Network Devices and Topologies Quiz

Network Devices and Topologies

• Nodes/Hosts: Devices communicating on a network
• Network Interface: Converts digital data to signals for transmission
• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network: Hosts share resources, simple to implement, but difficult to manage and secure as network size increases
• Client-Server Network: Servers provide resources, clients consume, scalable, centralized easier to manage and secure compared to P2P
• LAN (Local Area Network): Network within a building or organization
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Network connecting devices across a city
• WAN (Wide Area Network): Network connecting multiple smaller networks

Network Types

• Network: Connected devices under one organization's control
• Internetwork: Two separate networks connected, not under one organization
• Internet: Collection of interconnected networks under many organizations
• Intranet: Private, internal version of the Internet.
• Extranet: Partially accessible to entities outside the organization

Network Topologies

• Physical Topology: Layout of network connections
• Logical Topology: How devices communicate
• Bus Topology: Single connection link
• Ring Topology: Devices connected in a ring
• Mesh Topology: Every device connected to every other device
• Star Topology: Devices connected to a central device
• Partial Mesh Topology: Some devices connected to all devices, some to only a few devices

Data Link Layer

• Logical Link Control (LLC) Sublayer: Layer 2 of OSI, manages interface between upper and lower layers
• Protocol Data Units (PDUs): Units of data at different layers (Bits, Frames, Packets, Segments)

Network Protocols and Services

• Authorization and Authentication: Layer 5 Session layer protocol
• WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network): Uses radio waves
• SAN (Storage Area Network): High-speed network for storage access (block-level)
• NAS (Network Attached Storage): File-level storage, acts as a server
• SD-WAN (Software Defined WAN): Software manages a WAN
• MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching): Assigns labels for efficient routing
• ARP (Address Resolution Protocol): Maps IP addresses to MAC addresses
• TCP Handshake: (SYN, SYN-ACK, FIN) process for establishing connections
• ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol): Checks network reachability (Ping)
• IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol): Allows single packets to reach multiple hosts

Cabling

• Solid Wire: Better signal conduction but less flexible
• Stranded Wire: More flexible but less reliable
• UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair): Inexpensive, common cable for Ethernet, telephone. (CAT 5-8 vary in speed and length limitations)
• Coaxial Cable: Resistance to interference, good for cable TV, and ethernet in some cases
• Fiber Optic Cable: Uses light to transmit data, high speed, low signal loss, but high cost single-mode better for distances more than 100km +

Wireless Standards

• 802.11g, a, b, n, ac, ax: Varying speeds and frequencies for wireless

Cable Connectors

• BNC: Bayonet mount for coaxial cable
• F-Type: For cable TV and satellite TV
• RJ-45: For twisted-pair networks (Ethernet)
• Fiber Optic Connectors: LC, ST, SC, MT-RJ

Network Addressing and Configuration

• Private IP Addressing (RFC 1918): Addresses for use on private networks (10.x.x.x, 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255)
• Link-local: Communication within the network
• IPv6 transition to IPv4: Methods like 6to4, Teredo
• IPv4 transition to IPv6: Methods like 4to6
• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): Automatically assigns IP addresses

DHCP Servers and Agents

• DHCP Scope: Defines IP configuration parameters
• DHCP Relay Agent: Forwards DHCP requests when the server isn't on the local network
• DHCP Helper: Forwards DHCP broadcasts to the DHCP Server

Other Network Devices and Concepts

• Transceiver: Device allowing link between interfaces

Wiring Standards

• T568A/T568B: Wiring standards for twisted-pair cables.
• Punchdown Block: Organizes wiring
• Patch Panel: Connects wires to patch cords
• Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC): Connects network devices to fiber optics
• SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable): Smaller, hot-swappable interface than GBIC
• QSFP (Quad SFP): Higher data rate interface