Networks

• What is a protocol in networking?

  A set of rules for data transmission
• What does a logical protocol govern?

  The rules data must follow during transmission
• Why is baud rate important in data transmission?

  Different rates can mix up transmitted bits
• What does a physical protocol govern?

  The methods for setting up communication
• Why is frequency important in wireless communication?

  Different frequencies prevent successful communication
• Why are protocols important in networking?

  They standardize communication between different devices
• What does WAN stand for?

  Wide Area Network
• What characterizes a WAN?

  Computers are remote with individual peripherals
• What does LAN stand for?

  Local Area Network
• What is a characteristic of a LAN?

  Computers are linked over a small area
• What are the advantages of networking computers as a LAN?

  • Share hardware (e.g., printers)
  • Share files
  • Share Internet connection
  • Centralized security
  • Access files from any machine
  • Central maintenance and backup
  • Central installation and updates
  • Monitor user activity
  • Control access levels
  • Access an intranet
• What does TCP/IP stand for?

  Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol
• What is the purpose of the TCP/IP stack?

  To communicate across a network or internet
• What happens to data as it moves through the TCP/IP stack?

  Data is encapsulated at each layer
• Why is protocol layering used?

  To apply protocols in order and independently
• What does the Application layer do in TCP/IP?

  Packages data for user applications
• What are the layers of the TCP/IP stack?

  Application, Transport, Internet, Link
• What is the role of the Transport layer?

  Establishes a channel and splits data into packets
• What does the Internet layer do?

  Adds IP addresses to packet headers
• What is a socket in networking?

  Combination of IP address and port number
• What does the Link layer do?

  Transports raw data over the transmission medium
• What happens to packets at routers?

  MAC addresses are added and replaced at each hop
• What is the process followed by the receiving computer?

  Reverses the sending process to reconstruct data
• What does DNS stand for?

  Domain Name Server
• What is the purpose of DNS?

  Allows access to websites via domain names
• What is the first step in the DNS process?

  User enters the URL into the browser
• What does the DNS do after receiving a domain name?

  Searches its database for the associated IP address
• What does the computer do with the IP address returned by DNS?

  Connects to the server hosting the web pages
• What is an IP address?

  Uniquely identifies a device on the internet
• What are IPV4 addresses made up of?

  Four single byte integers between 0 and 255
• What is the purpose of IPV6 addresses?

  To overcome the limitations of IPV4 addresses
• What is a key feature of layers in protocols?

  Manufacturers can design for specific layers
• What is packet switching?

  Data divided into packets of equal sizes
• What information is attached to each packet in packet switching?

  Destination, data file, packet number, addresses
• How do packets travel in packet switching?

  Follow the most convenient path without preset routes
• What must happen to packets upon arrival in packet switching?

  They must be reordered before use
• What is the difference between packet switching and circuit switching?

  Packet switching has no established route
• Why is packet switching considered more secure than circuit switching?

  Packets cannot be intercepted easily
• What is a firewall?

  A device that monitors and filters network traffic
• Why would a firm use a firewall?

  To prevent unauthorized access to the network