Lesson 16: Connecting to a Network

What can you do to reduce the risk of using a free Wi-Fi network to place an order from an online shop? A. Ensure that the online store uses a secure (HTTPS) connection. B. Request an encrypted transaction. C. Change your password. D. Change your credit card number often.

A. Ensure that the online store uses a secure (HTTPS) connection. Data on an open network may be intercepted by the person running the network or by other computers connected to the network. Ensuring that the online store uses a secure (HTTPS) connection can help to avoid that situation. Whether or not the transaction data is encrypted is a programming issue, and isn't typically an option that you can request on the fly. Changing your password is always a good security booster; however, it doesn't prevent your data from being intercepted on an open network. Providing credit card data on an unsecured Wi-Fi network poses a risk whether or not the card number has been recently changed.

What is the latest Wi-Fi standard and which frequency band(s) does it use? A. IEEE 802.11ac works in the 5 GHz band. B. IEEE 802.11n works in the 5 GHz band. C. IEEE 802.11b works in the 5 GHz band. D. IEEE 802.11g works in the 2.4 GHz band.

A. IEEE 802.11ac works in the 5 GHz band. IEEE 802.11ac works in the 5 GHz band. Most 802.11ac access points do have 2.4 GHz radios but they use them to support legacy standards. Most SOHO routers support 802.11g/n or 802.11g/n/ac. This means that you can have a mix of client devices. IEEE 802.11n works with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, with data rates up to 600 Mbps. IEEE 802.11b works only in the 2.4 GHz band with data rates up to 11 Mbps. IEEE 802.11g works in the 2.4 GHz band. Although it's an improvement over IEEE 802.11b at a data rate of 54 Mbps, it is significantly less powerful than the latest standard.

What device is used to connect computers together in an Ethernet network? A. An access point B. A switch C. Internet router D. Internet modem

B. A switch In an ethernet network, a switch connects computers together using RJ-45 network ports and twisted-pair cabling. For Small Office Home Office (SOHO), switches connect either 4 or 8 computers. In enterprise networks, switches often connect 24 or 48 computers. An access point creates a Wi-Fi wireless network (WLAN) between computers and mobile devices. Some access points have integrated switches. An Internet router connects the Local Area Network (LAN) to the Internet. For SOHO networks, the router is often integrated with a modem, switch, and/or access point. An Internet modem is used when connecting a Local Area Network (LAN) to a provider over cable. This configuration uses a short segment of coax terminated using an F-connector.

You log into a SOHO router and review current settings to prepare it for use. Which of the following items is NOT needed to configure a wireless connection on the router? A. SSID B. IP address C. Encryption type D. Authentication info

B. IP address Configuring a wireless connection manually doesn't require the IP address. It does, however, require that the router be identified by its SSID. In addition, the encryption type and authentication information are required. The SSID (Service Set ID) is the name for the WLAN and is usually set by default to the router's name, but, since the name will display to other wireless devices, it's good to change it. Under the Encryption option, it's best to select the highest security mode supported by the devices on the network. Authentication will include an administrative password. If the password is being used for the first time, it's best to change it to something secure.

Which of the following is NOT a medium used for Internet access? A. Cable/Hybrid Fiber Coax B. Internet Service Provider (ISP) C. Fiber to the Curb (FTTC) D. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

B. Internet Service Provider (ISP) An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is the company who specializes in providing Internet access to companies and individual customers. Depending on the size of the ISP, they may provide one or more Internet access methods. Cable Internet access is provided as a part of a Cable Access TV (CATV) system. FTTC are fiber optic networks that typically perform better, but are more expensive. DSL networks use regular phone lines and are a popular choice because they're readily available and less expensive. Satellite and cellular radio are additional options.

What is the difference between a modem and a router? A. The modem forwards packets between the local network and the Internet while the router transmits frames across the WAN link B. The modem transmits frames across the WAN link while the router forwards packets between the local network and the Internet. C. The modem and the router have exactly the same responsibilities, so the terms are often used interchangeably. D. The modem transmits frames across the WAN link while the router translates the server's web address into an IP address.

B. The modem transmits frames across the WAN link while the router forwards packets between the local network and the Internet. A modem creates a serial link between two computers over some sort of long distance media. It operates at the data link layer. A router makes forwarding decisions between logical networks. The framing and transmission details are the responsibility of the modem (or of an Ethernet switch or wireless access point). The router just needs to know that a particular logical network can be reached over one of its interfaces. Most SOHO devices pack all these functions into a single appliance but it is important to recognize that they are not the same, and understand the differences between the functions. Obtaining the IP address from a web address is the responsibility of DNS.

What does attenuation mean? A. Bluetooth signal strength B. Signal interference C. Loss of strength of a signal D. Inactive access point

C. Loss of strength of a signal Attenuation describes the loss of strength of a signal related to the distance it has to travel. Attenuation sets the distance limitations on different network media types. Signal interference can play a factor in reduced Wi-Fi speed and is often caused by other radio-based devices and nearby Wi-Fi networks. Bluetooth uses the 2.4 GHz frequency range but a different modulation technique, so interference is possible but not common. An active access point is a requirement for sending signals via Wi-Fi. Access points can be activated by push-button or a software-based sync button.