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Questions and Answers
What is the primary type of cable used in Ethernet networks?
What is the primary type of cable used in Ethernet networks?
Which characteristic differentiates fiber-optic cables from coaxial cables?
Which characteristic differentiates fiber-optic cables from coaxial cables?
How many categories does twisted pair cable have?
How many categories does twisted pair cable have?
What is the format of an IPv4 address?
What is the format of an IPv4 address?
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Which statement about wireless media is true?
Which statement about wireless media is true?
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What is the purpose of the loopback address?
What is the purpose of the loopback address?
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Which of the following addresses serves as the loopback address?
Which of the following addresses serves as the loopback address?
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In the given example, what does 'http://' represent in a URL?
In the given example, what does 'http://' represent in a URL?
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Which part of the URL 'http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/pubweb/~latimer/index.html#events' specifies the filename of the page?
Which part of the URL 'http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/pubweb/~latimer/index.html#events' specifies the filename of the page?
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What does the IP address 134.129.67.85 represent in relation to a URL?
What does the IP address 134.129.67.85 represent in relation to a URL?
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Which factor does NOT influence the choice of network topology?
Which factor does NOT influence the choice of network topology?
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What is a key disadvantage of using a bus topology in a network?
What is a key disadvantage of using a bus topology in a network?
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Which of the following topologies uses a central device for communication?
Which of the following topologies uses a central device for communication?
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What must be done at both ends of a bus topology network?
What must be done at both ends of a bus topology network?
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Which description is NOT true about packets in a network?
Which description is NOT true about packets in a network?
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In network topology, what does 'hybrid' refer to?
In network topology, what does 'hybrid' refer to?
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Which network topology is most likely to experience heavy traffic issues?
Which network topology is most likely to experience heavy traffic issues?
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What is the primary advantage of bus topology?
What is the primary advantage of bus topology?
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What is the primary function of a firewall in a network?
What is the primary function of a firewall in a network?
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Which networking device only allows the intended node to receive transmissions?
Which networking device only allows the intended node to receive transmissions?
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How does a repeater function in a network?
How does a repeater function in a network?
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In network communication, what distinguishes a router from a switch?
In network communication, what distinguishes a router from a switch?
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What characteristic of a hub makes it less secure compared to a switch?
What characteristic of a hub makes it less secure compared to a switch?
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What type of network topology describes how nodes are connected and communicate?
What type of network topology describes how nodes are connected and communicate?
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Which device connects a node to the media in a network?
Which device connects a node to the media in a network?
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Which aspect differentiates a bridge from a router?
Which aspect differentiates a bridge from a router?
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What happens to the connector message when it returns to the original sending station?
What happens to the connector message when it returns to the original sending station?
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Which of the following is a disadvantage of ring topology?
Which of the following is a disadvantage of ring topology?
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What type of network configuration does a hybrid topology represent?
What type of network configuration does a hybrid topology represent?
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Which of the following describes bandwidth in computer networks?
Which of the following describes bandwidth in computer networks?
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Which type of cable is commonly used for twisted pair connections in LANs?
Which type of cable is commonly used for twisted pair connections in LANs?
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What is a key disadvantage of using mesh topology?
What is a key disadvantage of using mesh topology?
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Which of the following is not a type of wireless media used in network transmission?
Which of the following is not a type of wireless media used in network transmission?
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What is a key characteristic of the Switched Star Topology?
What is a key characteristic of the Switched Star Topology?
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Which of the following is an advantage of Star Topology?
Which of the following is an advantage of Star Topology?
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What happens when the central device in a Star Topology fails?
What happens when the central device in a Star Topology fails?
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How is data transmitted in a Ring Topology?
How is data transmitted in a Ring Topology?
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Why is troubleshooting easier in Star Topology than in Bus Topology?
Why is troubleshooting easier in Star Topology than in Bus Topology?
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Which of the following best describes a disadvantage of Star Topology?
Which of the following best describes a disadvantage of Star Topology?
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In Ring Topology, what role does the token play in communication?
In Ring Topology, what role does the token play in communication?
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What structure defines the connection in Star Topology?
What structure defines the connection in Star Topology?
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Study Notes
Computer Networks: Lecture 6
- A computer network is a collection of computers and other devices connected through communication media.
Learning Objectives
- Networks definition and benefits
- Area networks (LANs, MANs, WANs, SANs, VPNs)
- Networks categories (peer-to-peer, client/server)
- Network elements (computers, NICs, connecting media, routers, switches, bridges, hubs, software, protocols)
- Network topologies (bus, star, ring, mesh, hybrid)
Benefits of Computer Networks
- Information sharing: Authorized users can access and share data, including group projects and databases.
