Network Concepts Chapter 7 Flashcards

Network Types

• PAN (Personal Area Network): Connects personal devices like smartphones and laptops within close range using wired (USB, Lightning) or wireless (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) connections.
• LAN (Local Area Network): Covers small areas (homes, offices); utilizes wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi) tech, enabling resource sharing among workstations and devices.
• WMN (Wireless Mesh Network): Consists of numerous wireless devices directly communicating, enhancing connection range; commonly used in IoT applications (e.g., smart home devices).
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Spans multiple buildings or city portions; often arises from cooperative efforts, using both wired and wireless technologies.
• WAN (Wide Area Network): Encompasses vast geographic areas comprising multiple smaller networks; the most recognized example is the Internet.

Internet Connectivity

• Internet Service Provider (ISP): Essential for Internet access, providing connections like DSL and cable; upload speeds typically slower than download speeds.
• Bandwidth: Represents the theoretical data transmission capacity over a network; distinct from actual data throughput, which is the average speed achieved.
• Cable Internet: A broadband solution utilizing existing cable TV infrastructure, maintaining simultaneous TV and Internet connections through a coaxial cable.
• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): Delivers broadband over copper phone lines, enabling voice and DSL usage concurrently without disruption.
• Dedicated Line Using Fiber Optic: Provides a private, shared broadband connection from an ISP to home or business, supporting various services over fiber-optic cable.
• Satellite Internet: Uses satellite dishes for high-speed connections in remote areas; suffers from latency and requires line-of-sight for optimal performance.
• Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN): Based on cellular towers for broadband communication accessible via mobile devices, offered by carriers like Verizon.

Network Addresses and Protocols

• IP Address: A unique identifier for each device on a network, formatted either as a 32-bit (IPv4) or 128-bit (IPv6) string.
• TCP/IP: A suite of protocols governing network communication and IP addressing.
• Host: Any device that requests or provides services on a network; requires TCP/IP details to communicate.
• DNS (Domain Name System): Translates website names into IP addresses, utilizing a database for name resolution.
• DHCP client: A device requesting IP address information from a DHCP server; enables dynamic address assignment.

Network Hardware and Features

• Network Interface Card (NIC): Enables network communication for devices.
• Router: Manages traffic between networks, determining the best routes for data transfer.
• Default Gateway: Acts as a routing point for data going to external networks or the Internet.
• MAC Address: A device's unique identifier used for local network identification; usually displayed on the device.
• Wake on LAN: Allows network adapters to wake devices remotely upon receiving specific network signals.

Security and Management

• Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritizes specific traffic types on a network, ensuring optimal performance for important applications.
• Address Reservation: A method where the DHCP server assigns consistent IP addresses to devices, providing predictability and management ease.
• MAC Address Filtering: Limits network access to specified devices but is easily circumvented, making it a weak security method.
• Port Forwarding: Enables specific traffic from the Internet to access designated computers/ports within a local network.
• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access): A more secure encryption method for wireless networks, utilizing dynamic keys; however, TKIP is outdated and no longer deemed secure.

Additional Concepts

• Full Duplex: Allows simultaneous two-way data transmission between devices.
• Half Duplex: Permits one-directional transmission at any given moment.
• Universal Plug and Play (UPnP): Facilitates automatic discovery and communication between devices on a local network, though it poses security risks due to reduced barriers.

Test your understanding of key network concepts with these flashcards from Chapter 7. Focus on terms like PAN and LAN, exploring their definitions and applications in local networking. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their knowledge on personal and local area networks.