10 Questions
What is the primary function of a network interface card (NIC)?
To connect a device to a local area network (LAN) either wirelessly or through a wired connection
What is the term used to describe the creation of a wireless local area network (WLAN)?
Wireless Fidelity
What is the primary function of a router in a home network?
To direct data around the network to the appropriate location
What type of IP address is usually created by the user themselves in the settings of the router?
Static IP address
What is the term used to describe the collection of devices connected to a router via the internet?
Internet
What is the primary function of a DHCP service in a network?
To assign an IP address to devices and recycle it when disconnected
What is the main difference between a hub and a switch in a network?
A hub transmits signals to all devices, while a switch only transmits to the intended device
What is the purpose of a MAC address in a network?
To identify devices on a network and enable them to connect
What happens to an IP address when a device is removed or unplugged from a network?
The IP address is recycled to a replacement device
What is the main advantage of using a switch over a hub in a network?
A switch can forward packets of data to the intended node only, increasing the efficiency of the network
Study Notes
Network Interface Card (NIC)
- A NIC is required for a device to connect to a network, either wirelessly or through an Ethernet cable
- Most NICs have wireless capability and can connect to a network without cables
Local Area Network (LAN)
- A LAN is a small network that connects devices in a limited geographical area
- Devices on a LAN are connected using a wired or wireless connection
Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
- Wi-Fi enables the creation of a WLAN
- A WLAN connects devices wirelessly using a wireless access point (WAP)
Router
- A router connects devices to the internet via a modem and ISP
- A router directs data around the network to the appropriate location (node)
- A router stores node addresses in its internal memory and finds the most efficient route to send packets of data
- A router also issues Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to devices on a network
- IP addresses can be static or dynamic, with dynamic addresses being the more common type
Internet Protocol (IP) Addresses
- Static IP addresses are rarely used as they can cause problems on a network if set incorrectly
- Dynamic IP addresses are issued by routers using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
- DHCP enables a router to assign an IP address to any new device connected to a network
- Dynamic IP addresses ensure that there is no duplication of addresses on a network and enable all devices to share the internet connection
Network Hub
- A network hub enables wired devices to connect to each other in a LAN
- A hub transmits signals to all devices on a network, but can create slow networks as some signals may be unnecessary
- A hub is connected to a router, and devices are connected to the hub using cables
Media Access Control (MAC) Address
- Every device connected to a network has a unique MAC address provided by the manufacturer
- A switch records a device's MAC address when it connects to the network for the first time
- The MAC address is recognized when the device connects to the switch again, allowing the device to be identified by the network
Learn about Network Interface Cards (NICs) and their role in connecting devices to a network, either wirelessly or through a wired connection.
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