Question 34

What does the receiving device do if it detects missing packets?

Answer 34

It sends a timeout message back to the sending device.

Question 35

What happens when all data packets are received and checksums match?

Answer 35

A receipt confirmation is sent to the sending device.

Question 36

Why is packet switching considered efficient?

Answer 36

Because there are many possible routes that data can take, allowing packets to reach their destination even in heavy traffic.

Question 37

What is the most important network protocol?

Answer 37

TCP/IP ## Footnote TCP/IP dictates how data is sent between networks, such as over the Internet.

Question 38

What does TCP stand for?

Answer 38

Transmission Control Protocol ## Footnote TCP sets the rules for how devices connect on the network.

Question 39

What is the function of TCP?

Answer 39

Splitting data into packets and reassembling them at the receiving device ## Footnote TCP also checks that data is correctly sent and delivered.

Question 40

What does IP stand for?

Answer 40

Internet Protocol ## Footnote IP is responsible for packet switching.

Question 41

What is the purpose of HTTP?

Answer 41

Used by web browsers to access websites and communicate with web servers ## Footnote HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol.

Question 42

What does HTTPS provide?

Answer 42

A more secure version of HTTP that encrypts all information sent and received ## Footnote HTTPS stands for HTTP Secure.

Question 43

What is FTP used for?

Answer 43

Accessing, editing, and moving files between devices on a network ## Footnote FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol.

Question 44

What is POP3 used for?

Answer 44

POP3 is used to retrieve emails from a server. ## Footnote The server holds the email until you download it and then it is deleted from the server

Question 45

What is the main difference between POP3 and IMAP?

Answer 45

POP3 deletes emails from the server after downloading, while IMAP keeps emails on the server ## Footnote IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol.

Question 46

What does SMTP stand for?

Answer 46

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol ## Footnote SMTP is used to send emails and transfer emails between servers.

Question 47

What is a layer in network protocols?

Answer 47

A group of protocols with similar functions ## Footnote Layers are self-contained and only pass data between adjacent layers.

Question 48

How do layers interact with each other?

Answer 48

Data can only be passed between adjacent layers ## Footnote E.g., Layer 2 can pass data to Layers 1 and 3.

Question 49

What is the function of the Application Layer?

Answer 49

Turning data into websites and applications and vice versa ## Footnote This is Layer 4 in the network protocol model.

Question 50

What does the Transport Layer do?

Answer 50

Controls data flow, splits data into packets, and checks packet delivery ## Footnote This is Layer 3 in the network protocol model.

Question 51

What is the purpose of the Network Layer?

Answer 51

Makes connections between networks, directs data packets, and handles traffic ## Footnote This is Layer 2 in the network protocol model.

Question 52

What does the Data Link Layer do?

Answer 52

Passes data over the physical network and is responsible for bit transmission ## Footnote This is Layer 1 in the network protocol model.

Question 53

What is one advantage of using layers in network protocols?

Answer 53

It breaks network communication into manageable pieces ## Footnote This allows developers to concentrate on one area without worrying about others.

Question 54

True or False: Layers in network protocols can be changed without affecting other layers.

Answer 54

True ## Footnote Layers are self-contained.

Question 55

What is a benefit of having set rules for each layer?

Answer 55

Forces companies to make compatible, universal hardware and software ## Footnote This ensures different brands will work with each other.