Chapter 1. Introduction to Networking

Objectives

1.1 Recognize the following logical or physical network topologies given a diagram, schematic, or description:

• Star

• Bus

• Mesh

• Ring

• Wireless

1.2 Specify the main features of 802.2 (Logical Link Control), 802.3 (Ethernet), 802.5 (token ring), 802.11 (wireless), and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) networking technologies, including

• Speed

• Access method (CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance) and CSMA/CD(Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection))

• Topology

• Media

1.7 Specify the general characteristics (for example, carrier speed, frequency, transmission type, and topology) of the following wireless technologies:

• 802.11 (Frequency hopping spread spectrum)

• 802.11x (Direct sequence spread spectrum)

• Infrared

• Bluetooth

1.8 Identify factors that affect the range and speed of wireless service (for example, interference, antenna type, and environmental factors)

What you need to know

• Understand the differences between local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and personal area networks (PANs)

• Identify the characteristics between peer-to-peer and client/server networking

• Identify the characteristics of various network topologies

• Understand the characteristics of the following IEEE standards: 802.2, 802.3, 802.5, and 802.11

• Identify the characteristics of Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)

• Understand the impact of interference on Wireless communications