Networking Basics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the typical range of a Fixed WiMAX hotzone?

5 to 10 miles

2 to 6 miles (correct)

1 to 3 miles

10 to 15 miles

Which generation of cellular standards uses packet switching and offers typical speeds between 1 and 4 Mbps?

3G (correct)

Which Bluetooth version is known for being energy efficient?

Bluetooth 2.0

Bluetooth 1.0

Bluetooth 4.0 (correct)

Bluetooth 3.0

How many devices can form a piconet when connected via Bluetooth?

8 devices Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a modem in networking hardware?

Enable communication over analog media Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Mobile WiMAX (802.16e)?

It is a mobile version of the standard. Signup and view all the answers

Which cellular standard is recognized for typical speeds between 3 to 15 Mbps?

4G Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for a network adapter when it is used as an expansion card?

Network Interface Card (NIC) Signup and view all the answers

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

To connect devices but only send data to the intended recipient Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a router?

It connects multiple networks and can optimize data paths. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a wireless router from a standard router?

A wireless router integrates a built-in wireless access point and switch. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a bridge in networking?

To connect two LANs, often wirelessly. Signup and view all the answers

Which device is utilized to strengthen wireless signals in a network?

Repeater Signup and view all the answers

What describes the characteristics of an external antenna?

It strengthens signals and can be directional or omnidirectional. Signup and view all the answers

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

To combine and send multiple transmissions as one message. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes a wireless access point?

It allows wireless devices to join a network. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a Personal Area Network (PAN)?

To connect an individual's personal devices located close together Signup and view all the answers

Which network type covers a larger area than a Local Area Network (LAN) but is smaller than a Wide Area Network (WAN)?

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an extranet from an intranet?

An extranet allows access to authorized outsiders while an intranet is private for employees. Signup and view all the answers

How is bandwidth defined in the context of data transmission?

The amount of data that can be transferred in a given period of time. Signup and view all the answers

Which transmission type sends data one bit at a time along a single path?

Serial transmission Signup and view all the answers

What technology is used by a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure data transmission?

Tunneling and encryption technology Signup and view all the answers

Which method of data transmission typically utilizes multiple paths within computer components?

Parallel transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of digital signals?

Used for conventional telephones Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Computing - Chapter 7: Networks and Communication Devices

This chapter covers networking concepts and terminology, what computer networks are and their uses, common networking and communication applications, technical issues related to networks (including data transmission characteristics, transmission media types), explanations of communication protocols and networking standards, and various hardware types for computer networks.

What is a Network?

A network is a connected system of objects or people.
A computer network is a collection of computers and other hardware devices connected together.
Users can share hardware, software, data, and communicate electronically.
Networks range from small private networks to the internet.
Networks are essential for most businesses.

Uses for Computer Networks

Sharing an internet connection among users.
Sharing application software, printers, and other resources.
Facilitating VoIP, email, videoconferencing, messaging, and other communication applications.
Collaborative work; sharing company databases, or using collaboration tools.
Exchanging files among users.
Connecting computers, TVs, game consoles, and other devices in homes.

Wireless Power

Powers/recharges devices using wireless signals and magnetic induction.
Two key standards are Qi and PMA.
Requires charging surfaces.
Charging surfaces may be built into walls, homes, cars, and other structures.

Networking Applications

The internet is the world's largest computer network.
Telephone service:
- POTS Network was one early network providing telephone service to landlines.
- Still in use today.
Mobile Phones:
- Use wireless networks for communications, such as cell phones.
- Function by being in cell tower range.
- Dual-mode phones use multiple communication networks (cellular and Wi-Fi).
- Satellite phones, often used for communication in remote areas, such as by soldiers, journalists, wilderness guides and researchers.

Broadcasting and GPS Applications

Television and radio broadcasting use the airwaves.
Systems also include cable TV, satellite TV, and closed-circuit television systems (CCTV).
GPS uses 24 satellites for location and navigation purposes.
GPS receivers use the GPS system to find their location.
GPS III is under development and promises more power and accuracy compared to current systems.

GPS Applications

Individuals use GPS for navigation, mapping, directions, and other location-based information.
Workers use it for location-based information, vehicles, equipment, and emergency situations.
Military use it to guide munitions and track military assets.

Monitoring Systems

Monitoring systems use networking technology to determine the location or status of objects.
RFID-based systems monitor object status.
GPS-based systems monitor physical location of objects (including vehicle and child monitoring systems).
Electronic medical monitors aid in home healthcare.
Sensor systems monitor various things including shipping and home automation.

