Topic 4: Network and Topologies

Question 1

What is a LAN

Answer 1

A LAN is a network that is geographically confined to one building or site and is maintained by the organization

Question 2

What is a WAN

Answer 2

A wide area network (WAN) is a network that is spread over a wide geographical area. It can cover more than one site, or be spread across a country, or even the world and is maintained by multiple organizations

Question 3

What is network performance

Answer 3

Network performance is about response time - how fast a message can be sent or how quickly a document can be retrieved.

Question 4

What factors affect a network’s performance

Answer 4

-Number of devices connected
-Bandwidth of transmission media
-Network traffic
-Latency
-Number of transmission errors

Question 5

What is bandwidth

Answer 5

Bandwidth is a measure of the amount of data that the medium can transfer over a given period of time.

Question 6

What is latency

Answer 6

Network latency is a measure of how long it takes a message to travel from one device to another across a network.

Question 7

T/F: A hub based network will experience low latency

Answer 7

False

Question 8

What is the role of a fiber optic cable

Answer 8

It allows for high data transmission between buildings

Question 9

What is a server

Answer 9

A server is a computer that monitors and stores files or provides a service to the other computer on the network

Question 10

What is the purpose of an NIC

Answer 10

A NIC provides a method of connecting to a network by having an interface port for a wired connection and in the case of a wireless NIC provides a radio transmitter

Question 11

What are transmission media

Answer 11

Transmission media carry data signals from one computer to another

Question 12

What are the advantages of a twisted copper cable over a fiber optic

Answer 12

-Cheaper

Question 13

What are the advantages of a fiber optic cable over a twisted copper cable

Answer 13

-It can transmit over 40 terabits a second
-It can travel 2km

Question 14

What is a hub

Answer 14

A hub is a small device that allows wired devices to connect to a network. This affects network performance as many unnecessary signals are transmitted across its connections.

Question 15

What is the role of a switch

Answer 15

A switch records which computers are connected to which ports. When traffic is received, the switch forwards the traffic to its intended recipient only. This improves network performance by cutting down on unnecessary transmissions.

Question 16

What is the role of a WAP

Answer 16

A wireless access point (WAP) uses a radio transceiver to allow wireless connections to a network. In effect, the WAP creates its own wireless network, which devices connect to.

Question 17

What does a router do

Answer 17

They are used to send data signals across the internet. Routers work by collecting knowledge of available routes to transmit data. They then determine the most suitable route for sending data

Question 18

What does it mean by the term ‘‘hosting’’

Answer 18

Hosting is the storing of files and data on a web server. The web server is referred to as a host.

Question 19

What is a DNS

Answer 19

A domain name server takes the domain name and looks up its equivalent network address. The user’s request is then forwarded to the server that resides at that network address.

Question 20

What is the role of The cloud

Answer 20

The cloud is a generic term for remotely accessed storage. This storage is accessed through the internet. Users do not actually know where their data is stored

Question 21

What are the advantages of the cloud

Answer 21

-The ability to access files from any location or any device, so long as an internet connection exists
-Similarly, access can be granted to another user so they can remotely access your data
-Reduced need to make backups- cloud storage services back up the data for you

Question 22

What are some disadvantages of the cloud

Answer 22

-There is no guarantee that someone else is not accessing your data
-There is no guarantee that your data is being backed-up
-Access to data is only possible with an internet connection - no connection means no access to data

Question 23

What is a node

Answer 23

Any device connected to a network

Question 24

What is a network topology

Answer 24

Any arrangement of nodes in a network so long as they are all connected to each other

Question 25

What is the arrangement in a star topology

Answer 25

In a star topology all nodes indirectly connect to each other through one or more switches. The switch acts as a central point through which all communications are passed.

Question 26

What are the advantages of using a star topology

Answer 26

-Each node is separately connected, therefore a failure of one node or its link, (transmission media), does not affect any other nodes
-New nodes can be added to the network simply by connecting them to the switch
-Star networks tend to have higher performance as a message is passed on to its intended recipient only

Question 27

What are the disadvantage of using a star topology

Answer 27

-The whole network fails if the switch fails as no node can communicate
-A wired star topology requires plenty of cable - in a large network this can be expensive

Question 28

What is the arrangement in a mesh topology

Answer 28

In a mesh topology there is no central connection point. Instead, each node is connected to at least one other node and usually to more than one. Each node is capable of sending messages to and receiving messages from other nodes. The nodes act as relays, passing on a message towards its final destination.