Network Devices ( CompTIA Objective 2.2)

Question 1

What is a Network Interface Card( NIC)

Answer 1

The Fundamental Network Device. Allows a device to communicate with the internet. Every device on a network has a NIC, E.G computers, servers, printers, routers, switches, phones, tablets, cameras, etc.

Specific to the network type e.g. Ethernet, WAN, wireless, etc.

Question 2

What does a Repeater do?

Answer 2

Receives an internet signal, regenerates it and resend. Common uses include boost copper or fiber connections. Also to Convert one network media to another. Will also extend wireless networks reach

Question 3

What is a Hub?

Answer 3

• A “ Multi-port repeater”.
• Traffic going in one port is repeated to every other port.
• Everything is half duplex meaning that only one device can communicate at one time.

Question 4

What is a con of a Hub?

Answer 4

It becomes less efficient as network size/ speeds increase. Also capped at lower bandwidth speeds 10mb/100mb

Question 5

What is a Bridge?

Answer 5

• Imagine a switch with two to four ports.
• Makes forwarding decisions in software.
• Connects different physical networks
• Distributes traffic based on MAC address.
• An example of a bridge would be a WAP which connects a Wired network with a wireless one.

Question 6

What are Switches?

Answer 6

• Bridging done in hardware
• Application - specific integrated circuit ( ASIC)
• Forwards traffic based on data link adddress
• Has many ports and features and can provide Power Over Ethernet( PoE)
• Can also be in the form of a multi layer switch which allows routing functionality.

Question 7

Benefits of a Unmanaged Switch are?

Answer 7

• Very few configuration options ( Plug n play)
• Fixed configuration - no VLANs
• Very little integration with other devices( no management protocols such as SNMP)
• Low price point

Question 8

Benefits of a Managed switch are?

Answer 8

• Supports VLAN
• Traffic prioritization
• Voice traffic gets a higher priority ( VOIP)
• Redundancy support via spanning Tree Protocol( STP)
• Able to use an External Management such as Simple Network Management Protocol( SNMP) -
• Able to set up Port mirroring/ Capture packets

Question 9

What is a Router?

Answer 9

Network device that makes forwarding decisions based upon destination IP address. Can be integrated as part of a switch these are known as a Multilayer switch or “ layer 3 switches”

Question 10

What is a WAP

Answer 10

Extends a wired network onto a wireless network.

• Makes forwarding decisions based upon MAC address similar to a bridge
• Not a wireless router. A wireless router is a router and a WAP in a single device. Routers forward traffic based upon destination IP address.

Question 11

What is a Wireless LAN Controller?

Answer 11

• Is a centralized management of WAPs “ A single pane of glass”
• Has management functions such as deploying new access points
• Can monitor performance and security
• Report on access point use

Question 12

What is the purpose of a Firewall

Answer 12

• Used to filter traffic based upon port number
• OSI layer 4( TCP/UDP)
• Some firewalls can filter based on application.
• Able to encrypt traffic into/out of the network and protect traffic between sites.
• Can proxy traffic confirm website requests are allowed.
• Can also be part of a layer 3 device such as a router.

Question 13

What is a Cable Modem?

Answer 13

• Broadband
• Transmission across multiple frequencies
• Different traffic types
• Internet data is carried on a cable networks cable known as DOCSIS( Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification)
• Is considered to be a High speed network. Speeds anywhere from 4mbps up to 1 gbps.
• Cable able to carry data, voice and video.

Question 14

What is a DSL Modem?

Answer 14

• ADSL( Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) uses telephone lines to carry internet signal( Data)
• Download speeds are faster than upload speeds.
• Has a max supported length of data cable of 10,000 feet from the central office.
• Common speeds are 52mbps/ down/ 16mbps up

Question 15

What are patch panels?

Answer 15

• Combination of 110 punch down blocks and RJ-45 connectors
• Runs from desks are made once / Permanently Punched down to a patch panel.
• Patch panel to switch can be easily changed no special tools needed just use existing cables.

Question 16

What is Power Over Ethernet?

Answer 16

• Power provided on an ethernet Cable. Power provided is via the switch on the other end.
• One wire for both network and electricity
• Phones, cameras, wireless access points
• Useful in difficult-to-power areas
• Built in power from the switch is referred to as an Endspan whereas an In line power injector known as a midspan provides power when power is not available at the switch.

Question 17

What is Ethernet Over Power( EOP) ?

Answer 17

• Also known as Power-line communication( PLC)
• IEEE standard 1901
• Transmits at 500 megabits per second
• Provides ethernet over a power cable

Question 18

Managed switches are able to be interconnected with other switches what is this known as?

Answer 18

• 802.1Q