Multimedia Networking

Multimedia networking distributes digital multimedia content, typically through a home network.
Includes smart TVs, streaming media players, and other devices.
Placeshifting devices allow individuals to view multimedia content from a convenient location, like using a Slingbox.

Videoconferencing, Collaborative Computing and Telecommuting

Videoconferencing uses technology (computers, video cameras, microphones) to host face-to-face meetings over a network.
Telepresence is a videoconferencing method that mimics real-time meeting environments.
Collaborative computing (workgroup computing) enables individuals to work together on documents and projects using tools or software.
Telecommuting (commonly done from home) enables people to work remotely, communicating with their place of business and clients.
This method allows for greater employee flexibility and potentially leads to greener computing practices.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine leverages networking technology to provide medical information and services, including remote monitoring and consultations, diagnoses, and care to individuals in rural or otherwise remote locations.
Necessary for long-term space exploration due to potential distance between the doctor and patient.
Telesurgery involves robot-assisted surgery when the doctor is in a different location.

Network Characteristics

Wired Networks: Devices connect to networks using cables. Common in schools, businesses, and government facilities.
Wireless Networks: Devices connect using wireless signals through the airwaves. Common in homes, schools, and businesses.
Public Wireless Hotspots provide wireless internet access to the public.

Network Topologies

Star network: All devices connect to a central device. If the central device fails, the network usually becomes non-functional.
Bus network: All devices connect to a central cable.
Mesh network: Devices are interconnected so that messages can travel various paths.

Client-Server Networks

Client: A computer or other device requesting and utilizing network resources.
Server: A dedicated computer that processes client requests.
Client computers communicate with one or more servers using the network.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Networks

All computers function at the same level.
Users have direct access to the attached computers and devices.
Internet P2P networks involve content exchange directly between users over the internet.

Network Size and Coverage Area

Personal Area Networks (PANs): Connect personal devices close together.
Local Area Networks (LANs): Connect devices in a small geographic area.
Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs): Cover a city or county.
Wide Area Networks (WANs): Cover large geographic areas. The Internet is the example of a WAN.

Intranets, Extranets, and VPNs

Intranets: Private networks for organization employees, functioning similarly to the internet.
Extranets: Company networks usable by authorized outsiders, like suppliers or partners.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Private and secure paths over the internet providing access to private networks for authorized users.

Data Transmission Characteristics

Bandwidth: The amount of data transferred in a given time. Measured in bits per second (bps).
Analog Signals: Data represented by continuous waves (like in conventional telephone systems).
Digital Signals: Data represented by two discrete states (0s and 1s).

Transmission Type and Timing

Serial Transmission: Data sent one bit at a time along one path.
Parallel Transmission: Data sent in groups of bits along different paths.
Synchronous Transmission: Data transferred in regular, specified intervals.
Asynchronous Transmission: Data sent when ready, using start and stop bits.
Isochronous Transmission: Data sent on time, to reach its destination on time, for example, streaming audio or video.

Transmitted Data Direction

Simplex Transmission: Data travels in one direction only (relatively uncommon).
Half-Duplex Transmission: Data can travel in both directions, but only one way at a time.
Full-Duplex Transmission: Data can travel in both directions simultaneously.

Delivery Methods

Circuit Switching: A dedicated path over a network is established between sender and receiver; all data follows that path.
Packet Switching: Messages separated into small units called packets and travel separately along the network; packets are reassembled at the destination.
Broadcasting: Data sent to all nodes on the network and retrieved only by the intended recipient (primarily used with LANs).

Wired Networking Media

Twisted-pair cable: Pairs of insulated wires, used for phone and LAN connections.
Coaxial cable: Thick center wire with insulation, used for networks and cable TV.
Fiber-optic cable: Thin glass or plastic fibers for high-speed communication using light beams.

Wireless Networking Media

Wireless networking uses radio signals through the airwaves (electromagnetic spectrum).
Radio frequencies assigned by the FCC.
Wireless spectrum is the RF band (up to 300 GHz).
Wireless networks frequently use 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Range of electromagnetic radiation (energy).
Specific frequencies assigned for different types of communication.

Cellular Radio Transmissions

Cellular communication uses cellular towers within overlapping honeycomb-shaped zones (cells).
Calls transferred from tower to tower as the user moves.
Data transmission occurs in a similar manner to calls.
Transmission speeds vary based on the cell standard.

