Networking Components - Srickperry

PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect. It is a computer bus that connects peripheral devices to the motherboard of a computer. This bus provides a high-speed data path between the CPU and peripheral devices such as graphics cards, network cards, and sound cards. The PCI standard has evolved over time, with newer versions offering faster data transfer rates and improved performance. Overall, PCI plays a crucial role in expanding the capabilities of a computer system by allowing various peripherals to communicate with the CPU efficiently.

An active IDS refers to an intrusion detection system that actively monitors network activity, logs any suspicious behavior, and takes necessary corrective actions. In this case, if the system detects a port scan, it not only logs the activity but also disconnects the system responsible for the suspicious action from the network. This proactive approach ensures that potential threats are immediately addressed and mitigated to prevent any further damage or unauthorized access.

A passive intrusion detection system is designed to only identify and log suspicious activity without taking any corrective action. It is primarily used for monitoring and collecting information about potential security threats, allowing for further investigation and analysis. Unlike an active intrusion detection system, which may actively block or mitigate suspicious activity, a passive system focuses on passive observation and documentation.

VESA stands for Video Electronics Standards Association. This organization is responsible for developing and promoting standards for the video and display industry. They create guidelines and specifications that ensure compatibility and interoperability between different video and display devices. VESA standards cover various aspects such as video resolutions, refresh rates, connectors, and mounting interfaces. By adhering to these standards, manufacturers can ensure that their products work seamlessly with other VESA-compliant devices, providing a consistent and reliable user experience.

The correct answer is "Industry Standard Architecture". ISA stands for Industry Standard Architecture, which refers to a computer bus standard for IBM compatible computers. It was introduced by IBM in 1981 and was widely used until the mid-1990s. ISA allowed for the expansion of a computer system by adding additional hardware components such as sound cards, network cards, and modems. It used a 16-bit data bus and supported a maximum of 16 MB of memory. ISA was eventually superseded by newer bus standards like PCI.

This space is typically used to route power and network cables. It is important to use plenumgrade cables in this space because if there is a fire and you are not using plenumgrade cables, a toxin is given off that could be carried throughout the building, causing harm to individuals. Plenum-grade cabling uses a low-toxicity material for the jacket of the cable in case of fire.

Also called a Digital-Intel-Xerox (DIX) connector

Also called an Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) connector.

If the protocol is a nonroutable protocol such as NetBEUI, the data will be bridged. If the protocol is TCP/IP or IPX/SPX, the routing features of the brouter will be used.

When wiring the network you will typically have the outside line coming into the building connect to a panel; this panel is known as the main distribution frame, or MDF. From the MDF you would typically connect to other panels, known as intermediate distribution frames (IDFs), which is what the workstations connect to. This hierarchy of MDF and IDF panels allows greater flexibility when rearranging the network at a later time.

A bridge is a network connectivity device that is used to break the network down into multiple network segments. It operates at layer 2 of the OSI model and is designed to filter traffic by only forwarding it to the destination network segment. Bridges help to improve network performance and efficiency by reducing network congestion and improving overall network speed. They are commonly used in local area networks (LANs) to connect different segments of the network and ensure efficient data transmission between them.

A cascading hub is a hub that has uplink capabilities. This means that it can connect to another hub or switch to extend the network. The cascading hub acts as an intermediary device, allowing multiple devices to be connected and communicate with each other. It provides a pathway for data to flow between the devices connected to it and the rest of the network. By having uplink capabilities, the cascading hub enables the expansion and scalability of the network infrastructure.

When a switch assigns the VLAN identification information to a packet, it is known as tagging. Tagging involves adding a VLAN tag or VLAN header to the packet, which includes the VLAN ID. This allows the switch to differentiate and route the packet based on the assigned VLAN. Tagging is commonly used in VLAN implementations to separate and manage network traffic efficiently.

Intrusion detection systems are important devices that will complement other security devices such as firewalls. The IDS is an important device because it will notify you not only of suspicious activity against the firewall, but also of suspicious activity inside the network.

The correct answer is "public switched telephone network". PSTN stands for public switched telephone network, which refers to the global network of traditional landline telephones. It is a circuit-switched network that allows for voice communication between different telephone users. This network is operated by telecommunications providers and enables communication through the use of physical copper wires or fiber optic cables. The PSTN has been widely used for decades but is gradually being replaced by digital networks such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

A channel service unit/data service unit (CSU/DSU) is either one device or a pair of devices that allows an organization to get a very-high-speed WAN connection from the telephone company, such as a T1 or T3 link. The CSU is used at the business end to get the connection to the WAN, and the DSU may be used at the provider’s end to allow the CSU to connect.

A network-based IDS has the capability of monitoring the entire network and comparing that traffic to known malicious traffic patterns. When a match is found an alert can be triggered. Network-based IDSs can be software loaded on a system that monitors network traffic or can be a hardware device.

