Computer Networks

A switch operates like a multiport bridge because it learns MAC addresses and forwards frames only to the specific port where the destination device is connected, unlike a hub which broadcasts to all ports. Switches operate at Layer 2 and provide dedicated bandwidth to each port.

A switch provides concentrated connectivity by connecting multiple devices while making transmission efficient through MAC address learning and selective forwarding. Unlike hubs that broadcast to all ports, switches send data only to the destination port, reducing collisions and improving performance.

Fourth Generation (4G) mobile networks natively support IPv6 to accommodate the vast number of mobile devices requiring unique IP addresses. IPv4 addresses are exhausted and cannot scale to meet 4G device density, while IPv5 was an experimental real-time stream protocol that was never deployed commercially.

At 10 Mbps with 20% overhead, effective bandwidth is 8 Mbps. Transferring 1 GB (approximately 8000 Mb) takes 8000/8 = 1000 seconds, or about 16.7 minutes. Option C (15 minutes) is the closest approximation among the choices.

Network bandwidth fundamentally measures throughput - the amount of data transmitted per unit of time across the network. Response time measures latency, number in the system is a queuing metric, and utilization measures capacity usage. Bandwidth is specifically about data transfer capacity.

Passive data refers to stored information like emails that are read but not modified in real-time. Active data involves ongoing updates or user interaction during viewing.

In Performance Center architecture, the database server stores results and configuration data from multiple sources. The User site stores test results, the Utility server manages authentication and licensing data, the Administration site handles configuration information, and the Controller machine sends runtime test data. Load generators communicate with the Controller but don't write directly to the database, and the File server is for storage management rather than database communication.

HBA (Host Bus Adapter) is the physical component that connects a host computer's I/O bus (like PCIe) to the Fibre Channel network. It enables the host to communicate with storage devices. Fibre cables connect devices, switches route traffic, and storage arrays store data.

HBA (Host Bus Adapter) connects the host computer's I/O bus (like PCI) to the Fibre Channel network, enabling communication with storage. Fibre cable and switches are network components, while storage array is the destination.

Star topology features a central hub that manages all network communications. Each device connects to this central node, which routes all information between connected devices, providing a single point of control.

Mesh topology provides superior redundancy by establishing multiple connection paths between nodes. If any single link or device fails, traffic can reroute through alternative pathways, maintaining continuous communication.

NAS primarily enables server consolidation through file-level data sharing across networks, while SAN focuses on storage consolidation using block-level protocols. NAS typically uses TCP/IP, whereas SAN employs Fibre Channel.

Cellular topology is particularly susceptible to security violations due to its distributed nature and use of public airwaves for transmission. The broadcast-based communication and reliance on multiple base stations create numerous potential entry points for attackers. Linear, star, and ring topologies have more centralized control and typically wired connections which are easier to secure.

A Local Area Network (LAN) is confined to a small geographic area like a single building or campus. It connects devices within a limited area using private networking equipment. WANs span large geographic areas, MANs cover metropolitan regions, and WLANs are wireless LANs.