Lesson 1—Introduction to Networking

TRUE/FALSE

	1.	A wide area network (WAN) transmits data over a larger geographical area than a local area network (LAN).

ANS:	T	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	26

	2.	A carrier is an organization that has been granted special privileges from the government to build communications connections along public right-of-ways.

ANS:	T	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	26

	3.	A storage-area network (SAN) uses high-speed network links between the servers and special storage devices that are used for data backups.

ANS:	T	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	25

	4.	Ten million bits per second is the same as 1 gigabit (Gbps).

ANS:	F	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	24

	5.	Server-based networks are much less expensive to build and operate than peer-to-peer networks.

ANS:	F	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	22

	6.	The maximum number of computers that can function together in a peer-to-peer network is about 12.

ANS:	T	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	16

	7.	The overall environment through which the communication takes place is known as the context.

ANS:	T	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	12

	8.	Computer programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation packages are all utility software.

ANS:	F	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	6

	9.	Groupware refers to programs that help people work together collectively even if they are located remotely from each other.

ANS:	T	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	9

	10.	Many word processors have a review feature that functions in a manner similar to collaborative writing groupware.

ANS:	T	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	11

MODIFIED TRUE/FALSE

	1.	The pathway through which the source sends the message is known as the channel. _________________________

ANS:	T			PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate
REF:	12

	2.	The context can involve the physical environment as well as the cultural setting. __________________________

ANS:	T			PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard
REF:	12

	3.	All of the latest versions of the common operating systems used today have server-based networking capabilities built in. _________________________

ANS:	F, peer-to-peer

PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	15

	4.	Peer-to-peer networks that function over the Internet are called P2P networks. _________________________

ANS:	T			PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate
REF:	18

	5.	Server-based networks are more expensive to build and operate than peer-to-peer networks. _________________________

ANS:	T			PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy
REF:	22

MULTIPLE CHOICE

	1.	The purpose of a computer network can best be summarized by which word?
a.	sharing	c.	peer	
b.	data	d.	server	

ANS:	A	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	4

	2.	A personal computer (PC) is also known as a _____.
a.	minicomputer	c.	microcomputer	
b.	mainframe computer	d.	maxicomputer	

ANS:	C	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	4

	3.	Copying the work done on one computer to a disk so it could be given to another computer user was known as _____.
a.	disk service	c.	digital replacement	
b.	peer-to-peer	d.	sneakernet	

ANS:	D	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	4

	4.	Each item is a limitation of using a non-networked computer except _____.
a.	duplicate software costs	c.	inaccessible data	
b.	additional maintenance	d.	sharing hardware	

ANS:	D	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	4

	5.	Each is an example of application software except _____.
a.	word processor	c.	spreadsheet	
b.	file compression	d.	database	

ANS:	B	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	6

	6.	A type of software that is made up of programs that provide additional features to the user is called _____.
a.	application	c.	utility	
b.	resource	d.	presentation	

ANS:	C	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	6

	7.	Each hardware item can be shared on a computer network except a _____.
a.	printer	c.	scanner	
b.	DVD drive	d.	mouse	

ANS:	D	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	8

	8.	A special category of software that assists in communication over a computer network is called _____.
a.	jointware	
b.	Process Communication Software (PCS)	
c.	groupware	
d.	utilityware	

ANS:	C	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	9

	9.	Software that can automatically schedule meetings when everyone is available to attend is called _____.
a.	electronic calendar	c.	time resource	
b.	schedule master	d.	e-mail	

ANS:	A	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	9

	10.	Software that allows different users to add their own revisions, suggestions, and comments to a single common document is called _____.
a.	suggestware	c.	reviewer software	
b.	redline software	d.	collaborative writing software	

ANS:	D	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	11

	11.	The _____ is the pathway through which the source sends a message.
a.	noise	c.	context	
b.	feedback	d.	channel	

ANS:	D	PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	12

	12.	The number of elements that are essential to any type of communication are _____.
a.	five	c.	seven	
b.	six	d.	eight	

ANS:	C	PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	12

	13.	The communication that takes place between devices on a computer network is known as _____.
a.	telecommunications	c.	channel	
b.	peer communications	d.	context	

ANS:	A	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	13

	14.	In a _____ network, there is no single high-powered computer that controls and manages the network.
a.	server-based	c.	NOS	
b.	hub	d.	peer-to-peer	

ANS:	D	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	14

	15.	A peer-to-peer network is also called a(n) _____.
a.	workgroup	c.	WAN	
b.	access	d.	client	

ANS:	A	PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	14

	16.	Each operating system has peer-to-peer capabilities built in except _____.
a.	Disk Operating System (DOS)	c.	Microsoft Windows	
b.	Apple Macintosh	d.	Linux	