ISDN stands for integrated services digital network. It is a telecommunications network that allows the transmission of voice, data, video, and other network services over traditional copper telephone lines. ISDN provides a digital connection, which offers faster data transfer rates and better call quality compared to analog systems. It enables the integration of multiple services, such as telephone, fax, and internet, over a single network connection. ISDN has been widely used in the past for various applications, including video conferencing, telecommuting, and internet access.

The router resides at layer 3 of the OSI model, which is the network layer. This layer is responsible for routing and forwarding data packets between different networks. Routers use IP addresses to determine the best path for data transmission and make decisions about how to direct traffic. They operate at a higher level than switches or hubs, which are typically found at layer 2 (data link layer) of the OSI model.

A hub is a device that is commonly referred to as a concentrator. It is used to connect multiple devices in a network, allowing them to communicate with each other. A hub receives data packets from one device and broadcasts them to all other connected devices. It does not analyze or filter the data, making it a simple and less intelligent device compared to switches or routers. Therefore, the given answer "hub" is correct as it accurately describes a device that is also known as a concentrator.

When wiring the network you will typically have the outside line coming into the building connect to a panel; this panel is known as the main distribution frame, or MDF. From the MDF you would typically connect to other panels, known as intermediate distribution frames (IDFs), which is what the workstations connect to. This hierarchy of MDF and IDF panels allows greater flexibility when rearranging
the network at a later time.

For example, you want to make sure that your PC environment can access information on the company’s mainframe. As shown in the Figure, when the packet reaches the gateway, the gateway strips the packet down and repackages it so that it is understood on the other side of the gateway.

It is also important to note that when you configure TCP/IP and you configure the “default gateway” setting, you are pointing to the address of the router on the network. It really has nothing to do with an actual “gateway” device.

A hybrid hub is a hub that can use many different types of cables in addition to UTP cabling. A hybrid hub usually is cabled using thinnet or thicknet Ethernet along with popular cable types such as twisted-pair cabling.

A host-based IDS is typically a piece of software installed on the system and can only monitor activity on the system the IDS was installed on.

The correct answer is "advanced graphics port" because AGP stands for Advanced Graphics Port. AGP is a high-speed point-to-point channel for attaching a video card to a computer's motherboard. It was commonly used in the late 1990s and early 2000s to provide faster and more efficient communication between the graphics card and the rest of the system. AGP allowed for improved graphics performance and was eventually replaced by PCI Express.

The correct answer is Microchannel Architecture. MCA stands for Microchannel Architecture, which is a proprietary 32-bit bus architecture developed by IBM in the late 1980s. It was designed as a replacement for the ISA bus and offered higher performance and improved features such as bus mastering and plug-and-play capabilities. However, MCA was not widely adopted by other manufacturers and eventually lost out to the more popular and open standard, PCI.

A wireless access point (WAP) is also known as a cell because it functions as a central hub for wireless communication within a specific area or "cell." It allows devices to connect to a wireless network and access the internet or other network resources. Similar to how cells in a biological organism work together to form tissues and organs, multiple WAPs can be deployed in a network to provide coverage across a larger area, creating a seamless wireless experience for users.

The correct answer is "extended industry standard architecture." EISA stands for extended industry standard architecture, which refers to a computer bus standard that extends the capabilities of the original IBM PC/XT and PC/AT architectures. It was developed in the late 1980s as a backward-compatible enhancement to the ISA bus, allowing for faster data transfer rates and support for more devices. EISA was widely used in the early 1990s before being replaced by newer bus standards like PCI.

A hub sends the signal to all ports on the hub. This means that, if you have a 24-port hub linked to another 24-port hub and a workstation sends data to another workstation, the data will be sent to all 48 ports on the network. This leads to a lot of unneeded traffic and contention across the
entire network that will slow network performance. A solution would be to use a switch, which is the subject of an upcoming discussion!

Using switches instead of standard hubs is considered a best practice because it improves performance. In a standard hub, the bandwidth is shared among all connected users, resulting in slower speeds for each user. However, with a switch, each user gets the full network bandwidth, which leads to faster and more efficient data transmission. This is demonstrated in the example provided, where a 100 Mbps network with a 24-port hub and 24 PCs would give each user only 100/24 Mbps bandwidth, whereas with a switch, each user would have the full 100 Mbps bandwidth.

Hubs and MAUs are both used in networking environments, but they are specific to different types of networks. Hubs are used in Ethernet environments, where they act as a central connection point for multiple devices. They receive data from one device and then broadcast it to all other devices connected to the hub. On the other hand, MAUs (Media Access Units) are used in Token Ring environments. They provide the physical connection between devices in a Token Ring network, allowing them to transmit data in a controlled manner. Therefore, the statement that hubs are used in Ethernet environments and MAUs are used in Token Ring environments is true.

PCMCIA stands for Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association. This association was responsible for developing standards for memory cards used in personal computers. The acronym PCMCIA is commonly used to refer to the type of memory card that follows these standards.

A multistation access unit (MAU) is a device to which multiple workstations are connected in order to communicate on a Token Ring network. A MAU is a hub-type device for Token Ring networks. Like an active hub, a MAU regenerates the signal when it reaches the MAU.

