Network Basics Quiz

Questions and Answers

What type of modem connects to an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Cable modem or DSL modem (correct)

Core Internet backbone router

Enterprise-level router

Client modem

What is the primary function of an enterprise-level router?

To connect devices using WiFi

To connect an ISP to the core Internet backbone routers (correct)

To store messages on a server

To process requests to send/retrieve messages

What is the main purpose of the Client/Server Model?

To span across many differently located networks (correct)

To separate tasks between routers and devices

To connect hosts to the Internet

To protect data from getting lost or corrupted

What is the primary function of a Network Interface Controller?

To connect a computer to the network media via cables or wireless transmission Signup and view all the answers

What is a client in the context of the Client/Server Model?

A piece of hardware or software that accesses a service on a server Signup and view all the answers

What is a host in the context of the Client/Server Model?

A computer or device that can take on both server and client roles Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a Router and a Repeater?

A Router forwards packets of data, while a Repeater amplifies the signal Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a server in the Client/Server Model?

To provide functional services to clients Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an IP address?

To provide a unique address for a device on the internet Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a Modem?

To modulate digital network traffic to create wireless signals Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to distinguish between a client and a host?

Because they are easily mistaken for each other Signup and view all the answers

What is true about clients in the Client/Server Model?

They do not share their resources with servers Signup and view all the answers

What is the Internet?

A network of networks, where host computers/devices are connected Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a client in the context of email?

A Gmail client that accesses messages on a server Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a Router in a home network?

To transmit data between different networks Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of the Client/Server Model?

It enables the separation of tasks between providers and requesters of a service Signup and view all the answers

What is a Host in the context of computer networks?

A computer or device connected to a network on the Internet Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of finding a path from sender to receiver called?

Routing Signup and view all the answers

What is a Network Node?

A physical product necessary for a network to function Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between an IP address and a domain name?

An IP address is a numerical address, while a domain name is a textual address Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Network Basics

Network nodes are the building blocks of networks, and can vary in type and quantity of tasks they can perform.
Examples of network nodes include:
- Network Interface Controllers (NICs): hardware that connects computers to network media via cables (e.g. Ethernet) or wireless transmission.
- Repeaters: hardware that receives network signals, clears out unnecessary noise, and resends the signal to make it more efficient.
- Routers: devices that forward packets of data between networks by processing the address.
- Modems: hardware that modulates digital network traffic to create wireless signals.

Basic Architecture

A host is a computer or device connected to a network on the Internet.
Examples of hosts include computers, printers, and smartphones.
Each host has a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address, which is similar to a country's mail or postal system.
IP addresses allow data to be sent to specific computers/devices, just like a house has its own street address.
Hosts connect to the Internet through routers, which transmit data between networks within the Internet.

Routers

Routers transmit data between different networks.
Routing is the process of finding a path from sender to receiver.
Home routers connect local devices to a cable modem, which provides the Internet connection.
Cable modems or DSL modems connect to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), which connects to the core Internet backbone routers.
Routers can use Ethernet or WiFi to connect to devices.

The Client/Server Model

The Client/Server Model separates tasks/workloads between providers of a service (servers) and those requesting a service (clients).
Servers store and process data, while clients access and request services from servers.
Examples of clients include software on a host that accesses a service on a server, such as Gmail.
A host can take on both server and client roles, and a server shares its resources with clients, but clients do not share their resources.