Lab 1.2: Networking Topologies and Characteristics

What are the characteristics of a physical network topology?

A physical network topology displays the actual layout of the network and displays the physical location of devices

Client-Server networking models

Companies use these to connect devices. A centralized authentication server is used for authentication and authorization of the available networking resources. These resources can include file shares or printers. Several networking topologies can be used in this model.

Which of the following are advantages of a Mesh topology?

Ensure high-availability of the network connectivity and redundancy of network connectivity

Which of the following network topology has a single point of failure?

Star, bus, and ring

Campus Area Network (CAN)

This networking model refers to connecting different buildings and is widely used by educational facilities like colleges and universities. All the buildings are located in the same geographical area and are connected using specific networking equipment.

Local Area Network (LAN)

are used to connect devices on the network. These devices are all located in the same geographical location, like an office block. A client-server networking model is normally used in conjunction with this model.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

connects devices by using a wireless router. It is normally used in homes and small offices. This type of network is easy to setup and configure and does not require expensive networking equipment, for example, an authentication server.

Multipoint Generic Routing Encapsulation (mGRE)

is a Cisco proprietary routing protocol that encapsulates several network layer protocols through virtual point-to-point or point-to-multipoint links using the Internet.

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)

is a routing technique, not a routing protocol. The data is directed to nodes based on the shortest path and not according to a routing table, thus speeding up the transfer of data on the network. It is a very complex and expensive setup.

Software-defined Wide Area Network (SDWAN)

is a technology that is used to centralize the management of networking devices using an application.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

is created by an individual user and typically consists of the user connecting to nearby devices using wireless technologies like wifi and Bluetooth. It can also be used to connect the user device to the internet. Tablets and smartphones are mostly used to create these types of networks.

Storage Area Network (SAN)

is used in conjunction with other area networking models and consists of several storage devices on the network. Companies can use these storage devices to provide a rugged solution to provide fault tolerance and high availability to applications.

Metropolitan area Network

is used to connect different local area networks. These LANs are situated in the same metropolitan area, such as a company with several office buildings. These buildings will have a LAN, which needs to connect to the other buildings' LAN, thus forming a Metropolitan area network (MAN).

Peer-to-Peer Networking Model

is usually created in a home or small office environment where two or more devices are connected. It can be used to share files and devices, for example, printers. There are centralized authentication servers involved, and it can normally be done over a wi-fi connection without the need for expensive networking equipment.

Which of the following network topology is most expensive to implement and maintain?

mesh

Which of the following network topology is most commonly used in a network infrastructure?

star

Wide Area Network (WAN)

wide area networks span different geographical areas and connect different networks. For example, a company will have offices located in the United Kingdom and the United States, and a WAN will be used to connect these offices over the public internet.