Computer Network Q & A

Here are 10 common questions and answers about computer networks:

1. What is a computer network?

• Answer: A computer network is a group of interconnected computers that communicate with each other and share resources like files, printers, and internet connections. These connections can be established through wired or wireless media.

1. What are the different types of computer networks?

• Answer: The main types of computer networks are:
  • Local Area Network (LAN): Covers a small geographic area like a single building or a campus.
  • Wide Area Network (WAN): Covers a large geographic area, often a country or continent.
  • Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): Covers a city or a large campus.
  • Personal Area Network (PAN): Covers a very small area, typically within a single room.

1. What is the difference between a hub, a switch, and a router?

• Answer:
  • Hub: A basic networking device that connects multiple computers in a network. It broadcasts data to all connected devices.
  • Switch: More advanced than a hub, it connects multiple devices in a network and uses MAC addresses to forward data only to the intended recipient.
  • Router: Connects different networks together and routes data between them using IP addresses.

1. What is an IP address?

• Answer: An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique identifier assigned to each device connected to a network. It allows devices to locate and communicate with each other. There are two types: IPv4 and IPv6.

1. What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

• Answer:
  • IPv4: Uses 32-bit addresses, allowing for approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses.
  • IPv6: Uses 128-bit addresses, allowing for an exponentially larger number of unique addresses (approximately 340 undecillion).

1. What is a subnet mask?

• Answer: A subnet mask is a 32-bit number used in IP networks to divide an IP address into network and host portions. It helps determine which part of the IP address is the network address and which part is the host address.

1. What is DHCP and why is it used?

• Answer: DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network management protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on a network. It simplifies the process of IP address assignment and ensures that each device has a unique IP address.

1. What is DNS and how does it work?

• Answer: DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. It functions like a phone book for the internet.

1. What is a VPN and what are its benefits?

• Answer: A VPN (Virtual Private Network) extends a private network across a public network, enabling users to send and receive data as if their devices were directly connected to the private network. Benefits include enhanced security, privacy, and remote access to network resources.

1. What is the OSI model and what are its layers?
   • Answer: The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework used to understand and implement network protocols. It divides the networking process into seven layers:
   1. Physical Layer: Manages the physical connection between devices.
   2. Data Link Layer: Handles error detection and correction from the physical layer.
   3. Network Layer: Manages data routing and forwarding.
   4. Transport Layer: Ensures complete data transfer.
   5. Session Layer: Manages sessions or connections between applications.
   6. Presentation Layer: Translates data between the application layer and the network.
   7. Application Layer: Provides network services directly to user applications.

These questions and answers cover fundamental concepts and components of computer networks, providing a solid foundation for understanding how networks operate.