Just a brief, concise explanation needed.

What is the difference between the Network Edge and the Network Core?

Understand the functionality and purpose of some of the different networking hardware we discussed in class (i.e. Routers, Switches, Hubs, Wireless APs, Bridges, Endpoints, etc). Be able to identify such devices given a network architectural diagram.

Describe three types of guided, physical media. Which one is best for which kind of situation and why? Describe two types of unguided, wireless media. Which of these is best for which kind of situation and why?

Understand different cable media types?

What is the difference between a cross-over and straight-through UTP/STP cable?

What is the difference between circuit switching and packet switching?

Explain the difference between TDM and FDM. Be able to understand the drawbacks to each method?. What is the purpose of multiplexing in the first place?

How does the TCP/IP model compare to the OSI 7 layer model? List the 7 layers of the OSI model and describe each layer (especially know the difference between Layers 1 4, and Layer 7.

Understand why some applications are sensitive to networking phenomena such as latency, jitter, packet loss.

Understand the difference between signal attenuation, interference, and cross talk

What are the four causes of packet delay? Explain in detail the four causes of delay and use a diagram of a router with packets and a circuit to do this. Are there other places that we can find delay in networks, too?

Understand the difference between bandwidth and throughput of a communications channel. How should network engineers measure throughput when attempting to obtain a baseline measurement of network utilization over a given period of time.

Why does network congestion occur?

Why do packets get dropped in networks?

What is Wireshark?

How do different forms of physical media operate?

Be able to troubleshoot a networking scenario based upon common network tool responses (i.e. ping, netstat, ipconfig/ifconfig, nslookup, etc)

If given a TCP or HTTP Wireshark screen capture or picture, be able to answer some questions about that in terms of the labs that you have done.

What situations would it be advantageous to use older telecommunications technologies like Dial-Up or DSL over newer technologies like broadband cable or Fiber Optic?

What are the differences between single-mode and multi-mode fiber? What business situations would necessitate the need for either?

What constitutes a network socket?

Understand the purpose of the various networking devices we discussed (Switches, Hubs, Routers, APs, Endpoints). What is their purpose in networking? How do they work? (i.e. Switches connect devices together over a single local area network (LAN), routers pass network traffic between separate LANs)