How Cellular Phones Work

Calls transmitted by radio waves to the cell tower.
Cell towers transmit to the switching office.
The switching office routes to the recipient.

Microwave and Satellite Transmissions

Microwave Transmission: Uses high-frequency radio signals sent and received using microwave stations (often on tall buildings or mountaintops); signal travels in a line of sight.
Microwave stations: transmit signals directly to each other within a 30-mile range.
Satellite Communication: Earth-based stations relay signals with communications satellites in orbit.

Communication Satellites

Satellites in geosynchronous orbit are used for communications; considerable delay is part of this process.
Low earth orbit (LEO) satellites have less delay, but are used less for wide-ranging communication (like television and internet).
Medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites are commonly used in GPS systems.

Example of How Satellite Internet Works

Data sent from a user's computer to a satellite dish.
Satellite receives the request and sends to the center.
Processing at the center, forwarding the data to the internet.
Data returns through the network.

Infrared (IR) Transmissions

Infrared (IR) transmissions send data as infrared light rays.
Requires a line of sight.
Formerly used with some devices (like mice and keyboards) but now less common.
IR sometimes used for close-range data transmission between devices, for example, game consoles, and handheld gaming devices.

Comm Protocols and Networking Standards

Protocols: A set of rules for a particular situation, for example, electronic communication.
Communication protocols: define how devices communicate on a network.
Standards: A set of criteria or requirements approved by a recognised organisation.
Standards define how networked computers connect and communicate.

TCP/IP

TCP/IP: The most widely used communication protocol.
Consists of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP (Internet Protocol).
TCP is responsible for data delivery, while IP provides addresses and routing information.
TCP/IP supports packet switching.
IP addresses identify computers and devices on networks.

Other Internet Communications Protocols

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Secure HTTP (HTTPS): Display webpages.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP): Transfer files over the internet.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and Post Office Protocol (POP3): Deliver emails over the internet.

Ethernet (802.3)

Ethernet: The prevalent standard for wired networks, especially in LANs.
Typically uses twisted-pair, coaxial, or fiber-optic cabling.
Ethernet continually evolves with faster versions of Ethernet.

Ethernet Standards

Different Ethernet standards (10BASE-T, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet) provide varying maximum speeds.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

PoE allows sending electrical power along the Ethernet cables.
Devices can be powered via PoE without needing an electrical outlet.
Commonly used for remote devices like cameras.

Wi-Fi (802.11)

Wi-Fi: A family of wireless networking standards that use the IEEE 802.11 standard.
Used in many everyday objects.
Wireless networking standard designed for medium range transmissions.

WiMAX (802.16)

WiMAX: Standards for long-range wireless networking connections, typically for metropolitan area networks (MANs).
Fixed WiMAX provides internet access to fixed locations (hotzones).
Mobile WiMAX is a mobile version of this standard.

Cellular Standards

First Generation (1G): Analog voice only.
Second Generation (2G): Digital voice and data.
Third Generation (3G): Packet switching; faster speeds.
Fourth Generation (4G): Packet switching; faster speeds than 3G.
Fifth Generation (5G): Next-generation technology; still under development.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth: A short-range wireless networking standard (approx 10 meters).
Typically connects devices.

Networking Hardware

Network adapter (NIC): Connects computers to networks (also sometimes called a network interface card when it's an expansion card).
Modem: Device for computer communication over analog media (often used interchangeably with network adapter).
Switches: Connect devices in a wired network; data sent only to the intended recipient.
Routers: Connect multiple networks (e.g., two LANs, LAN and Internet); plan the most efficient path for data transmission over a network.
Wireless Access Points: Allow devices to connect to a network wirelessly.
Wireless Routers: Routers with built-in wireless access points that connect both wireless and wired devices to a network and the internet.
Bridges: Devices which connect multiple LANs.

Other Networking Hardware

Repeaters: Amplify signals along a network.
Range Extenders: Repeaters for wireless networks.
Antennas: Used for sending and receiving radio signals (some network adapters and routers).
Multiplexers: Combine transmissions from devices to send them as one message.

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Description

Test your knowledge on networking concepts and devices with this quiz. Covering topics such as WiMAX, Bluetooth, routers, and switches, this quiz will challenge your understanding of essential networking hardware and functionalities. Dive in to see how well you know the basics of networking technology!