Unit 3 Short Answer
When deciding antenna types, why might the use of an omnidirectional antenna be inadvisable?
If you had an access point that was toward the edge of a building, it wouldn't make sense to broadcast a signal with equal strengths in all directions, you would want to point the signal into the building to the people using the network.
Radiation patterns can be used to classify antennas into what two basic categories?
Radiation patters describe the strength of electromagnetic energy from an antenna. This information can break an antenna into unidirectional and omnidirectional antennas.
Describe the shapes and polishes of SMF ferrules to reduce back reflection?
-APC: Curved surface but ends are placed at an angle to reflect signal loss in a different direction -UPC: Rounded surface allows for better connections with older connectors
What is a fiber distribution panel and how is it used?
A Fiber distribution panel is usually a case that connects different fiber cables. Namely, it can be a conversion point between MMF and SMF cables.
What are some of the different types of wireless topologies that can be created?
Ad Hoc- A small number of nodes transmit directly to each other. Infrastructure - One intervening node accepts connections and retransmits them. Mesh- Several access points work as peer devices on a network to provide more fault tolerance.
What is the biggest limiting factor on fiber optical cable length
Attenuation, which is the loss of a signal's strength as it travels away from its source.
Why should an access point not always utilize all the power it has for broadcasting wireless signals?
Because you only want the signal to reach the people you want using it, not anybody who walks by. Pointing the strength in a specific direction also helps keep the best signal going where you want it.
Noise can degrade or distort a signal on a network, what are some causes of noise?
EMI - From power lines, flourescent lights, RFI, etc. Crosstalk - When signals travelling down one wire infringes on the signal from another.
Why should the WPS pin feature be avoided if possible?
It can be hacked using a brute force attack.
What is the difference between SMF and MMF, how do they compare?
The main difference is the number of light rays transmitted, and that MMF will reflect light rays to send more. SMF will travel further distances because attenuation is less of a problem. MMF is less expensive.
What is a hidden node problem, and how can it be mitigated?
When nodes on a network are physically so far apart they cannot communicate to avoid collisions. This can be voided with the RTS/CTS (Request to Send/Clear to Send) protocol. If the signals is received and gets the clear signal, it begins to send data.
How does configuration of wireless clients for wireless access in an enterprise environment differ from normal setup?
Wireless clients require the user to install an agent to gain access to the network (the process known as onboarding), after the agent's time on the network the agent must be removed as well (offboarding).
