Homework Week 1

Short Answer

1. What are the advantages of a client/server network?

I would have to say that everything for the network is held on a centralized server.
It is much more secure than information being on one pc connected to a network.
All information is held on the server. Also the server can be upgrade without any
data loss to the clients. Besides the fact that everything is centralized on one
network that works together with the clients and the server.

2. What is a MAC address?

It is the Physical Address given by the NIC to the computer. It is a Unique
identifier having a 48 bit value.

3. What is meant by the term “soft skills?”

Soft skills, I would have to say they are general skills in whatever field of study
that you are in, for example maybe something like you have set up your own
network at home and have the basic knowledge of the networking field.

4. What are some of the advantages of certification?

I would have to say that it says that the person that is certified has the knowledge
of the field. You will be able to get a better job than just having the degree. It also
says that you know what you are doing, you know the information, and of course
you are recognized around the world for the certification

5. What is the difference between Ethernet and Token Ring?

Ethernet – It uses a coaxial cable or Ethernet cable information is sent across the
network to different machines along the network through a hub/switch when a
computer sends information the same time that another one does the information
collides causing each of the machines to stop transmission and then resend data
packets. The switch helps to alleviate collisions.
Token Ring - It is in some ways similar but it uses tokens to send data basically
when a computer wants to send data it has to capture the token that is free and
replace the data with what it wants to send then it is sent. If there are many
computers in the token ring each computer in the ring reads the information till it
is received by the computer that is meant to receive the information. Basically a
big circle, one computer sends information and each computer in the ring reads it
and if it is not meant for one of the computers in the ring it is then sent out until it
reaches its destination. It is designed so that there is no conflictions among the
network, also one of the computers is designated to be the active monitor to make
sure that none of the other computers cause problems in the network.
6. Describe what a “NIC” is, and what purpose is has in a network?
Really, A NIC or Network Interface Card is what allows you to connect to the
internet via a LAN connection using an Ethernet Connection or by means of a
wireless connection.

7. What is the difference between a connection-oriented protocol and a

connectionless protocol?
A connection oriented protocol, a session is created between the sender and the
receiver. Both computers are linked at that point and the sender starts sending
requests for data and intern the recipient receives the information and responds.
A connectionless protocol the sender sends information and just keeps on sending
information, where reliability is lost.

8. Provide a brief description of each of the layers of the OSI model.

• Layer 7 – Application –This is where the end user views and sees the data.
Interacts with the hardware and software

• Layer 6 – Presentation – This is where the information is translated into a

format that applications can read. It also formats and encrypts data so it
can be sent across a network.

• Layer 5 – Session – It basically controls the dialogues connections

between PC’s It can Establish and even Terminate a connection locally
and remotely.

• Layer 4 – Transport – In this layer data is broken down to smaller pieces

for sending and put back together for receiving. It’s like the mail it is
given a sequence of numbers so that it may be put back together properly.

• Layer 3 – Network – It is part of the break and reassembly of packets that

are sent and also reports errors. It is mainly the control of information sent
on one or more networks

• Layer 2 – Data Link – Would be the NIC which controls the address of
your computer, also is the MAC address also the LLC communicates with
the computer

• Layer 1 – Physical - It is basically the hardware in your computer such as

the cables and hubs that can transport data from one computer to another.