Computer Networks

A primary benefit of the star topology is its fault tolerance. If one cable or device fails, the central hub keeps the rest of the network operational, unlike bus or ring topologies where a single point of failure can crash the entire system.

LAN is the standard acronym for Local Area Network, which refers to a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, or office building.

A Wide Area Network (WAN) covers a broad area and is typically constructed by connecting multiple Local Area Networks (LANs) together over long distances using various communication links.

Routers operate at the Network Layer (Layer 3) because they make forwarding decisions based on logical IP addresses, unlike hubs or switches which operate at lower layers.

The primary function of the Network Layer is to determine the best physical path for data to reach its destination, a process known as routing.

Multiplexing is the process of combining multiple signals into one. The process of delivering received segments to the correct application process at the receiver is called demultiplexing.

Flow control is a mechanism used in networking to ensure that a sender does not transmit data faster than the receiver can process it, preventing buffer overflow.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is designed for high reliability and error checking, which makes it unsuitable for applications where transmission time is critical and minor data loss is acceptable (like streaming).

Data is broken down into smaller segments or packets to be transmitted across a network. A single file is rarely sent as one large block due to MTU limitations.

The primary function of the Network/Internet layer is to determine the best path for data to travel from the source to the destination, which is the process of routing.

A network hop occurs when a packet is forwarded by a router from one network segment to another on its path toward the destination.

A Layer 3 switch combines routing and switching capabilities. Traditionally, a router handles routing between networks, and a switch moves frames within a network. The question has a typo - should be 'Bridge, Router and Switch'.

AppleTalk was a proprietary suite of networking protocols developed by Apple, designed to allow Macintosh computers to connect to each other in a local network without requiring a dedicated server or complex configuration.

IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange) was a network layer protocol used primarily by Novell NetWare operating systems to interconnect clients and servers.

The Session layer (Layer 5) manages sessions between applications, including establishing, maintaining, and synchronizing the dialogue between communicating systems.