- Hardware sharing: One device can be accessed by multiple users.
- Software sharing: A single software program installed on a server is accessible by all users.
Area Networks
- Local Area Networks (LANs): Operate within a limited geographic area. Allow multi-access to high-bandwidth media. Control network access locally. Connect physically adjacent devices. Networking devices include hubs, routers, Ethernet switches, and repeaters.
- Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs): Connects devices over a larger geographical area than LANs but smaller than WANs. Example: a city.
- Wide Area Networks (WANs): Span large geographical areas, even globally. Networking devices used include routers, communication servers, modem CSU/DSU, and TA/NT1.
- Storage-Area Networks (SANs): Dedicated network for storage devices. Used for storing and retrieving data, often for backup and redundancy.
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Connects users/devices to a private network. A VPN can extend a LAN across a public network, such as the internet. This often allows the use of a private network from a foreign location.
Network Categories
- Peer-to-Peer Networks: All computers are equal; they share resources equally. Example: Windows Workgroup.
- Client/Server Networks: Some computers are dedicated servers providing services to other computers (clients). Example: Mail Server, Web Server, File Server.
Networking Devices
- Repeater: Repeats electrical signals.
- Hub: Center of a star network; all nodes receive packets; slow and insecure; half-duplex device.
- Switch: Intelligent device; replacement for hubs; only intended node receives transmission; fast and secure; can operate as full duplex or half duplex.
- Bridge: Connects two or more LANs together. Packets only travel to desired LAN. Segments the network based on MAC addresses
- Router: Connects two or more LANs; packets cross to remote LANs; segmented by IP address; links internal networks to the internet.
- Firewall: Protects a network from unauthorized users/hackers by applying rules to allow or deny traffic. Rules can depend on source/destination networks/IP addresses, protocols, applications etc.
- Network Interface Cards (NICs): Network adapters; connect a node to the network media; have a unique MAC (Machine Access Code).
Network Topologies
- Topology refers to the physical layout of a network. It determines how connected network nodes communicate. (bus, star, ring, mesh, hybrid).
- Bus: All devices connect to a central cable (backbone); ends terminated with terminator.
- Star: Devices connect to a central device (hub or switch).
- Ring: Devices form a closed loop. Communication is one way.
- Mesh: Every device is connected to every other device with its own dedicated cable.
- Hybrid: A combination of different topologies. Example: A star network connected to a bus network.
Network Topologies: Packets
- Network data is broken into small units called packets.
- Packets contain header information (sending/receiving address) and the data payload.
- Packets are assembled and reassembled by receiving/sending nodes.
Network Topologies: Bus Topology
- All devices connect to a single central cable called the bus or backbone. Terminator is at each end
- A faulty cable will take the entire LAN down.
Network Topologies: Star Topology
- Devices connect to a central device like a hub or switch.
- Communication between devices is through the central device.
Network Topologies: Ring Topology
- Devices form a closed loop.
- Data passes from device to device in one direction.
- Used a short message (token) to pass data.
Network Topologies: Mesh Topology
- Each device is connected to every other device by its own cable.
- Boasts the highest fault tolerance.
Network Topologies: Hybrid Topology
- Combination of various topologies.
Network Transmission Media
- Cable Media: Twisted pair cable, Coaxial cable, Fiber Optic cable
- Wireless Media: Infrared, Microwave, Bluetooth
Network Transmission Media: Bandwidth
- Bandwidth refers to the data transfer rate of a network.
- Usually expressed in bits per second (bps).
IP Addresses
- A unique identifier for a device on a TCP/IP network.
- Used for routing messages on TCP/IP networks.
- Formatted as a 32-bit numeric address with four numbers separated by periods (e.g., 1.160.10.240).
IP Address Classes
- Addresses are organized into classes to help in assigning them efficiently on a network.
IPv4 vs. IPv6
- IPv4: 32-bit addresses. Not assigned by geographic regions. There are limited addresses.
- IPv6: 128-bit addresses. Addresses will be assigned by geographic regions. Provides more addresses than IPv4.
Loopback Address
- 127.0.0.0: Network number that cannot be used on a network.
- 127.0.0.1: The loopback address. Used in diagnostic testing of local TCP/IP installation
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
- An address for a webpage.
- Contains the protocol (e.g., http), hostname (e.g., www.ndsu.nodak.edu), path (e.g., /pubweb/~latimer/), filename (e.g., index.html), and possibly an anchor in the page (#events.).
IP & Domain Name Examples
- IP address and URL examples for different sites.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of computer networks in this quiz, covering definitions, benefits, and classifications. Learn about various types of area networks and their components, including network topologies and elements. Enhance your understanding of how devices communicate and share resources in a network.
