Technology

❖ Lesson one; introduction to computer networks

Definition

1. What is a network?

A network is a collection of two or more computers (or other electronic devices) connected together, usually by
cables or Wi-Fi, to share resources and information.

2. What is a computer network?

A computer network is a set of computers connected together to share resources such as internet access,
printers, and file servers.

3. What is the main purpose of a computer network?

The main purpose of a computer network is to enable resource sharing, communication, and efficient data
transfer among connected devices.

4. What is the Internet?

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and devices that use standardized
communication protocols to share information and services.

Types of Networks

5. What are the four main types of networks?

Local Area Network (LAN)

Personal Area Network (PAN)

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Wide Area Network (WAN)

6. What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?

A LAN connects computers within a small geographical area, such as a home, office, or school, enabling
resource sharing and communication.

7. What is a PAN (Personal Area Network)?

A PAN connects personal devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, typically within a 10-meter
range, using Bluetooth or infrared.

8. What is a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)?

A MAN connects multiple LANs in a larger geographic area, such as a city, using high-speed cables like fiber
optics.

9. What is a WAN (Wide Area Network)?

A WAN connects computers across large geographical areas, such as cities or countries, often linking multiple
LANs together.
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10. What are the differences between LAN, MAN, and WAN?

LAN: Small area, less expensive, easy to set up.

MAN: Medium area, connects multiple LANs, faster than WAN.

WAN: Large area, expensive, requires skilled technicians for maintenance.

History of Networks

11. When did the concept of computer networks begin?

• The concept began in the early 1960s, with the telephone network being the main communication
system at the time.
12. Who proposed ARPANET, and when?
• Leonard Kleinrock proposed ARPANET in 1961.
13. What was ARPANET, and when did its development start?
• ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) was one of the earliest computer networks.
Its development started in 1966.
14. When was the first data transfer between computers on ARPANET?
• The first data transfer occurred on October 29, 1969, between UCLA and SRI.m
15. What was SATNET, and when was it deployed?
• SATNET was the first international network connection, deployed in 1973 by ARPA.
16. How many hosts were connected to ARPANET by the 1970s?
• By the end of the 1970s, about 200 hosts were connected to ARPANET.
17. What major development happened in the 1990s?

The release of the World Wide Web, which brought the internet into millions of homes and businesses
worldwide.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Networks

LAN

18. What are the advantages of LAN?

• Enables collaboration and teamwork.
• Shares resources like printers and files to reduce costs.
• Improves productivity and efficiency.
19. What are the disadvantages of LAN?
• If the network fails, services become inaccessible.
• Limited to a small geographic area.

MAN

20. What are the advantages of MAN?

• Provides fast communication using high-speed cables.
• Covers larger areas than LAN and offers better access.

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21. What are the disadvantages of MAN?
• Requires extensive cabling for setup.
• Harder to secure against hackers.

WAN

22. What are the advantages of WAN?

• Covers large geographical areas.
• Connects multiple devices like laptops, mobile phones, and tablets.
23. What are the disadvantages of WAN?
• High investment costs for setup.
• More security challenges compared to LAN or MAN.

PAN

24. What are the advantages of PAN?

• Easy to set up and maintain.
• Provides secure and short-range solutions for personal use.
25. What are the disadvantages of PAN?
• Limited to short distances (up to 10 meters).
• May experience interference with other networks.

Applications of Networks

26. What are the common uses of computer networks?

• Sharing files and resources like printers.
• Accessing the Internet.
• Facilitating communication through email and messaging.
• Managing and controlling network systems.
27. What is a client-server network?
• A client-server network is one where one or more computers act as servers, managing resources and
providing services to client computers.
28. What is a peer-to-peer network?
• A peer-to-peer network is a decentralized network where all computers are equal and share resources
without a central server.
❖ Lesson 2: Network Devices, Cables, and Protocols
Definitions

1. Define a Network Interface Card (NIC).

• A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware component that provides a physical connection between
a computer and a network.
2. What is a modem?
• A modem (Modulator Demodulator) is a device that converts digital signals from a computer into
analog signals for transmission over telephone lines and vice versa.

