Networking Concepts

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a network?

Answer 1

To transfer data (voice, video, or other data) between machines

Networks facilitate communication and resource sharing among devices.

Question 2

What are clients in a network?

Answer 2

Devices that users use to access the network

Examples include workstations, laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats.

Question 3

What role do servers play in a network?

Answer 3

Provide resources such as files, email, or web pages

Examples include email servers, file servers, and web servers.

Question 4

What are hubs and why are they considered outdated?

Answer 4

Devices for connecting multiple devices in a LAN that broadcast data to all ports

They lead to network congestion and collisions and have been replaced by bridges and switches.

Question 5

How do switches differ from hubs?

Answer 5

Switches forward traffic only to the specific device intended to receive it

This improves security and bandwidth efficiency.

Question 6

What is the function of Wireless Access Points (WAPs)?

Answer 6

Enable wireless devices to connect to wired networks

They use radio frequency waves to broadcast data.

Question 7

What is the primary function of routers?

Answer 7

Connect different networks together and make forwarding decisions based on IP addresses

They use routing protocols to send data across complex networks, including the internet.

Question 8

What is the role of firewalls in a network?

Answer 8

Act as security barriers between internal networks and external sources

They control traffic using security rules and access control lists (ACLs).

Question 9

What do load balancers do?

Answer 9

Distribute traffic across multiple servers to prevent overloading any single server

They improve efficiency, reliability, and performance of services.

Question 10

What is a proxy server?

Answer 10

An intermediary between user devices and the internet

Functions include web filtering, caching, and shared internet access.

Question 11

What does IDS stand for and what is its function?

Answer 11

Intrusion Detection System; it detects and alerts on suspicious activity

IDS is crucial for identifying potential security breaches.

Question 12

What does IPS stand for and what is its function?

Answer 12

Intrusion Prevention System; it detects threats and takes action to block or drop malicious traffic

IPS actively protects the network from intrusions.

Question 13

What are controllers used for in Software-Defined Networking (SDN)?

Answer 13

Centralized devices that manage network flow via software

They provide flexibility and efficiency by controlling switches and routers programmatically.

Question 14

What is Network-Attached Storage (NAS)?

Answer 14

A dedicated file storage system connected to a network

It allows multiple clients to access centralized storage.

Question 15

What is a Storage Area Network (SAN)?

Answer 15

A high-speed network for block-level storage access

It connects servers to large-scale storage devices like disk arrays and tape libraries.

Question 16

What is meant by media in networking?

Answer 16

The physical or wireless method for transmitting data

Types include copper cables, fiber optics, and wireless signals.

Question 17

What are WAN links used for?

Answer 17

Connect geographically distant networks

Technologies include leased lines, satellites, and cellular networks.

Question 18

What are the two main models for moving data around a network?

Answer 18

The client-server model and the peer-to-peer model

Question 19

What does the client-server model use to provide access to network resources?

Answer 19

A dedicated server

Question 20

What is a key advantage of the client-server model?

Answer 20

Centralized administration

Question 21

List some benefits of the client-server model.

Answer 21

• Easier management
• Better scalability
• Centralized administration

Question 22

What is a significant drawback of the client-server model?

Answer 22

Higher costs due to dedicated hardware and software

Question 23

What type of machines can share resources directly in the peer-to-peer model?

Answer 23

Peers, such as laptops and desktops

Question 24

What is a major disadvantage of the peer-to-peer model?

Answer 24

Difficult administration and backup

Question 25

Fill in the blank: The peer-to-peer model is _______ efficient for large networks.

Answer 25

extremely inefficient

Question 26

What was a famous software that exemplified the peer-to-peer model?

Answer 26

Napster

Question 27

What is a benefit of the peer-to-peer model?

Answer 27

Low-cost setup

Question 28

What happens if a machine is turned off in a peer-to-peer network?

Answer 28

No access to shared resources

Question 29

What is a key characteristic of management in a peer-to-peer network?

Answer 29

Decentralized management

Question 30

How does scalability in the peer-to-peer model compare to the client-server model?

Answer 30

Peer-to-peer has poor scalability

Question 31

True or False: The benefits of the client-server model are drawbacks of the peer-to-peer model.

Answer 31

True

Question 32

What is the main focus for business networks regarding data models?

Answer 32

Client-server model

Question 33

List the key aspects to remember for the exam regarding network models.

Answer 33

* Understand client-server model * Understand peer-to-peer model * Know benefits and drawbacks of each

Question 34

What is the smallest type of network known as?

Answer 34

Personal Area Network (PAN) ## Footnote A PAN usually covers about 10 feet or less, typically using technologies like Bluetooth and USB.

Question 35

What are two examples of Personal Area Networks?

Answer 35

* Bluetooth * USB ## Footnote Bluetooth operates at about 10 feet or three meters, while USB connections can also be considered PANs.

Question 36

What is the maximum distance covered by a Local Area Network (LAN)?

Answer 36

Up to about 100 meters (300 feet) ## Footnote This distance can vary depending on the cabling used, such as Cat 5 or fiber optic.

Question 37

What standard is used for Ethernet connections?

