Networking Concepts: Ethernet and Media Types

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary difference between 10Mb/s and 100Mb/s Ethernet?

The type of physical media used

The length of the cable required

The number of bits transmitted per second (correct)

The type of connectors used

What does goodput measure in a network?

The total throughput of the network

The specified bandwidth in physical layer implementations

Throughput plus session establishment time

Throughput minus traffic overhead (correct)

What does attenuation refer to in the context of copper cabling?

The interference from external electromagnetic fields

The deterioration of the signal over distance (correct)

The strength of the copper cable structure

The ability to transmit data quickly

What is a common use of Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cabling?

Interconnecting network hosts and devices like switches Signup and view all the answers

What type of interference do the twisted wires in UTP cabling primarily help to prevent?

Crosstalk Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of copper media?

Highly resistant to interference Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT typically result in throughput not matching the specified bandwidth?

The length of the Ethernet frame Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of shielding in copper cables?

To minimize electromagnetic and radio frequency interference Signup and view all the answers

What does each data link frame contain regarding the NIC cards involved?

Source and destination data link addresses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following protocols is NOT considered a data link layer protocol?

TCP/IP Signup and view all the answers

What role does the data link layer play in network communications?

It manages physical addressing and access to the physical medium Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the layer 2 protocol selection in a network?

It depends on the technology used in the network topology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of data link frames?

They are always processed in the order of arrival Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of cladding in fiber-optic cable?

To reflect light back into the core. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following industries is NOT mentioned as a user of fiber-optic cabling?

Transportation Networks Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of using fiber-optic cable over traditional copper cabling?

Immunity to EMI and RFI Signup and view all the answers

Which component surrounds the core and helps shield it from damage?

Buffer Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism does the SC connector utilize for ensuring a positive connection?

Push-pull Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of fiber-optic cabling contributes to its flexibility?

Composition of very pure glass Signup and view all the answers

How is data typically encoded for transmission through fiber-optic cables?

As light pulses Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the jacket in the design of fiber-optic cables?

To protect against moisture and abrasion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the popularity of Lucent Connector (LC) Simplex Connectors?

They are smaller than SC connectors. Signup and view all the answers

Which color jacket is used for single-mode fiber cables?

Yellow Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the common types of errors during fiber-optic termination?

Misalignment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods can be used to field test fiber-optic cables?

Shining a bright flashlight into one end and observing the other. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of fiber patch cords in a fiber-optic network?

To connect fiber-optic cables to interconnecting devices. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fiber-optic connector uses a duplex design?

LC Duplex Connector Signup and view all the answers

What does 'end gap' refer to in fiber-optic connection errors?

The media do not fully contact each other. Signup and view all the answers

What type of media is used for wireless communications?

Electromagnetic signals via radio or microwave frequencies Signup and view all the answers

What describes a physical point-to-point topology?

Frames are placed on the media by one node and taken by another. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about logical point-to-point topology?

Nodes can communicate without being directly connected. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a star physical LAN topology?

Devices are connected to a central intermediate device, such as a switch. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an extended star topology?

It features multiple star topologies interconnected by additional switches. Signup and view all the answers

Which topology was commonly used in legacy networks?

Bus topology for its ease of setup. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a ring topology from a bus topology?

Ring topology does not require termination. Signup and view all the answers

In a bus topology, what is the role of termination?

To prevent signal reflection at the ends of the bus. Signup and view all the answers

How does logical topology differ from physical topology?

Physical topology focuses on the actual configuration of devices. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ethernet Speed and Throughput

Ethernet speeds include 10Mb/s and 100Mb/s, with differences based on bits transmitted per second.
Throughput is the measure of bits transferred over time, often lower than specified bandwidth due to various factors like traffic amount and latency from network devices.
Goodput represents the effective throughput after accounting for traffic overhead, such as session establishment and acknowledgments.

Types of Physical Media

Various interfaces and ports are utilized in network devices, particularly in routers.

Copper Cabling

Copper cables transmit data as electrical pulses; however, the signal deteriorates with distance (attenuation).
Strict distance limitations exist for all copper media, which are vulnerable to electromagnetic (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI).
Crosstalk occurs when electrical or magnetic fields from one wire disturb signals in an adjacent wire; it can be mitigated by twisting wire pairs.

Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) Cable

UTP is the most common networking medium, terminated with RJ-45 connectors for connecting network hosts to devices like switches.
It consists of four twisted pairs of wires to protect against interference and reduce signal attenuation, making it immune to EMI and RFI.

Fiber Optic Cabling

Encodes bits on glass fibers using light pulses, offering superior transmission capabilities compared to copper.
Composed of various layers: jacket (protection), strengthening material (prevents stretching), buffer (shields core), cladding (reflects light), and core (transmits light).

Fiber-Optic Connectors

Includes Straight-Tip (ST), Subscriber (SC), Lucent (LC), and Duplex Multimode LC connectors, facilitating optical fiber connections.
Requires fiber patch cords for interconnecting devices; specific color jackets indicate single-mode (yellow) and multimode (orange/aqua) compatibility.

Fiber Testing and Issues

Termination and splicing of fiber-optic cabling require specialized training and can lead to errors like misalignment, end gap, or poor end finish.
Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is used for testing fiber integrity; a simple flashlight test can check individual segments.

Wireless Media

Wireless technologies transmit data using electromagnetic signals, often utilizing radio or microwave frequencies.

WAN Topologies

Physical point-to-point topology features direct communication between nodes without intermediate devices.
Logical point-to-point topology allows for physical node connections via various intermediate devices, creating virtual circuits.

LAN Topologies

Various physical LAN topologies include:
- Star: all end devices connected to a central switch.
- Extended Star: interconnects multiple star topologies.
- Bus: legacy system where devices are chained with termination at both ends, typically using coax cables.
- Ring: each device connects to two others, forming a circle without needing termination.

Data Link Frame

Data link frames contain source and destination MAC addresses corresponding to the network interface cards (NICs).
Layer 2 protocols, such as Ethernet, 802.11 Wireless, and PPP, are crucial for defining topology technology.

Conclusion of Networking Fundamentals

Understanding physical layer protocols supports network communication.
Basic networks can be built using appropriate media.
The data link layer is essential for facilitating communications, utilizing various access control techniques and topologies.

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Description

This quiz covers fundamental networking concepts, focusing on Ethernet speeds and throughput, along with types of physical media used in networks. You'll explore the characteristics of copper cabling and the impact of interference on signal quality. Test your understanding of these essential networking topics.