CertiGuide to Network+  9  Chapter 0000:  Network Basics

IX  Broadband vs. Baseband Networks 1 XI  Test 0000:  Success Questions

This opening chapter introduced the reasons why networks are popular. Resource sharing improves productivity and reduces costs.

The different geographical types of networks, LAN’s, MAN’s and WAN’s were described. You discovered that it is possible to create a VLAN (virtual LAN) across a MAN or WAN, because a VLAN is a logical collection of devices rather than a physical or geographic grouping.

The administrative differences between peer-to-peer and the client/server model revealed that while a network connection must be available to effectively use a client/server network model, it reduces administrative effort.

The characteristics of public networks, based on sharing connectivity among multiple organizations, and private networks, in which each organization has its own private network links, were outlined.

Virtual private networks (VPN’s) provide the security of private networks with the cost savings of public networks.

The scopes of internets, intranets and extranets were described. Internets are networks of networks. A company’s intranet is the internal network over which the staff shares information and resources. A company’s extranet is the network over which it shares information with various business partners on a need to know basis.

Network topologies were explained. You understand that a mesh topology is more reliable, albeit at a higher cost of installation. It was made clear that a bus network is simple, however prone to losing the entire network when a single failure occurs. The concept of the ring network was explained. Finally you learned that the most popular cable topology for LAN’s is the star network. The star network is popular because it provides good damage control in the event of network failures, at a reasonable cost.

IX  Broadband vs. Baseband Networks 1 XI  Test 0000:  Success Questions