Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of dividing data into small packets in computer networks?
Which type of network is designed to connect computers within a small geographic location?
Token Ring Protocol is still widely used in computer networks today.
False
Ethernet Protocol has been refined to be able to send data at a rate of __________ per second.
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Match the network topology with its description:
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What happens to messages or data when sent from one computer to another via the Internet?
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What is the primary advantage of packet switched networks?
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What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?
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What is the primary disadvantage of Token Ring Protocol?
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What is the primary advantage of Ethernet Protocol?
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What is the primary characteristic of WiFi Protocol?
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What is the primary difference between a Bus and a Star topology?
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Study Notes
Packets of Data
- Messages or data are broken down into fixed-sized packets of data and metadata (e.g., P1, P2, P3) before being sent over the Internet.
- Each packet is sent to its destination independently, which may cause them to take different paths.
- Packets are re-assembled at the destination to form the original message or data, which may arrive in the correct order, out of order, or not at all.
Why Send Packets of Data?
- The original motivation for sending packets of data was to create a network that could withstand a nuclear attack by decentralizing and having multiple paths between two computers.
- Dividing data into small packets prevented the entire data set from being intercepted before reaching its destination.
- Each router along the path forwards the packets to another router until it reaches the final destination.
Network Scope and Scale
- Local Area Network (LAN) connects computers within a small geographic location, such as a school or home.
- Wide Area Network (WAN) connects computers across a broad geographic region, such as a telephone network.
Network Topology
- The layout or topology of a network can affect its output and reliability.
- Token Ring is a wired LAN that connects workstations in a ring, where a signal called a "Token" is sent to a computer, authorizing it to send data.
- Ethernet Protocol is a more efficient wired LAN that allows computers to send data at a rate of a gigabit per second.
- Ethernet Cables are used to connect workstations, preventing data from colliding, and are backward compatible with old and new technologies.
- WiFi Protocol is a wireless LAN that uses radio waves to connect computer workstations and devices, also known as a star topology.
Network Topology (continued)
- WiFi Protocol has become the most commonly used WAN, but WAN stands for "Wide Area Network", not "Wireless Area Network".
- The "L" in LAN and "W" in WAN represent the physical distance between computers/devices on a network, not the method of connection.
- Modern networks often combine Ethernet and WiFi connections, depending on individual needs.
Bus vs. Star Topology
- Bus topology uses a single cable to connect all peripheral devices, but if one computer stops working, the entire network stops.
- Star topology uses a central hub, making it more difficult to create, but more reliable, and works well with large numbers of computers.
Packets of Data
- When messages are sent from one computer to another via the Internet, they are broken down into fixed-sized packets of data and metadata.
- Each packet is sent to its destination independently via the Internet and may take different paths.
- Packets are re-assembled at the destination to form the original message or data.
Why Send Packets of Data?
- In the 1960s, the driving motivation was to create a network that could withstand a nuclear attack by decentralizing and having multiple paths between computers.
- Dividing data into small packets prevents the entire data set from being intercepted before reaching its destination.
Network Scope and Scale
- Local Area Network (LAN) connects computers within a small geographic location, such as a school or home.
- Wide Area Network (WAN) connects computers across a broad geographic region, such as a telephone network.
Network Topology
- Token Ring Protocol is a wired LAN that connects workstations in a ring shape, with a signal called a "Token" authorizing computers to send data.
- Token Ring is inefficient due to waiting for tokens, slowing down communication.
- Ethernet Protocol is a more efficient wired LAN that allows data to be sent at a rate of a gigabit per second.
- Ethernet Protocol uses a bus topology, with computers connected through a single cable.
- WiFi Protocol is a wireless LAN (WLAN) that uses radio waves to connect computer workstations and devices, with a star topology.
- WiFi Protocol is also commonly used in WANs.
Bus vs. Star Topology
- Bus topology: single cable connects all peripheral devices, simple to create, uses less cable length, and is more economical.
- Bus topology: if one computer in the network stops working, the entire network stops working.
- Star topology: utilizes a central hub, more difficult to create, uses more cable length, and is more expensive.
- Star topology: if one computer in the network is damaged, the network continues to function.
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Description
Learn about how data is sent over the internet, broken down into packets with metadata, and understand network topology and links.
