Network+ Study Guide

Know how to identify different network topologies.  A single cable with computers attached to it is a bus. A central hub with cables radiating out to computers is a star. A crisscross, redundant connection to all computers is a mesh. An outer loop connecting all computers is a ring.

Know the characteristics of the 802.3 Ethernet standards.  The IEEE 802.3 standards define CSMA/CD networks, also known as Ethernet. See Table 1.3 for common Ethernet cable types.

Be able to recognize different media connectors and describe their uses.  You should know that RJ-11 is used to connect a phone jack to a telephone; RJ-45 is used for 10BaseT Ethernet connections; BNC is used for 10Base2 Ethernet connections; AUI, a DB-15 connector/PC game connector, is used for 10Base5 connections from vampire tap to NIC; ST, the most popular fiber-optic connector, is a barrel connector with a locking ring; and SC, another common fiber connector, is a square-ended connector with a latching mechanism.

Be able to explain the basic purpose and function of many different network devices.  You should understand how each network device (including hubs, switches, routers, bridges, and wireless access points) functions.

Be able to define the characteristics of network attached storage.  Essentially, network attached storage is a traditional server shrunk down into a “black box.” It is usually administered with a web browser and it’s not upgradeable, but it is much cheaper than a traditional server.

Describe the characteristics of wireless networks and how they differ from traditional wired networks.  Wireless networks based on the IEEE 802.11 standard typically use radio frequency (RF) transmission methods and transmit through the air instead of through a wire or cable. In addition, they use special NICs and wireless access points to facilitate communication.