Token Ring networks use a token passing mechanism where only one device can transmit data at a time. Each device on the network waits for its turn to transmit, eliminating the possibility of collisions. Therefore, collision indicators are not necessary in Token Ring networks as collisions cannot occur. Therefore, the given statement is true.

A thinnet segment cannot be attached directly to the BNC connector on the network adapter because it requires the use of a T-connector. This connector is necessary to connect the thinnet cable to the network adapter, allowing for proper communication and data transmission. Without the T-connector, the thinnet segment would not be able to establish a connection with the network adapter and therefore would not function correctly.

A network interface card (NIC) adds the capability to communicate with other computers across a network medium. This means that the computer can connect to other devices, such as servers or other computers, and exchange data or access shared resources. The NIC acts as the interface between the computer and the network, allowing it to send and receive data packets. Without a NIC, the computer would not be able to connect to a network and would be limited to local functionality only.

A gateway can run at any layer of the OSI model depending on what it is translating. It is very popular in the networking world that layers 4,5,6, and 7 are used, but be aware that the gateway could run at any layer.

A repeater is a network component that is used to extend the distance the signal can travel by regenerating the signal. It receives the signal, amplifies it, and then retransmits it to the next segment of the network. This helps to overcome signal degradation and allows the signal to travel further without loss of quality. Unlike a passive hub, switch, or router, which primarily facilitate communication between devices, a repeater specifically focuses on boosting the signal strength to extend its reach.

Managed switches are special switches that have the capability to create and manage VLANs. By grouping ports on a switch to a "virtual LAN," the administrator can control the communication between devices on different VLANs. When a port is configured for a particular VLAN, it is isolated from other VLANs and can only communicate with devices within the same VLAN. This is similar to how a machine in one physical network cannot send data to another network without the use of a router. Therefore, the correct answer is "managed."

VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) is a networking feature that allows you to group ports on a switch to create a broadcast domain. VLANs enable the segmentation of a network into multiple virtual networks, allowing different devices to communicate with each other as if they were on the same physical network. By grouping ports together, VLANs provide enhanced security, improved performance, and better network management by isolating traffic and reducing broadcast traffic.

Another major difference with a MAU is that MAUs don’t actually use an uplink port. With Token Ring, there is a logical ring within the MAU, and when you connect to another MAU, you must complete a full ring structure again. Therefore, you will notice on the Token Ring MAU that it has a ring-in port and a ring-out port. When you wish to connect two MAUs together, you must ring out of the first MAU and, with that cable, ring in to the second MAU.

Since a bridge works with a MAC address, and the MAC is a component of layer 2 of the OSI model, the bridge runs at layer 2 of the OSI model.

A router operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model, which is the network layer. This layer is responsible for routing and forwarding data packets between different networks. Routers use IP addresses to determine the best path for forwarding packets to their destination. They make decisions based on routing protocols and maintain routing tables to efficiently direct traffic. Therefore, Layer 3 is the correct answer for the layer at which a router operates.

Layer 2 switches are responsible for associating MAC addresses with VLANs. When a packet reaches the switch, it tags the packet as a member of a specific VLAN based on the MAC address. This allows the switch to send the packet only to other systems in the same VLAN, regardless of the port the system is connected to. This feature is particularly beneficial for laptop users who move around on the network, as they will always remain a member of the same VLAN unless the switch is reconfigured.

Switching is a fairly involved process that allows the device to have the full bandwidth when transmitting.
The Transceiver is incorrect because a transceiver is the connection point on a NIC and does not allow for multiple users to send data through the transceiver. The bandwidth on the transceiver is dedicated to the PC in which the NIC is installed.
The Hub is incorrect because the bandwidth is divided among all used ports on the hub.
The Repeater is incorrect because it does not split bandwidth, inasmuch as it is used only to receive signals on one cable and regenerate the signal on another cable.

The correct answer is Basic rate interface (BRI). BRI is a type of ISDN connection that consists of two 64 Kbps B-channels and one 16 Kbps D-channel, resulting in a total bandwidth of 128 Kbps. This type of connection is commonly used for small businesses and residential users who require a moderate amount of bandwidth for voice and data communication. On the other hand, Primary rate interface (PRI) is a higher capacity ISDN connection that typically includes 23 B-channels and one 64 Kbps D-channel, providing a total bandwidth of 1.544 Mbps.

A driver is necessary to be installed in order for a NIC (Network Interface Card) to interact with the computer. The driver is a software that enables communication between the NIC and the computer. It allows the computer's operating system to recognize and utilize the features and functionality of the NIC, facilitating the transmission and reception of data between the computer and the network. Without the driver, the NIC would not be able to establish a connection or communicate effectively with the computer.

A BRI ISDN (Basic Rate Interface Integrated Services Digital Network) connection typically consists of two B-channels and one D-channel. The B-channels are used for carrying voice, data, and video traffic, while the D-channel is used for signaling and control purposes. Therefore, the correct answer is 2.