Week 1 Chapter 1: Questions 7, 14 & 17

Chapter 1: Questions 7, 14 & 17

7.) How do local area networks (LANs) differ from metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), and backbone networks (BNs)?

Answer: A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of microcomputers located in the same general area. A LAN covers a clearly defined small area, such as a one floor or work area, single building, or a group of buildings. LANs often us shared circuits, where all computers must take turns using the same circuit. LANs are connected to a backbone network (BN), which is a larger central network connecting several LANs, other BNs, MANs, and WANs. Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) connects LANS & BNs located in different areas to each other and to WANs. MANs typically span between three and 30 miles. hese networks provide moderately fast transmission rates but can prove costly to install and operate over long distances. Wide area networks (WANs) connect BNs and most organizations do not build their own WANs by laying cable, building microwave towers, or sending up satellites. Backbone network (BN), a larger, central network connecting several LANs, other BNs, MANs, and WANs. BNs typically span from hundreds of feet to several miles and provide very high speed data transmission, commonly 100 to 1,000 Mbps. These types of networks do practically the same thing, provide networking capabilities, but at different speeds along with ranges.

14.) Explain how a message is transmitted from one computer to another using layers.

Answer: Initially the message is created by the user by utilizing a web browser (i.e. www. Aol.com, www.google.com). Next step with the transport layer, with this layer it uses the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). The TCP is responsible for breaking down larger files into smaller packets and for opening a connection to the server for the transfer of said larger packets. Next, with the Network Layer on the Internet uses a protocol called IP (Internet Protocol), which...