Networks

47 important questions on Networks

What is a logical topology?

Shows how the devices appear connected to the user

What is a Physical topology?

A physical topology details how the devices will physically connect to each other, for example with Ethernet cabling.

What is a Virtual Network?

A virtual network is a computer network that consists of virtual network links. A virtual network link is a link that does not consist of a physical (wired or wireless) connection between two computing devices but is implemented using methods of network virtualization.
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What is a VPN?

A VPN or Virtual Private Network is a method used to add security and privacy to private and public networks, like Wi-Fi Hotspots and the Internet. VPNs are most often used by corporations to protect sensitive data.

State an advantage of VPN

An advantage of using VPN is enhanced security. When you connect to the network through a VPN, the data is kept secured and encrypted.

What is a TCP/IP model?

Transmission control protocol/internet protocol is the basic communication language or protocol of the internet. It can also be used as a communications protocol in a private network.

What are the 4 layers of the TCP/IP model?

- Application layer
- Transport layer
- Internet layer
- Network access layer

What does the Internet layer do?

Contains the packet construct that will be transmitted.

What is circuit switching?


•Originally data was sent across the internet using the Plain Old Telephone System (POTS).
•This used analogue signals, and these were sent down copper wire.
•Once the circuits were set up, all data packets were sent along the same path.
• At the end of the connection, the circuit was torn down so the circuit could be used again.

What is Packet Switching?


•Packet switching involves the use of routers.
•They make decisions about which way to send a packet to its destination.
•Packets can go down different paths, and are re-assembles at their destination. This means that congested or broken links can be avoided and all paths can be used, allowing maximum efficiency.

What are the four different type of topologies?

Bus, Star, Mesh, Ring

Why were 2.4GHz waves good?

The longer waves can travel further and can go through walls and other solid objects.

What is a problem with 2.4GHz waves?

Wi-Fi is not the only thing that uses it, garage door openers, baby monitors etc. do also, which causes congestion and interference.

What is the top speed of 2.4GHz?

450-600Mbps

What is an alternative to 2.4.GHz?

5GHz

Which 3 channels would you choose for the least amount of interference in 2.4GHz?

1, 6 and 11

What are the 3 different protocols that help to secure wireless networks?

- WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy)
- WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
- WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2)

Which protocol is still in use to secure wireless networks?

WPA2

Why is WEP no longer in use?

It was found to be insecure.

What is WPA/WPA2 used for?

WPA is a security protocol that improved on/replaced WEP. It provided more sophisticated data encryption and also provided user authentication as WEP's user authentication was rendered insufficient.
NOTE: WPA2 is an improved version of WPA

What is a network switch?

A device that connects devices together on a computer network by using packet switching to receive, process and forward data to the destination devices.

What is a Hub?

A common connection point for devices in a network. They are commonly used to connect segments of a LAN. A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to all of the others so that all segments of the LAN can see it.

What is a WAP/ what does it do?

A Wireless Access Point is a networking hardware device that allows a device to connect to a wired network.

What is a Modem?

Short for Modulator-demodulator, it is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over, for example, telephone or cable lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas data transmitted over telephone lines is analogue.

What is a NIC?

A Network Interface Card is a hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network

What is an Ethernet Cable?

An Ethernet cable is the cable that connects devices together within a LAN. For example PCs, routers etc.

Why are Ethernet cables so good?

They are physical cables, so they don't have limitations in the distance they can go whilst still carrying a signal and in durability. There are different types of Ethernet Cables to perform different tasks.

What is a Bridge?

A device used to connect two separate Ethernet networks into one extended Ethernet. Bridges only forward packets between networks that are destined for the other network.

Give 2 reasons why people use a network.

- Communication
- To share files/data
- To share hardware
- To upgrade software packages to multiple machines
- Log on from any machine
- SECURITY   

What is 'the cloud'/cloud computing?

Where files and information are stored on servers all around the world and can be accessed anytime, anyplace as long as you have an internet connection.

What does DNS stand for and what does it do?

Domain Name System converts IP addresses into DOMAIN NAMES(which humans can understand and remember easier). For example 54.239.17.6 to Amazon.com

What does FTP stand for and what does it do?

File Transfer Protocol transfers data across a network.

What does HTTP/HTTPS stand for and what does it do?

Hypertext transfer protocol/ hypertext transfer protocol secured. sends data between your browser and the website you are visiting.

What does SMTP stand for and what does it do? 

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. Allows you to communicate with mail servers.

What is a Bus topology?

Bus networks join all workstations, servers and printers on one cable. Both ends of the cable need a terminator so fitted signals cannot reflect back along the Bus route.

Name an advantage of a Bus topology

It is cheap and easy to install

Name a disadvantage of a Bus topology

The whole network depends on the bus cable, if it breaks down it affects all the workstations.

What is a Star network

All devices on a star network have individual cables to connect them to the switch or hub. (star networks are popular ways of linking 5 or 6 devices that need high speed connections).

Name an advantage of a Star Network

- As all cables are separate it is reliable.
- A cable can break but the rest still works.
- It gives optimum performance without collisions

Name a disadvantage of a Star Network

- Network cable is expensive and star needs a lot.
- Hubs or switches are needed and increase costs which add to the cost.
- If the hub or switch fails, the whole system goes down.

What is a ring network?

All devices in ring networks are connected to two others. Each data packet on the network travels in one direction only. Data packets visit every device until they get to the device they are addressed to where they are received.

Name an advantage of a Ring Network

The one way flow of data avoids collisions and speeds up the flow

Name a disadvantage of a Ring Network

It has only one cable, if it breaks the whole network goes down.

What is a Mesh Network?

The topology in which each device relays data for the network. All mesh devices cooperate in the distribution of data in a network. Mesh networks can relay messages using either a flooding technique or a routing technique.

Name an advantage of a Mesh Network.

- Data can be transmitted from different devices simultaneously. This topology can withstand high traffic.
-
  Even if one of the components fails there is always an alternative present, so data transfer does not get affected.
- Expansion and modification can be done without disrupting other nodes.

Name a disadvantage of a Mesh Network

- There are high chances of redundancy in many of the network connections
- Overall cost of this network is ridiculously high
- Set up and maintenance of this topology is difficult. Even administration of the network is hard.

What was the original wireless band used for communication?

2.4GHz

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo