Network Roles and Standards Quiz 18

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of a switch in a network?

To amplify signals for long-distance transmission.

To connect devices without processing the data.

To intelligently direct frames based on memorized MAC addresses. (correct)

To provide redundancy in case of hardware failure.

Which UTP cabling category supports a maximum bandwidth of 1 Gbps?

Cat 5e (correct)

Cat 7

Cat 3

Cat 6a

How does a failure of a switch impact network functionality?

It will reroute traffic through other switches.

It will only affect the devices connected directly to that switch.

It has no impact as devices can still communicate directly.

It will disrupt the entire network. (correct)

What is a disadvantage of splitting Ethernet segments using splitters?

It degrades signal quality and causes connectivity issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct purpose of the shielding in Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables?

To protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI). Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum length limit for Ethernet segments typically?

100 meters Signup and view all the answers

Which category of UTP cabling supports data transmission speeds of up to 10 Gbps?

Cat 6a Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'segment' refer to in networking?

The connection between a computer and a switch. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction between a local host and a remote host in a network?

A local host is the device you are currently using. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about MAC address modification is correct?

Some NICs allow modification of their embedded MAC addresses. Signup and view all the answers

Which Ethernet standard operates at 10 Gbps?

10GBASE-T Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of switches in an Ethernet network?

To connect multiple network devices and manage data traffic. Signup and view all the answers

In Ethernet networking, which cabling standard is primarily used today?

10GBASE-T Signup and view all the answers

What describes the star bus topology in Ethernet networks?

Each host connects to a central device via cables in a star pattern. Signup and view all the answers

What role does a web server play in networked host functionality?

It provides access to web content for remote devices. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between UTP cabling and Ethernet standards?

Ethernet standards commonly use UTP cabling for connectivity across various speeds. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of fiber optic cables in networking?

They utilize light signals for high-speed data transmission. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of traditional UTP cabling compared to fiber optic technology?

UTP is less immune to electrical interference. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fiber optic connection requires two separate strands for bidirectional communication?

Duplex mode fiber. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Ethernet standards, what does 'SC' refer to?

A type of fiber optic connector. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes multimode fiber from single-mode fiber?

Single-mode fiber is designed for long distance communication. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of coaxial cable helps to eliminate outside interference?

The braided shield covering the insulation. Signup and view all the answers

How far can fiber optic signals typically travel without significant loss?

2000 meters or more. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of switches in a networking context?

To process and manage the flow of data packets. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Host and Network Roles

A host is any device connected to a network
Local host is the device currently in use
Remote host is any other device on the network
Networked hosts have specific roles, like web servers (store website files) or clients (request and receive data)

Hexadecimal Representation

Hexadecimal is a shorthand for binary numbers
Provides a conversion key from binary to hexadecimal

MAC Address Customization

Some Network Interface Cards (NICs) allow customization of the embedded MAC address
MAC addresses are usually pre-assigned and unique

Ethernet Standards

Modern Ethernet networks primarily use 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T
Earlier standards include 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX
These standards use a star bus topology with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling

Ethernet Topologies

Star Bus Topology: Each host connects to a central device (switch) via cables
Topology refers to the physical or logical layout of the network
This is a hybrid topology, using a star pattern for cabling and a bus pattern for internal wiring

Function of Switches

Switches are the central connection point for network devices
They have varying numbers of ports, ranging from a few for consumer devices (4-8 ports) to multiple (32 or more ports) for business-level models
Switches direct frames based on memorized MAC addresses, unlike hubs which indiscriminately repeat signals
They provide dedicated bandwidth per connection

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cabling

Standard for Ethernet networks, including 100/1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T
Composed of AWG 22-26 gauge copper wires twisted in color-coded pairs, encased within an insulated jacket
Favored for its cost-effectiveness and compatibility

UTP Categories

Categories define bandwidth capabilities, based on standards from the Telecommunication Industry Association (TIA)
Common categories include Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a
Cables should be marked with their category levels for easy identification

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cabling

Consists of twisted pairs of wires enclosed in a shielding layer (protection against EMI)
Useful in environments with high electronic noise
Composition: Contains additional shielding for protection against EMI
Direct Burial: Certain types are rated for direct burial due to thicker jackets and waterproofing
Flexibility and Cost: Shielding makes STP less flexible and more expensive than UTP
Usage: Beneficial in high-EMI environments for data transmission, but less common in 1000BASE-T networks due to lower need

Fiber Optic

High-speed data transmission medium using light to carry information
Used in telecommunications and networking
Immune to electrical problems (lightning, short circuits) and static
Long distances (greater than 2000 meters) for transmission
Common types of connectors include SC, LC, and ST

Light Types Fiber Optic

Regular Light (LED): uses multimode fiber, short distances, light enters at multiple angles
Laser Light: uses single-mode fiber, longer distances, light travels in straight line

Fiber Optic and Cable Standards

10GBASE-SR: Short-range, high-speed transmission over multimode fiber
100GBASE-LR1: Long-range, high-speed connections over single-mode fiber
RJ-45 connectors are common

Coaxial Cable

Older Ethernet standard
Consists of a central core surrounded by insulation, a shield of braided cable, then another insulating cover
RG-6 is a common type suitable for longer runs
RG-59 is a more susceptible to signal loss, suitable for shorter runs

Local Area Networks (LANs)

Connects devices within a limited geographic area (office, home, campus)
Used to share resources (files, printers, internet connections)
Key features include geographic scope (small area), high speed (multi-Gbps rates), resource sharing, and various topologies (e.g., star, bus, ring, mesh)

Components of LAN

Network Interface Cards (NICs) for device connectivity
Switches for efficient data management within the network
Routers to connect LAN to the Internet or other LANs
Access points for wireless connectivity
Wired/wireless cabling options

Horizontal Cabling

Cables connecting work areas to the telecom room
Uses standards like ANSI/TIA for reliability and manageability

Telecommunications Room

Central hub for a star network
Organization is crucial for proper management and future changes

Network Interface Cards (NICs)

Hardware component allowing a device to connect to a network
Types include wired NIC (Ethernet), wireless NIC (Wi-Fi)
Vary in form factors (PCI/PCIe or USB)

Equipment Racks

Organize network hardware in telecommunications rooms
19-inch standard width, various heights
Allow for flexibility based on space and needs

Patch Panels

Organize and manage cables within a structured cabling system
Simplify connections, enhance organization and identification
Enable modularity, reduce clutter, and ease of troubleshooting
Types include Ethernet and Fiber Optic

Punchdown Blocks

Used to terminate and organize network cables
Connections are made by punching down wires into the block
Essential for maintaining high-quality connections in structured cabling

Patch Cables

Short, flexible cables
Use stranded UTP cable for flexibility and durability
Constructed using crimped RJ45 connectors and typically various colors for quick cable identification

Work Area

Simple part of a structured cabling system
Termination point for horizontal network cables
Wall outlet, with female jacks to accept the cable

Broadcasting and Routing

Broadcasting, within a single LAN or broadcast domain
Routing, for directing data packets between LANs within a WAN
Routing requires a protocol

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Description

Test your knowledge on the various roles of hosts in a network, the representation of data in hexadecimal, and the standards of Ethernet technology. This quiz covers topics such as MAC address customization and different Ethernet topologies used in modern networking.