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3. What is a hub?
• A hub is a device that connects multiple computers or devices in a network and allows communication
by sending signals to all connected devices.
4. What is a switch?
• A switch is a network device that intelligently forwards data to the correct device in a network based on
its address, improving network efficiency.
5. What is a router?
• A router is a device that connects different networks, routes data between them, and determines the
best path for data transmission.
6. What is a Wireless Access Point (WAP)?
• A Wireless Access Point is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using
Wi-Fi.
7. Define a network protocol.
• A network protocol is a set of rules that governs how devices communicate, format, and process data
over a network.
8. What is an IP address?
• An IP address is a unique 32-bit binary number assigned to a device on a network, used to identify it
and facilitate communication.
9. What is a MAC address?
• A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique hardware address assigned to a network interface
card during manufacturing.

Types of Devices

10. List the main types of network devices.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Modem

Hub

Switch

Bridge

Router

Wireless Access Point (WAP)

11. Differentiate between a hub and a switch.

• Hub: Broadcasts data to all connected devices regardless of the destination.
• Switch: Sends data only to the specific device it is meant for, reducing unnecessary traffic.
12. Differentiate between a router and a bridge.
• Router: Connects different networks and routes data between them.
• Bridge: Connects segments of the same network and filters traffic based on MAC addresses.

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Cables

13. List the three main types of network cables.

• Twisted-pair Cable
• Coaxial Cable
• Fiber-optic Cable
14. Explain a twisted-pair cable.
• A twisted-pair cable consists of two insulated copper wires twisted together to reduce electrical
interference, commonly used in LANs and telephone systems.
15. What is a coaxial cable?
• A coaxial cable consists of a single copper wire surrounded by insulating material, a metal shield, and
an outer plastic cover, commonly used in cable TV networks.
16. What is a fiber-optic cable?
• A fiber-optic cable uses thin strands of glass or plastic to transmit data as light signals, allowing for
high-speed communication over long distances.

Protocols

17. List common network protocols and their uses.

• TCP/IP: Backbone protocol of the Internet.
• FTP: Transfers files between devices.
• HTTP: Transfers web documents.
• SMTP: Sends email messages.
• NFS: Enables access to remote files.
18. Differentiate between an IP address and a MAC address.
• IP Address: Logical address assigned to a device for communication over a network.
• MAC Address: Physical address permanently assigned to a network interface card during
manufacturing.
19. What is the purpose of TCP/IP?
• TCP/IP ensures reliable communication between devices over the internet and intranets.

Explanation Questions

20. Why is a switch more efficient than a hub?

• A switch reduces unnecessary data transmission by forwarding data only to the intended device,
improving network speed and efficiency.
21. Why are fiber-optic cables faster than twisted-pair cables?
• Fiber-optic cables use light to transmit data, which travels faster and with less interference than
electrical signals used in twisted-pair cables.
22. How does a router help manage network traffic?
• A router directs data to the correct destination using the most efficient path and prevents data
collisions by managing traffic between devices.
23. What is the role of protocols in networking?
• Protocols ensure that devices can communicate effectively by standardizing how data is formatted,
transmitted, and received.

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24. How does a modem connect a computer to the internet?
• A modem converts digital signals from a computer into analog signals for transmission over telephone
lines and vice versa.
25. What is the significance of a NIC in a computer?
• The NIC enables a computer to connect to a network, providing a physical interface for
communication.
26. Why is the IP address represented in “dotted decimal” notation?
• The dotted decimal notation simplifies the representation of the 32-bit binary IP address for human
readability.
27. Why is a MAC address unique?
• A MAC address is permanently assigned to a network interface card during manufacturing and cannot
be changed, ensuring unique identification.
28. What makes fiber-optic cables ideal for long distances?
• Fiber-optic cables experience minimal signal loss and interference, making them suitable for high-
speed data transmission over long distances.
❖ Lesson 3;Network Topologies

