NET 121b: Essentials of Networking

Review for First Test, Chapters 1-5

 

1. What are two meanings of the word "protocol"?
   
   
2. What are the main characteristics of centralized computing?
   
   
3. What are the main characteristics of distributed computing?
   
   
4. What is a host?
   
   
5. How is a client/server network different from a peer-to-peer network?
   
   
6. What are the four physical topologies described in your text? You should be able to draw a simple example of each type.
   
   
7. Which topology is the easiest to reconfigure? What kind of medium is typically used for it?
   
   
8. What is a network operating system? Give an example from a major vendor.
   
   
9. What are the meaning of the terms LAN, MAN, and WAN?
   
   
10. What are some typical services provided on networks?
    
    
11. What is the OSI model? What organization created it?
    
    
12. What are the names of the seven layers of the OSI model? How are they normally arranged in a chart?
    
    
13. What is a packet? How does a packet travel with respect to the seven layers, when a client makes a request?
    
    
14. How are headers added to packets? How are they removed?
    
    
15. What is the main purpose of each of these protocols: HTTP, FTP, SMTP?
    
    
16. What is a NIC? Why would you want one? How can you connect to a network if you don't have one?
    
    
17. What kind of address is associated with a NIC? What layer of the OSI model does this place a NIC on?
    
    
18. What is an IRQ? What is a DMA channel? Why would a new card installed on a computer need an I/O address assigned?
    
    
19. What are two paths to the properties of a NIC on a Windows XP computer?
    
    
20. What is a network protocol?
    
    
21. What is the IEEE? What series of protocols and methods devised by the IEEE relate to networks?
    
    
22. What is a gateway? Why could a gateway exist almost anywhere in a network?
    
    
23. What is a token? Why are tokens passed?
    
    
24. What is contention? What IEEE standards would address contention?
    
    
25. What medium is used in an FDDI network? What is a characteristic of a network that would make FDDI a good choice for it?
    
    
26. Name three protocols that would be associated with the Transport layer. Why do they belong on this layer?
    
    
27. Name three protocols that would be associated with WANs.
    
    
28. Name three protocols that would be associated with security on networks.
    
    
29. Which layer of the OSI model is associated with encryption?
    
    
30. What encryption scheme uses two keys: one that is given out to customers, and one that is closely guarded by a vendor?
    
    
31. What is the difference between WEP and WPA on wireless networks? Which would be expected to offer better security?
    
    
32. Networks typically use bandwidth one of two ways. What are they, and what is the major difference between them?
    
    
33. Which OSI layer offers three methods of dialog control? What are the three methods?
    
    
34. Give an example of each of the three methods in the question above.
    
    
35. What is attenuation? Why is it important in networks?
    
    
36. What is EMI? Give an example of how it might be encountered in a network environment.
    
    
37. Name the two major varieties of twisted pair cable. What is the difference between them? Which is more common?
    
    
38. What kind of connectors are most often used for UTP cable?
    
    
39. What kind of connectors are most often used for thin coaxial cable?
    
    
40. How is the conductor in fiber optic cable different from coaxial cable or UTP cable?
    
    
41. What is a concentrator? What network topology supports the use of hubs?
    
    
42. Wireless networks are supported by what IEEE standard?
    
    
43. What could be a likely cause of interference with Wi-Fi service in a typical home? What other wireless technology uses the same frequency as many Wi-Fi devices?