Flashcards: Computer Networking Fundamentals — 41 cards

What is a computer network?

A set of interconnected devices that communicate and share data through links.

How do end devices differ from intermediary devices?

End devices generate or consume data; intermediary devices connect networks and forward data.

Name examples of end devices in a network.

Computers, smartphones, and laptops.

Name examples of intermediary devices in a network.

Switches, hubs, routers, and firewalls.

What is a network protocol?

A set of rules specifying data format, exchange, error checking, addressing, and delivery.

What is data communication?

The exchange of data between devices through a transmission medium.

What characterizes simplex communication?

It is one-way only.

What characterizes half-duplex communication?

Two-way communication but only one direction at a time.

What characterizes full-duplex communication?

Simultaneous communication in both directions.

What is an example of full-duplex communication?

A telephone.

What is an example of simplex communication?

Radio broadcasting.

What distinguishes guided media from unguided media in transmission?

Guided media use a physical path, unguided media use free space.

How does optical fiber transmit data?

As light signals.

What bandwidth and distance characteristics does optical fiber provide?

High bandwidth over long distances.

Which types of communication are included in unguided media?

Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, Bluetooth, and satellite communication.

At which OSI layer does a hub operate?

The Physical layer.

How does a hub handle incoming signals?

It broadcasts them to all its ports.

At which OSI layer does a switch operate?

The Data Link layer.

How does a switch forward frames?

Using MAC addresses.

At which OSI layer does a router operate?

The Network layer.

How does a router forward packets between networks?

By making routing decisions.

What is the function of a modem?

It converts signals between computer networks and transmission media.

What does circuit switching establish before transmission?

A dedicated path for the communication session.

What does circuit switching maintain during the communication session?

The dedicated path established before transmission.

How does packet switching handle data transmission?

It divides data into packets forwarded independently.

What type of network links do packets use in packet switching?

Shared network links.

Does datagram packet switching establish a connection before transmission?

No, it does not establish a connection before transmission.

What does virtual-circuit packet switching establish before sending packets?

A logical connection.

What area does a LAN cover?

A LAN covers a limited local area.

What area does a MAN cover?

A MAN covers a metropolitan area.

What area does a WAN cover?

A WAN covers a wide geographic area.

Where does a LAN commonly connect devices?

Within a building or campus.

What can a WAN connect?

Networks across cities or countries.

What is the formula for total nodal delay?

Total nodal delay is $T=T_{t}+T_{p}+T_{pr}+T_{q}$.

How is transmission delay calculated?

Transmission delay is $T_t=\frac{L}{R}$ where L is packet length and R is transmission rate.

What is the formula for propagation delay?

Propagation delay is $T_p=\frac{d}{s}$ where d is distance and s is propagation speed.

What does throughput measure in a network?

Throughput measures the rate of successful data delivery from source to destination.

How many layers does the OSI model have and name one?

The OSI model has seven layers, including the Physical layer.

What does the Physical layer transmit in the OSI model?

It transmits raw bits.

What service does the Transport layer provide in the OSI model?

It provides end-to-end delivery.

How does TCP differ from UDP in connection and reliability?

TCP is connection-oriented and reliable, UDP is connectionless and unreliable.