Networking

Question 1

what are the two main types of networks

Answer 1

• local area network (LAN)
• wide area network (WAN)

Question 2

explain what a LAN is

Answer 2

network thats confined to relatively small areas such as a building

Question 3

explain what a WAN is

Answer 3

network that spans a large area such as possible several continents

Question 4

explain a star network toplogy

Answer 4

consists of a central computer to which all other devices are attached to

Question 5

give 2 advantages of a star toplogy

Answer 5

• easier to maintain
• access files on all computers
• high speed

Question 6

give 2 disadvantages of a star toplogy

Answer 6

• if main computer breaks then this affects all other devices
• requires more cabling
• limited number of connections

Question 7

explain a bus network topology

Answer 7

single length of transmission cable onto which various devices are attached

Question 8

give 2 advantages of a bus topology

Answer 8

• simple layout - not as much cabling is needed
• easy to extend

Question 9

give 2 disadvantages of a bus topology

Answer 9

• if main cable breaks then entire network is affected
• hard to find where fault is
• less secure
• collisions more likely

Question 10

what does physical topology mean

Answer 10

the actual layout and connection of the cables

Question 11

what does logical topology mean

Answer 11

the way data is transmitted around a network

Question 12

explain what a client server network is

Answer 12

computer uses resources housed inside a central server

Question 13

explain what a thin client is

Answer 13

all processing done on central server

Question 14

explain what a thick client is

Answer 14

powerful pcs connected to a network where all processing is done on the pc

Question 15

explain what a peer to peer network is

Answer 15

two or more computers connect and share resources

Question 16

give 3 advantages of a wireless network

Answer 16

• no cabling required
• can handle large number of users
• user can move around freely

Question 17

give 3 disadvantanges of a wireless network

Answer 17

• slower speeds
• connections become weaker further away u are
• signal can be easily obstructed
• less secure

Question 18

what is an SSID

Answer 18

the way a wireless network can be identified

Question 19

what is a mac address

Answer 19

uniquely identifies a unique device

Question 20

explain CSMA/CA without RTS/CTS in a flow diagram format

Answer 20

CSMA/CA without RT/CTS

Question 21

explain CSMA/CA with RTS/CTS

Answer 21

• assemble a frame
• check if channel is idle
• if not it will wait
• if idle than a request to send is sent
• a clear to send is then sent
• if clear to send is no then wait
• if clear to send is yes then transmit data

Question 22

why is a wireless signal less secure than a wired network

Answer 22

signal is easier to intercept

Question 23

give 3 ways to enhance security of a wireless network

Answer 23

• change SSID and hide it from transmission
• ensure all devices are WPA/WPA2
• create a list of mac addresses from devices you know to be trustworthy

Question 24

explain how encytping data with WPA/WPA2, disabling SSID broadcasting and mac address whitelisting could enhance the security of a wireless network

Answer 24

• WPA = encyrpts data do reduces chance of unwanted devices to be able to read data
• mac address = only trusted devices will be able to join network
• SSID = disabling it means it wont show in a search

Question 25

explain the process the receiving device does when receiving data | majority voting

Answer 25

* the transmitting device would send each bit an odd number of times * the receiver checks the bits and assumes the one it receives the most copies of is the correct value

Question 26

Explain the operation of a logical bus network topology

Answer 26

* node broadcasts data to the entire network * all nodes recieve the data * a node examins the recieved data to check if it the intended recipient

Question 27

explain two reasons why a thin client system might be chosen in preference to a thick client system

Answer 27

* cheaper * simpler to update software

Question 28

A network is cabled in a star but functions as a bus. How is this achieved?

Answer 28

The central hub/switch is set to broadcast every message to all ports, so every device hears the same signal.

Question 29

Give situations/uses for peer-to-peer networking

Answer 29

A small home LAN for sharing media files and printers among 3–4 PCs without the cost or administration of a dedicated server.

Question 30

Give one situation where a client-server network is preferable to P2P

Answer 30

A school network where 200 student laptops authenticate to a central server that stores user profiles, controls access, and runs a print server.

Question 31

Name the two pieces of hardware you must have to build a Wi-Fi LAN

Answer 31

1) A wireless network adapter (in every host). 2) A wireless access point (AP) that bridges those hosts onto the wired LAN.