Networks

Question 1

What is a network

Answer 1

Two or more computers connected together that transmit data

Question 2

What are protocols

Answer 2

Sets of rules defining how two devices communicate with each other

Question 3

Why are protocols standard

Answer 3

So that devices from different manufacturers don’t have problems communicating

Question 4

Describe the structure of the Internet

Answer 4

The Internet is a global network of
interconnected networks

Question 5

What does TCP stand for?

Answer 5

Transmission Control Protocol

Question 6

What does IP stand for?

Answer 6

Internet Protocol

Question 7

What is the function of the application layer during data transmission?

Answer 7

The Application Layer specifies what protocols need to be used to relate the application to what it’s being used for

Question 8

What is the role of the transport layer during data transmission

Answer 8

Establishes an end-to-end connection between the source and recipient computers. It also splits up the data into packets

Question 9

What is the role of the network layer during data transmission

Answer 9

Adds the source and destination IP addresses

Question 10

What is the function of the link layer during data transmission

Answer 10

Adds the MAC addresses to the packet

Question 11

What does the application layer do when it receives data?

Answer 11

Presents data in the form it was sent

Question 12

What does the transport layer do when it receives the data

Answer 12

Removes the port number and reassembles the packets

Question 13

What does the network layer do when it receives the data

Answer 13

Removes the IP addresses

Question 14

What does the link layer do when it receives the data

Answer 14

Removes the MAC addresses

Question 15

What is a local area network

Answer 15

A network spread over a small geographical area / positioned on a single site

Question 16

What is a wide area network?

Answer 16

A network spread over a large geographical area, usually requiring extra hardware

Question 17

What does DNS stand for

Answer 17

Domain Name System

Question 18

What is DNS?

Answer 18

The name given to the method of naming
internet resources. (.com, .uk etc)

Question 19

What is circuit switching?

Answer 19

The process of creating a direct link
between two devices and transferring
data the entire duration of the link

Question 20

What is a requirement of circuit switching?

Answer 20

The transfer and download rates must be
identical on both devices

Question 21

What is packet switching?

Answer 21

A method of communicating packets of
data across a network

Question 22

Give an advantage of packet switching

Answer 22

• Multiple methods to ensure data arrives correctly
• Multiple methods to arrive to destination, if one breaks you can always go through another route
• Transfer packets over a very large network

Question 23

Give a disadvantage of packet switching

Answer 23

• Time is spent deconstructing and
  reconstructing the packets

Question 24

Give the advantages of circuit switching

Answer 24

• Data arrives in a logical order which results in a quicker reconstruction of data
• Enables two users to hold a call without any delay in speech

Question 25

Give the disadvantages of circuit switching

Answer 25

- Bandwidth is wasted during periods when no data is sent - Devices must transfer and download at the same rate - Switches introduce electrical interference which can corrupt or destroy data

Question 26

What does the header of a data packet contain?

Answer 26

- The sender and recipient IP addresses - Protocols being used - Order of the packets - The time to live / hop limit

Question 27

What does the packet payload contain?

Answer 27

The raw data

Question 28

What does the packet trailer contain

Answer 28

The checksum or cyclic redundancy check

Question 29

What is the purpose of a firewall?

Answer 29

To prevent unauthorised access to a network

Question 30

What is a firewall made up of?

Answer 30

- Two network interface cards - Firewall software

Question 31

What is a proxy

Answer 31

A web server that acts as an intermediary, collecting and sending data on behalf of a user, protecting their identity

Question 32

Give two advantages of using a proxy

Answer 32

- Allows users to remain anonymous - Data can be cached making it faster to load - Reduces web traffic

Question 33

What is the function of a network interface card

Answer 33

Connects a computer to a network

Question 34

What is the function of a switch

Answer 34

Directs the flow of data across a network, commonly used in Star topologies

Question 35

What is the function of a router?

Answer 35

Connects two networks together

Question 36

What is the function of a gateway?

Answer 36

Connects two networks and translates protocols so they can communicate without any issues

Question 37

What is client-server networking

Answer 37

A relationship between terminals (computers) and a single server which allows them to communicate, and share resources

Question 38

Give an advantage of client-server networking

Answer 38

- Increased security - Central single backups - Data and resources can be shared

Question 39

Name the disadvantages of client-server networking

Answer 39

- Expensive to set up - Trained staff are required to maintain the network

Question 40

What is peer-to-peer networking?

Answer 40

A network where the terminals are all connected to each other to share resources

Question 41

Give two advantages of peer-to-peer networks

Answer 41

- Cheaper to set up - Easy to share resources - Easy to maintain

Question 42

Give two disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks

Answer 42

- Peer-to-Peer networks can be used to contribute towards piracy - Each computer has to be backed up independently