Media and Topologies - Answer Sheet

If computers are connected in a row, along a single cable this is called a bus topology, if they branch out from a single junction or hub this is known as a star topology. When computers are connected to a cable that forms a continuous loop this is called a ring topology.

Mesh networks provide redundancy, in the event of a link failure.

Ring topology is an active topology because each computer repeats (boosts) the signal before passing it on to the next computer.

The IEEE 802.5 Token Ring standards define services for the OSI physical layer and the MAC sublayer of the data link layer.

Fiber Distributed Data Interface, shares many of the same features as token ring networks.

FDDI has better fault tolerance because of its use of a dual, counter-rotating ring that enables the ring to reconfigure itself in case of a link failure.

RJ-45 connectors are used with 10-100 BaseT cables. These resemble telephone RJ-11 connectors, but are larger and house 8 wires.

The transceiver for thicknet Ethernet includes a vampire tap which pierces the thicknet cable to make the network connection.

A BNC barrel connector, can be used to connect two lengths of cables together. But It is better to use one continuous length of cable, as these connectors weaken the signal strength.

Twisted-pair cabling comes in two basic types shielded and unshielded.

A Hub is a component that provides a common connection point for computers, printers, and other network devices in a star topology network.

There are two basic types of hubs, passive and active.

Active Hubs, regenerate and retransmit the data signal.

A bridge is used to join two network segments together, it allows computers on either segment to access resources on the other. They can also be used to divide large networks into smaller segments.

Brouters are a combination bridge, and router in one device.

In order to communicate with a host on another network, an IP host must be configured with a route to the destination network. If a configuration route is not found, the host uses the gateway to tramit the traffic to the destination host.

ISDN adapters must be connected directly to a digital telephone network.