2 Network Devices and Their Roles Free Online FlashCards

What does a typical Ethernet switch do with a frame?

A switch connects devices on the same LAN and forwards frames toward the port associated with the destination MAC address.

How does a router forward packets between IP networks?

A router connects separate IP networks. It checks a packet’s destination IP address and uses a routing table to choose an outgoing interface or next hop.

What is a default gateway used for?

A default gateway is the device a host typically sends traffic to when the destination is on another network; it is usually a router on the local LAN.

What role does a wireless access point serve?

A wireless access point lets Wi-Fi devices join a network by bridging wireless clients onto a wired LAN. It does not necessarily route between networks.

What is a modem’s role in an Internet connection?

A modem connects customer equipment to an ISP’s access network by converting signals used on the service link into a form the customer’s network equipment can use, and vice versa.

What does a firewall do to network traffic?

A firewall applies security rules to network traffic, allowing, blocking, or sometimes inspecting it according to policy.

How does a hub handle incoming Ethernet signals?

A hub repeats incoming Ethernet signals to all its ports rather than selectively forwarding frames to a particular port.

How does traffic to a local printer differ from traffic to an external website?

For a printer on the same LAN, a switch can forward the laptop’s traffic locally. For a website on another network, the laptop sends traffic to its default gateway for routing onward.

Why can one home network device have several networking roles?

A consumer device may combine a router, switch, Wi-Fi access point, firewall, and services such as DHCP. Identify its roles by what it does, not by its name or appearance.

What device commonly provides the customer connection for fiber service?

For fiber service, an optical network terminal (ONT) commonly provides the customer-premises connection to the ISP’s access network.

What does a network bridge do?

A bridge connects or separates LAN segments and forwards frames based on link-layer information.

How does a repeater or extender extend connectivity?

A repeater or extender regenerates or retransmits a signal to extend a link or wireless coverage; it does not make routing decisions.