computing > Network and Protocols > Flashcards

Network and Protocols Flashcards

(53 cards)

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1
Q

What is LAN and what does it stand for?

A

Local Area Network, connects devices together over a small geographical area

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2
Q

What is WAN and what does it stand for?

A

Wide Area Network, connects LANs together through telecommunications over a large geographical area

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3
Q

What are packets?

A

pieces of data that is sent over a network broken down from a larger file

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4
Q

What do packets contain?

A

header and payload:
- header contains information such as destination addresses and error checking data
- payload contains the actual piece of data being sent, such as an image

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5
Q

What is the router?

A

a network hardware device that recieves and directs packets from devices over networks

it also:
- interconnects 2 or more devices within a network
- assigns IP addresses to packets
- contains a routing table - a list of IP address for devices
- allows packets to be exchanged from different network types

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6
Q

What is the switch?

A

a network hardware device that interconnects 2 or more devices within a LAN
it also receives and transmits data using the data’s MAC address

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7
Q

What is the difference between a switch and a router?

A

A switch connects devices within a LAN, whereas a router connects different networks together

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8
Q

What is the NIC (Network Interface Card)?

A

a network hardware device directly in a device that allows it to connect to a network

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9
Q

What is the difference between a MAC address and an IP address?

A

a MAC address is a permanent serial number for a device which is used for LAN communication, whereas an IP address is a dynamic numeric identifier for a device that is assigned by a network and is used in WANs and LANs, and changes depending on what network it’s connected to.

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10
Q

Label the 4 transmission medias across networks

A
  • ethernet
  • fibre optic cable
  • coaxial cable
  • air
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11
Q

What is an ethernet cable?

A

a cable that allows a device to connect to a network. It uses a twisted pair of copper wires

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12
Q

What is a coaxial cable?

A

a cable that connects a device to a network. It uses a single copper wire surrounded by plastic insulation and then a metal mesh

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13
Q

What is a fibre optical cable?

A

a cable that transmits data over networks. It is very high speed and therefore expensive, and is used with WANs or larger LANs

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14
Q

What is Wi-Fi?

A

a wireless networking technology that connects devices over a LAN through the use of radio waves. It has a high bandwidth compared to Bluetooth and usually has a range of 40 - 100 meters

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15
Q

What is Bluetooth?

A

a wireless networking technology that connects devices together. It has a low bandwidth and usually has a range of 10 meters

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16
Q

What is a WAP (Wireless Access Point)?

A

a network hardware device that connects wireless devices to a wired network

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17
Q

What is a hub?

A

a central communication device that connects devices to a network. It is inefficient as packets received are sent to all devices connected to the hub

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18
Q

What is a client-server network?

A

a type of network system that involves devices connected to a central server, in which all files and data are stored. Clients send requests to the server.

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19
Q

What are two benefits to client-server network?

A
  • backing up is much easier, without the need of backing up individual computers
  • stronger security measures are usually put in place on a central server, such as a firewall or antivirus
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20
Q

What are two drawbacks to client-server network?

A
  • additional hardware is needed, which could prove to be costly and difficult to install
  • server is difficult to maintain, with the need of a specialist to potentially repair it, and making sure it’s available 24/7
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21
Q

What is peer-to-peer network?

A

a type of network system that involves devices connected to each other, with all having equal status

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22
Q

What are two benefits to peer-to-peer network?

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A
  • data can easily be transmitted to other devices
  • no additional hardware is needed to be installed, making it more cost effective and easier to install
23
Q

What are two drawbacks to peer-to-peer network?

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A
  • backups need to managed individually on each device
  • data is less secure, with exposing it to additional network security risks such as screen monitoring or social engineering
24
Q

What is bandwidth?

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A

the amount of data being transferred over a network in a given time

25
Label 4 factors that effect network performance
- bandwidth - number of users on the network - type of transmission media used - latency
26
What are the benefits of using a wireless connection of 2.4GHz?
- greater range and coverage - better penetration through walls
27
What are the drawbacks of using a wireless connection of 2.4GHz?
- lower speeds - more interference from other devices as is common frequency
28
What are the benefits of using a wireless connection of 5GHz?
- less crowded frequency which leads to faster speeds - higher data transmission
29
What are the drawbacks of using a wireless connection of 5GHz?
- less able to penetrate walls
30
Label the two wireless encryption standards and state which one is better and why
- WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - WPA is better as WEP is outdated and can be cracked in seconds
31
List the five steps it takes for a user to display a webpage
1. client types URL into browser which is sent over the internet to the DNS 2. DNS searches for IP matching to the URL. If not found, DNS searches for it in a higher server 3. DNS sends matching IP back to client over internet 4. once received, client requests IP address from web server over the internet 5. the web server then sends the website to the client over the internet
32
What happens when an IP isn't found in the DNS?
DNS sends back error message 404
33
What are the benefits to the cloud?
- access files from multiple devices - collaborate with others - increased storage - cheaper (no need for hardware)
34
What are the drawbacks to the cloud?
- needs the internet to access files - increased risk of cyber attacks
35
What is hosting?
placing a website on a webserver to allow users to access it every website has a unique domain name which is registered on the webserver
36
What does the webserver do?
- holds data needed for websites - receives requests from client's web browser whenever they view a web page - displays web page data to user whenever their web browser sends a request
37
Label the 3 application protocols and state what they're used for
- HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol): - used for webpages - HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure): - encrypted webpages - FTP (File Transfer Protocol): - transferring files
38
What is a network protocol?
a set of rules for how devices communicate over a network and how data is transmitted across a network
39
Label the 3 email protocols and state what they're used for
- SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): - sending emails from your device - sending emails between mail servers - POP3 (Post Office Protocol) - accessing emails (however deletes email from mail server) - IMAP (Instant Message Access Protocol) - accessing emails (however keeps email on mail server)
40
What are network topologies?
arrangement of a network's devices connections
41
Label 3 benefits to using a STAR topology
- requires fewer cables - easier to remove/add devices - simple to understand and troubleshoot
42
Label 2 drawbacks to using a star topology
- if central switch fails, entire network fails - causes a performance bottleneck in a busy network
43
Label 3 benefits to using a mesh topology
- allows packets to be routed around bottlenecks - more reliable as a single failure won't fail rest of network - packets can take more direct routes leading to faster communication
44
Label 2 drawbacks to using a mesh topology
- requires more cabling - more complicated to add/remove devices
45
What is a standard?
rules and specifications that allow devices from different manufacturers to communicate to each other
46
Give 2 examples of standards
TCP, Wi-fi, HTTPS
47
What is TCP?
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a network communication protocol that: - splits data into packets - gives each packet a sequence number - reorganises packets to be in order - sends an error if packet is missing
48
What is IP?
IP (Internet Protocol) is a network protocol that: - assigns each packet a sender IP address and a receiver IP address - forwards packets towards the correct location
49
What are layers?
sets of protocols with similar functions that organise and direct data being sent across networks
50
Label 2 benefits to layers
- layers are self contained, so if one layer is changed it won't effect the functionality of other layers - different hardware and software each operates on a particular layer providing communication between different providers and systems
51
What are the characteristics of IPv4?
- contains 4 denary numbers - numbers range from 0-255 - numbers are separated by a full stop
52
What are the characteristics of IPv6?
- contains 4 hexadecimal numbers - numbers are each 4 digits - numbers are separated by a colon - 128 bits
53
What are the characteristics of MAC addresses?
- contains 6 hexadecimal numbers - numbers are each 2 digits - numbers are separated by a dashes - 48 bits
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