1. What is a network topology?

• Answer: A network topology is the arrangement or structure of how devices or computers are
interconnected in a network.
2. What are the main types of network topologies?
• Answer: The main types of network topologies are Bus, Ring, Star, Tree, Mesh, and Wireless.
3. What is Bus Topology?
•
Answer: Bus Topology uses a single backbone cable to which all devices are connected. It transmits
data to all devices but only the intended recipient processes the message.
4. What are the advantages of Bus Topology?
• Answer: Simple to install, requires less cable, low cost, and easy to expand.
5. What are the disadvantages of Bus Topology?
• Answer: Whole network shuts down if the backbone cable is damaged, difficult to troubleshoot, and
performance degrades as more devices are added.
6. What is Ring Topology?
• Answer: In Ring Topology, each device is connected to two neighboring devices, forming a closed loop
or ring. Data travels in one direction around the ring.
7. What is a “Token” in Ring Topology?
• Answer: A Token is a special data packet that circulates in the network, allowing devices to send
messages when they receive the token.
8. What are the advantages of Ring Topology?
• Answer: Easy to install and reconfigure, fair access to all devices, quick error checking, and no need for
a central server.
9. What are the disadvantages of Ring Topology?
• Answer: Unidirectional traffic, breakage in the ring can cause network failure, and troubleshooting can
be difficult.

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10. What is Star Topology?
• Answer: In Star Topology, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch. Devices communicate
through the hub.
11. What are the advantages of Star Topology?
• Answer: Simple installation, easy to identify and fix errors, and no interference when adding or
removing devices.
12. What are the disadvantages of Star Topology?
• Answer: Requires more cables than bus topology, failure of the central hub leads to network
breakdown, and can be more costly due to the hub.
13. What is Tree Topology?
• Answer: Tree Topology is a hierarchical structure where several star topologies are connected to a bus,
forming a tree-like structure.
14. What are the advantages of Tree Topology?
• Answer: Easy to expand, error detection is simple, and failure of one device doesn’t disturb the rest of
the network.
15. What are the disadvantages of Tree Topology?
• Answer: Maintenance can become difficult as more devices are added, and failure of the central hub
or concentrator disconnects the entire network.
16. What is Mesh Topology?
• Answer: Mesh Topology involves each device being connected to every other device, creating multiple
paths for data transmission.
17. What are the advantages of Mesh Topology?
• Answer: No traffic problems due to dedicated connections, highly redundant, fault detection is
straightforward, and secure because of point-to-point connections.
18. What are the disadvantages of Mesh Topology?
• Answer: It is complex to deploy, expensive due to the need for more cables, and requires more space
for connections.
19. How does Bus Topology differ from Ring Topology?
• Answer: Bus Topology uses a single backbone cable for communication, while Ring Topology connects
devices in a circular loop and transmits data in one direction.
20. How does Star Topology differ from Mesh Topology?
• Answer: In Star Topology, all devices connect to a central hub, whereas in Mesh Topology, each device
is directly connected to every other device, offering greater redundancy.
21. What happens if the main cable in Bus Topology breaks?
• Answer: If the main cable in Bus Topology breaks, the entire network goes down.
22. What is the impact of adding more devices to a Bus Topology?

Answer: Adding more devices to Bus Topology decreases the network speed and performance.

23. How does Ring Topology handle increased network load?

• Answer: Ring Topology performs better under increased load compared to Bus Topology because the
data moves in one direction at high speed, reducing collisions.

24. What happens when a device is added or removed from a Star Topology network?

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• Answer: In Star Topology, adding or removing devices does not affect the rest of the network, making it
easy to manage.
25. What is the disadvantage of adding nodes to Tree Topology?
• Answer: As more nodes are added to Tree Topology, it becomes more difficult to maintain and manage.
26. What happens if the central hub fails in Star Topology?
• Answer: If the central hub fails, the entire network will be disrupted, as all communication relies on the
hub.
27. Why is Mesh Topology considered more secure than other topologies?
• Answer: Mesh Topology is considered secure because each device has a direct connection with
others, making unauthorized access harder.
28. Which topology is most suitable for large networks with high reliability needs?
• Answer: Mesh Topology is most suitable for large networks requiring high reliability and redundancy
due to its point-to-point connections.

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