Answer 37

IEEE 802.3 ## Footnote Ethernet is commonly used in LAN setups.

Question 38

What standard is used for Wi-Fi connections?

Answer 38

IEEE 802.11 ## Footnote This standard is important for wireless network setups.

Question 39

What is a Campus Area Network (CAN)?

Answer 39

A building-centric LAN spread across multiple buildings ## Footnote CANs can cover several miles and are commonly found in college campuses or business parks.

Question 40

What is the distance range of a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)?

Answer 40

Up to about 25 miles ## Footnote A MAN connects locations scattered across an entire city.

Question 41

What is the largest type of network known as?

Answer 41

Wide Area Network (WAN) ## Footnote A WAN connects geographically disparate internal networks and can span states, countries, or even the world.

Question 42

True or False: The internet is considered a Wide Area Network.

Answer 42

True ## Footnote The internet is the largest example of a WAN.

Question 43

What is an example of a Wide Area Network connection for a company?

Answer 43

Connecting offices in different states over a private intranet ## Footnote This allows multiple local area networks to communicate across large distances.

Question 44

Fill in the blank: A _______ connects components in a limited distance, typically up to 100 meters.

Answer 44

Local Area Network (LAN) ## Footnote LANs can consist of either wired or wireless connections.

Question 45

What is the typical coverage area of a Personal Area Network?

Answer 45

About 10 feet or less ## Footnote This includes connections like Bluetooth and USB.

Question 46

What is the difference between a Campus Area Network and a Local Area Network?

Answer 46

A CAN connects multiple LANs across several buildings ## Footnote A LAN typically covers a single building or a limited area.

Question 47

What are examples of networks that make up a Metropolitan Area Network?

Answer 47

* Multiple college campuses * City departments like DMV or police departments ## Footnote These networks are interconnected within a city.

Question 48

What type of network is formed when multiple Local Area Networks are connected across a city?

Answer 48

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) ## Footnote A MAN is larger than a CAN but smaller than a WAN.

Question 49

What is the typical range of a Wide Area Network?

Answer 49

Across states, countries, or even worldwide ## Footnote WANs can connect users over vast geographic areas.

Question 50

In the context of vehicle networks, what does PAN, LAN, and WAN represent?

Answer 50

* PAN: Bluetooth connection between phone and car stereo * LAN: Wi-Fi connection between car and home network * WAN: Cellular connection to the internet ## Footnote This illustrates how different network types function within a single vehicle.

Question 51

What is a network topology?

Answer 51

The arrangement of links

Question 52

Why is understanding network topologies important?

Answer 52

It helps in designing efficient and resilient network infrastructures.

Question 53

What are the two main ways to document network topologies?

Answer 53

Physical topology and logical topology.

Question 54

What does a physical topology show?

Answer 54

The actual physical connections and cabling between network devices.

Question 55

What does a logical topology show?

Answer 55

How data flows through the network

Question 56

How many types of wired network topologies are discussed?

Answer 56

Six types.

Question 57

What is a point-to-point topology?

Answer 57

A direct connection between two devices.

Question 58

Where is point-to-point topology commonly used?

Answer 58

For small connections like a computer to a printer

Question 59

What is a ring topology?

Answer 59

Devices are connected in a circular path

Question 60

What is the main weakness of ring topology?

Answer 60

A single node failure can disrupt the entire network unless redundancy is present.

Question 61

What is FDDI and its role in ring topologies?

Answer 61

Fiber Distributed Data Interface; uses dual rings for redundancy in fiber networks.

Question 62

What is a bus topology?

Answer 62

All devices are connected to a single central cable called a bus.

Question 63

What are limitations of a bus topology?

Answer 63

Main cable failure disables the network; performance decreases as more devices are added.

Question 64

What is a star topology?

Answer 64

All devices are connected to a central switch or hub.

Question 65

What is a key advantage of star topology?

Answer 65

Failure of one link doesn’t affect others.

Question 66

What is a key disadvantage of star topology?

Answer 66

If the central switch fails

Question 67

What is a hub-and-spoke topology?

Answer 67

A variation of star topology where all data flows through central hubs.

Question 68

Where is hub-and-spoke commonly used?

Answer 68

Airline routes and telecommunications.

Question 69

What is a mesh topology?

Answer 69

Every node connects directly to every other node.

Question 70

What are the two types of mesh topology?

Answer 70

Full mesh and partial mesh.

Question 71

What is the formula for full-mesh connections?

Answer 71

n(n - 1) / 2

Question 72

What is the trade-off with full-mesh topology?

Answer 72

High redundancy but expensive and complex to implement.

Question 73

What is a partial-mesh topology?

Answer 73

Only some nodes are fully interconnected; others connect to key nodes.

Question 74

Which topology is simple and reliable but not scalable?

Answer 74

Point-to-point.

Question 75

Which topologies are outdated and vulnerable to single failures?

Answer 75

Ring and bus.

Question 76

Which topologies allow centralized management but depend on a central device?

Answer 76

Star and hub-and-spoke.

Question 77

Which topology is highly robust but costly?

Answer 77

Full mesh.