Network Hardware

• What is the primary function of a modem?

  A modem transforms digital information from your computer into analog signals for transmission.
• How does a modem translate incoming signals?

  It translates incoming analog signals back into digital data that your computer can understand.
• What processes does a modem perform on electrical signals?

  A modem modulates and demodulates electrical signals sent through various types of wiring.
• What are the two ports typically found on standalone modems?

  One port connects to the outside world and the other is an ethernet port for a computer or router.
• What is the main responsibility of a router?

  A router is mainly responsible for routing data between devices on a network.
• How does a modem connect to a router?

  A modem connects to one port on the router, often labeled wide area network.
• How do devices connect to a router?

  Devices connect to the router through other ports or wirelessly using the Wi-Fi standard.
• What type of device do most internet service providers provide today?

  Most providers give a single device that serves as both a modem and a router.
• What are the two main methods for connecting devices to a network?

  The two main methods are wired and wireless connections.
• What are the three most popular types of wired connections used today?

  • Twisted pair
  • Coaxial
  • Fibre optic
• What is a twisted pair cable made of?

  A twisted pair cable is made up of a pair of insulated copper wires.
• What is a disadvantage of twisted pair cables?

  They can be affected by noise from external magnetic fields.
• For what applications are twisted pair cables generally used?

  They are used for telephone networks, data networks, and cable shielding.
• What are coaxial cables made up of?

  Coaxial cables consist of four cylindrical components: a solid conductor wire, insulation, a grounding conductor, and exterior insulation.
• How do coaxial cables compare to twisted pair cables in terms of noise immunity?

  Coaxial cables are affected by noise from external magnetic fields to a lesser extent than twisted pair cables.
• What are the typical uses of coaxial cables?

  Coaxial cables are used for connecting radio transmitters and receivers to antennas, as well as for computer network connections and cable television.
• What are fiber optic cables made of?

  Fiber optic cables are made of very thin optical fibers that can be either glass or plastic.
• What is the noise immunity of fiber optic cables?

  Fiber optic cables have the highest noise immunity as light rays are unaffected by electrical noise.
• For what applications are fiber optic cables commonly used?

  They are used for long-distance connections between cities and countries, as well as in data centers and organizations transmitting large volumes of data.
• What is the role of a network interface card (NIC)?

  • Allows a computer to connect to a network
  • Supports both wired and wireless communications
  • Operates on the physical and data link layers
• What happens if a computer does not have a NIC?

  A computer cannot connect to a network without a NIC.
• What is the function of a wireless access point?

  A wireless access point creates a wireless local area network (WLAN) in a designated area.
• How does a wireless access point connect to a network?

  It connects to a wide router, switch, or hub via an ethernet cable.
• Why might a school use a wireless access point?

  A school might use it to enable Wi-Fi access in areas without a router within range.
• What is a limitation of Wi-Fi range?

  Wi-Fi range is limited and can be easily interrupted by various construction materials.
• What is the function of a hub in a network?

  A hub allows you to connect multiple devices to one network and broadcasts transmissions to all connected devices.
• How does a hub operate in terms of data transmission?

  A hub operates on the physical layer and is considered a passive device.
• What is a disadvantage of using a hub?

  A hub can flood the network with unnecessary traffic due to its broadcasting nature.
• How does a switch differ from a hub?

  A switch operates on the data link layer and can inspect transmissions to route them to the correct device.
• What is a key advantage of using a switch over a hub?

  A switch keeps unnecessary traffic to a minimum and is typically faster than a hub in data transfer.
• Why have switches largely replaced hubs in organizations?

  Switches have largely replaced hubs due to their efficiency in data transfer and traffic management.
• What are some modern network devices that serve multiple purposes?

  • Devices that connect homes to the internet often combine modem, switch, router, and wireless access point functionalities.
  • They may also act as a firewall, DHCP server, and NAT.