Fundamentals of Computer Networks
What's covered
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Key facts
Advantages and Disadvantages of Networks
One key advantage of a network is that files and printers can be shared between connected computers.
Definition and Purpose of a Computer Network
Two or more computers connected together form a computer network.
HTTP and HTTPS
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol.
Network Protocols — Definition and Purpose
A common protocol is needed between two computers so they both agree on how data is sent and received.
Network Security — Authentication
Authentication on a network checks who a user or device is.
Network Security — Encryption
If encrypted data is intercepted, the attacker only sees scrambled ciphertext, not the original plaintext.
Network Security — Firewalls
A firewall blocks traffic based on rules covering source/destination address, port, protocol, and allowed action.
Network Security — MAC Address Filtering
MAC in MAC address filtering stands for Media Access Control.
Network Topologies — Bus
In a bus topology, if the backbone (the shared central cable) fails, the whole network stops working.
PAN, LAN and WAN
Bluetooth between a phone and wireless headphones is a typical PAN — devices around one person.
Sample questions
A taste of the 122 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
Which is an advantage of using a network?
- •Computers must be in the same physical room
- •Every device must use its own internet line
- ✓Files and printers can be shared
- •Software updates must be installed manually
What is a computer network?
- •A group of users sharing one operating system
- •A set of programs that share the same database
- •A single computer with multiple processors
- ✓Two or more connected computers
What does HTTP stand for?
- •Hyper transport protocol
- •Hyperlink text transfer protocol
- ✓Hypertext transfer protocol
- •Hypertext transmission process
What do network protocols allow?
- ✓Computers to communicate reliably
- •Computers to read each other's files freely
- •Computers to share one keyboard between them
- •Computers to share the same single password
Which is the most common form of network authentication?
- •A handwritten signature scanned in
- •A spoken voice command to the server
- •A weekly emailed letter from IT staff
- ✓Username and password combination
What does encryption do to data?
- •Compresses it to reduce file size
- •Copies it to a secure backup server
- •Deletes it after a set time period
- ✓Scrambles it using a key
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