44 Lecture - Communication Medium and Network Topologies

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44 Lecture

CS501

Midterm & Final Term Short Notes

Communication Medium and Network Topologies

Communication medium refers to the physical medium or channel used to transmit information between devices on a network. Common communication mediums include copper wires, fiber optics, and wireless signals. Network topologies, on the other hand


Important Mcq's
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
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  1. Which of the following is not a communication medium? a) Copper wires b) Fiber optics c) Wireless signals d) LAN Answer: d) LAN Which communication medium provides the highest transmission speeds? a) Copper wires b) Fiber optics c) Wireless signals d) Bluetooth Answer: b) Fiber optics Which network topology is most commonly used in home networks? a) Star b) Bus c) Ring d) Mesh Answer: a) Star In which network topology, each device is connected to a central hub or switch? a) Star b) Bus c) Ring d) Mesh Answer: a) Star In which network topology, a single break in the communication channel can bring down the entire network? a) Star b) Bus c) Ring d) Mesh Answer: c) Ring Which network topology is best suited for large networks with heavy traffic? a) Star b) Bus c) Ring d) Mesh Answer: d) Mesh Which communication medium is most immune to interference and noise? a) Copper wires b) Fiber optics c) Wireless signals d) Bluetooth Answer: b) Fiber optics In which network topology, data travels in a single direction only? a) Star b) Bus c) Ring d) Mesh Answer: b) Bus Which network topology is most fault-tolerant? a) Star b) Bus c) Ring d) Mesh Answer: d) Mesh Which communication medium is most commonly used for wireless networks? a) Copper wires b) Fiber optics c) Wireless signals d) Bluetooth Answer: c) Wireless signals


Subjective Short Notes
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

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  1. What is a communication medium in networking? Answer: A communication medium is a physical medium or channel used to transmit data or information between devices on a network, such as copper wires, fiber optics, or wireless signals. What is a network topology? Answer: A network topology refers to the physical or logical arrangement of devices and communication channels on a network, such as star, bus, ring, or mesh. What are the advantages of a star network topology? Answer: The advantages of a star network topology include easy troubleshooting, centralized management, and a high level of reliability. What are the disadvantages of a bus network topology? Answer: The disadvantages of a bus network topology include limited scalability, lower bandwidth, and a single point of failure. What is the difference between half-duplex and full-duplex communication? Answer: Half-duplex communication allows for transmission in only one direction at a time, while full-duplex communication allows for simultaneous transmission in both directions. What is a repeater in networking? Answer: A repeater is a device used to regenerate and amplify signals in a network, allowing them to travel further distances without degradation. What is the maximum distance limitation for copper wires in networking? Answer: The maximum distance limitation for copper wires in networking is 100 meters. What is the maximum distance limitation for fiber optics in networking? Answer: The maximum distance limitation for fiber optics in networking is several kilometers. What is a wireless access point (WAP)? Answer: A wireless access point (WAP) is a device that enables wireless communication between devices on a network, such as a router or gateway. What is a hybrid network topology? Answer: A hybrid network topology is a combination of two or more different topologies, such as a star-bus topology or a mesh-ring topology.

Communication medium and network topologies are two important concepts in computer networking. A communication medium is the physical medium that is used to transmit data from one device to another. Copper wires, fiber optics, and wireless signals are common communication mediums. Copper wires are widely used in local area networks (LANs) and offer reliable and secure transmission, but have a limited transmission range. Fiber optics are ideal for long-distance transmission because they offer high bandwidth and are immune to electromagnetic interference. Wireless signals are used in wireless networks and provide a high degree of mobility and flexibility. Network topologies refer to the arrangement of devices and communication channels on a network. The four main types of network topologies are star, bus, ring, and mesh. In a star topology, each device is connected to a central hub or switch, which acts as a traffic controller for data transmitted between devices. A bus topology uses a single communication channel that all devices share. A ring topology connects all devices in a loop or ring, and data is transmitted in a circular manner. In a mesh topology, each device is connected to every other device on the network, creating multiple paths for data transmission. Each topology has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific application and network requirements. For example, a star topology is ideal for small networks with limited devices, while a mesh topology is better suited for large networks with heavy traffic. A bus topology is easy to set up and maintain but can be prone to collisions and congestion. A ring topology provides better performance but can be expensive and difficult to manage. Understanding communication medium and network topologies is essential for designing, implementing, and maintaining effective computer networks. It is important to select the appropriate communication medium and topology based on the specific needs of the network to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

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