Network Fundamentals Flashcards

Which network device operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward frames?

Answer: Switch

A switch operates at Layer 2 (Data Link) and maintains a MAC address table to intelligently forward frames only to the appropriate destination port.

What type of transmission sends data to all devices on a network segment simultaneously?

Answer: Broadcast

A broadcast transmission sends a single packet to all devices within the broadcast domain, using the destination address 255.255.255.255 for IPv4.

In subnetting, what is the purpose of the subnet mask?

Answer: To distinguish the network portion from the host portion of an IP address

The subnet mask identifies which bits of an IP address represent the network and which represent the host, enabling routers to determine if a destination is local or remote.

Which wireless security protocol is considered the most secure for modern Wi-Fi networks?

Answer: WPA3

WPA3 is the most current and secure Wi-Fi security protocol, offering stronger encryption and protection against brute-force attacks compared to its predecessors.

What is the function of the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)?

Answer: Maps IP addresses to MAC addresses

ARP resolves a known IPv4 address to the corresponding MAC address so that data frames can be delivered on the local network segment.

Which port number is used by HTTPS for secure web traffic?

Answer: 443

HTTPS uses TCP port 443 to provide encrypted communication between web browsers and servers using TLS/SSL.

What is the primary advantage of fiber optic cable over copper cable for network infrastructure?

Answer: Immunity to electromagnetic interference and greater transmission distances

Fiber optic cable transmits data as light pulses, making it immune to EMI/RFI and capable of carrying signals over much longer distances than copper with minimal attenuation.