ANS:	A	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	15

	17.	Each is a disadvantage of a peer-to-peer network except _____.
a.	the maximum number of devices is 12	
b.	different passwords must be used for accessing different resources	
c.	no centralized management	
d.	low cost	

ANS:	D	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	16

	18.	Peer-to-peer networks that function over the Internet and allow users to exchange music, videos, and data are called _____ networks.
a.	server-based	c.	Kizaam	
b.	remote	d.	P2P	

ANS:	D	PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	18

	19.	A network that is controlled by at least one special high-powered computer is called a _____ network.
a.	server-based	c.	local	
b.	peer-to-peer	d.	workgroup	

ANS:	A	PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	18

	20.	Each is a type of server that can be found on a server-based network except _____.
a.	application server	c.	mail server	
b.	print and file server	d.	keystop server	

ANS:	D	PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	21

COMPLETION

	1.	Sending software updates across the network is known as software that is ____________________ to the users.

ANS:	pushed

PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	11

	2.	______________________________ software allows different users to add their own revisions, suggestions, and comments to a single common document.

ANS:	Collaborative writing

PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	11

	3.	Barriers to communication are known as ____________________.

ANS:	noise

PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	12

	4.	One of the most common groupware applications used across computer networks is ____________________.

ANS:	
electronic mail
e-mail

PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	9

	5.	________________________ is a two-way transmission of voice, video, or data.

ANS:	Telecommunications

PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	13

	6.	In a(n) _________________________ network, there is no single high-powered computer that controls and manages the network.

ANS:	peer-to-peer

PTS:	1	DIF:	Easy	REF:	14

	7.	In a server-based computer network, the individual computers on the network are called ____________________.

ANS:	clients

PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	18

	8.	______________________________ allows users to hold a “virtual” meeting while never leaving their desk.

ANS:	Video conferencing

PTS:	1	DIF:	Moderate	REF:	11

	9.	Most WANs operate between ____________________ bits per second up to 5 million bits per second.

ANS:	56,000

PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	27

	10.	Because a WAN is not located on a customer’s premises, a WAN service must be purchased from a(n) ____________________.

ANS:	carrier

PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	26

ESSAY

	1.	List and explain three differences between a WAN and a LAN.

ANS:	
A WAN is intended to transmit data between the buildings or sites that a business may own. Because a WAN is not located on a customer’s premises, a WAN service must be purchased from a carrier. Another difference between a LAN and a WAN is that a WAN is managed by the carrier instead of by the user. With a LAN, the owner of the computers and the network equipment manages the network itself. However, a WAN is actually a service that is purchased from the carrier. The carrier is responsible for configuring, managing, and upgrading the network equipment. The final difference is that WANs have a high cost but operate at a low speed compared to a LAN. Most WANs operate between 56,000 bits per second (kilobits or Kbps) to 5 Mbps and may cost tens of thousands of dollars each month to lease from a carrier.

PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	26-27

	2.	Explain how a storage-area network (SAN) functions.

ANS:	
A storage-area network (SAN) uses high-speed network links between the servers and special storage devices that are used for data backups. Because the link between the servers and the storage devices is separate from the LAN itself, backing up the server does not slow down the entire network. Instead, the servers can be backed up at any time without requiring the users to be off the network, like that of a standard backup.

PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	25

	3.	Explain the difference between an application server and a print and file server.

ANS:	
Application servers are similar to print and file servers in that they provide user access to software and data. However, with a print and file server, the server sends the data to the client to be processed. With an application server, the processing is performed on the server itself. With the print and file server, the entire data file must be sent to the client across the network. This creates additional network traffic, and the less-powerful client takes longer to generate the results. With an application server, both the database application software and all of the data are stored on the server. When a client sends a request to the application server, the more powerful server processes the request and returns only the results, which helps to limit network traffic. Networks that use application servers are sometimes known as client-server networks.

PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	20-21

	4.	Explain how the lack of centralized management in a peer-to-peer network can cause problems.

ANS:	
A disadvantage to a peer-to-peer network is that there is no centralized management of the network.  How each user configures his or her computer can impact other network users. If the user on one computer decides to turn off the printer attached to their computer, then no other network user can access it.  If a user saves employee data in a different location on the hard drive, other network users will not be able to access that data.  In addition, because the data and software are located on several different computers, each user is responsible for making regular backup copies of data and software. If regular backups are not performed by all users on the network, a hardware problem that causes valuable data to be lost can be a disaster.

PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	17

	5.	How does a computer network improve data integrity?

ANS:	
The integrity of data is maintained when it is stored in only one place. For example, if an employee’s pay rate were to change, it is necessary to make only one change to the shared network data instead of attempting to change the data on each user’s computer. When updates must be made to multiple computers in many different offices, one of the computers could accidentally be missed and thus there would be different pay rates listed for that employee. Placing data in one location on the network helps to preserve the integrity of the data so that all users can have the latest data available.

PTS:	1	DIF:	Hard	REF:	7