Networking

What is the top data rate of cellular standard LTE (Long-Term Evolution), the highest at the time of writing?

150 Mbps. Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a converged 4G standard supported by both the GSM and CDMA network providers. In theory, LTE has a maximum downlink of 150 Mbps.

Which wireless standard works only in the 5 GHz range with the 2.4 GHz band reserved for legacy standards support but can provide speeds of up to 1.7 Gbps?

802.11ac

What type of system would use a Hybrid Fiber Coax connection?

A CATV provider that also has internet access

Which 802.11 standard has the greatest rate of data throughput?

802.11ac (up to 1.7 Gbps at the time of writing on the 5 GHz band)

What frequency does 802.11ac work at?

802.11ac works only in the 5 GHz range with the 2.4 GHz band reserved for legacy standards support (802.11b/g/n), but it can provide speeds of up to 1.7 Gbps.

Which legacy wireless standard provides a maximum data transfer rate of 11 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band?

802.11b

What is the maximum transfer rate for the 802.11b standard?

802.11b is the legacy standard, providing a maximum transfer rate of 11 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band.

Which wireless standard provides a 54 Mbps maximum transfer rate?

802.11g acted as an upgrade path for 802.11b, working at 54 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz channel but also allowing support for older 802.11b clients.

Which wireless standard provides a 54 Mbps maximum transfer rate?

802.11g. 802.11g acted as an upgrade path for 802.11b, working at 54 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz channel but also allowing support for older 802.11b clients.

Which wireless standard can use either 2.4 or 5 GHz band and delivers much improved data rates over 802.11b/g (nominally up to 600 Mbps)?

802.11n

What is a captive portal?

A secure login page presented to a client after connecting to an open access point

What is a Service Set Identifier (SSID) and how is it used?

A series of alphanumeric characters used to identify a WAP and all the devices attached to it. A Service Set Identifier (SSID) is a string of letters and/or numbers. This is commonly referred to as the network name. Most wireless access points broadcast their SSID unless you specify otherwise. It is recommended that you change the SSID to something more unique or disable SSID broadcasting altogether.

Which type of device connects computers together in an Ethernet LAN?

A switch

What is near field communication (NFC)?

A very short-range radio link based on RFID. NFC sensors and functionality are appearing in smartphones for contactless payment readers.

How can you confirm that you have properly configured a SOHO wireless router?

A wireless client can connect to the router

What type of network technology would use DOCSIS?

Cable Access TV (CATV)

What type of modem/router uses a short segment of coax cable terminated using an F-connector?

Cable modem/router

What are cellular data connections and what are they used for?

Cellular data connections use radio transmissions at greater range than Wi-Fi. Cellular data is more closely associated with Internet access for cell phones and smartphones than with computers.

What step should be performed as early as possible when configuring a wireless access point (WAP)?

Changing the default password

What type of fiber optic networking solution is widely deployed in urban areas?

Fiber Optic to the Curb (FTTC)

What is FTTC?

Fiber to the Curb. This is where the provider installs a fiber network terminating at a cabinet somewhere in a nearby street. This is a physical implementation of network cabling.

What is FTTH?

Fiber to the Home. This is a physical implementation of network cabling.

What is Wi-Fi?

IEEE's 802.11 standards for WLANs using 2.4 and 5 GHz bandwidth speeds between 11 Mbps and 1.7 Gbps

What is a best practice for the Service Set Identifier (SSID) of a wireless router?

It should be changed to a more unique name or have its broadcast disabled.

What is the major technical issue in using a satellite network connection?

Latency problems within the system

What is the major technical issue in using a satellite network connection?

Latency problems within the system. Satellite connections experience severe latency problems, as the signal has to travel thousands of miles more than in terrestrial connections, introducing a delay of 4-5 times greater that of a land link.

Which of these cellular standards has the fastest top data rate: GPRS (general packet radio service), EV-DO (evolved data optimized), HSPA+ (evolved high speed packet access (HSPA), or LTE (Long-Term Evolution)?

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a converged 4G standard supported by both the GSM and CDMA network providers. In theory, LTE has a maximum downlink of 150 Mbps. EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) is a precursor to 3G (2.5G) with GPRS offering speeds up to 144-192 Kbps. Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) is a 3G standard developed from GSM networks. HSPA+ nominally supports download speeds up to 168 Mbps and upload speeds up to 34 Mbps. Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) is the main 3G standard deployed by CDMA network providers. EV-DO can support a 3.1 Mbps downlink and 1.8 Mbps uplink.

What frequencies does the 802.11n standard work at?

The 802.11n standard can use either a 2.4 or 5 GHz band and delivers much improved data rates over 802.11b/g (nominally up to 600 Mbps).

Which of the following is NOT a Radio Frequency means of creating a wireless network?

NFC (Near Field Communication)

What are some causes of Wi-Fi signal interference?

Other Wi-Fi networks, particularly dense or thick wall materials, and fluorescent lighting

What type of computer connector would you use on the WAN port of a DSL modem?

RJ-11 The RJ-11 ports are on the DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modem/router appliance used to connect a home network to the Internet. The Internet or Wide Area Network (WAN) port on the router will be the RJ-11 type.

What type of connector would you use on the Wide Area Network (WAN) port of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem?

RJ-11. The RJ-11 ports are on the DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modem/router appliance used to connect a home network to the Internet. The Internet or Wide Area Network (WAN) port on the router will be the RJ-11 type.

What type of connector does an Ethernet adapter with twisted pair cables use?

RJ-45

What is satellite used for in networking terms?

Satellite systems use microwave dishes aligned with orbital satellites that can either relay signals between sites directly or via another satellite. Satellite services are more common in rural areas where DSL or cable services are less likely to be available.

How does attenuation affect wireless networking?

Signal strength decreases in distance from the source and decreases the data transfer rate.

What is the PS/2, a round connector with 6 pins, used for?

The purple PS/2 port is used to connect a keyboard, whereas the green PS/2 port is used for a mouse.

What is VDSL?

Very High Bit Rate DSL In FTTC, each residence connects to the fiber network over over ordinary copper telephone cabling using VDSL communications.

What is WEP and when would you use it for Wi-Fi?

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an older standard. WEP is flawed and you would only select this if compatibility with legacy devices and software were necessary.

Which wireless encryption standard improves on WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) by adding the TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)?

WPA

Which wireless encryption standard improves security by adding Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cipher-based authentication?

WPA2

Which standard is the best choice for encrypting your wireless network?

WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2). WPA2 implements the 802.11i WLAN security standard. The main difference from WPA is the use of the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) cipher for encryption. AES is much stronger than RC4/TKIP.

Which standard is the best choice for encrypting your wireless network?

WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2). WPA2 implements the 802.11i WLAN security standard. The main difference from WPA is the use of the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) cipher for encryption. AES is much stronger than RC4/TKIP.

Which system uses an automatically generated Service Set Identifier (SSID) and encryption keys to configure wireless networks?

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)

Which system uses an automatically generated SSID and encryption keys to configure wireless networks?

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). WPS allows the router to use an auto-generated SSID and encryption key and for these to be communicated to the client without the user having to enter them manually.

When would open authentication be appropriate for a wireless network?

When the network is completely public and intended for everyone

What is WPA and when would you use it for Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). WPA fixes most of the security problems with WEP. WPA uses the same weak RC4 cipher as WEP but adds a mechanism called the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) to make it stronger.