Understanding Switches

1. Define, compare and contrast hubs and switches.

A HUB just plits the Ethernet signal like a cable splitter and only one computer can talk at a time.The Hub is on layer 1 of the OSI model. A Switch is allows multiple computers to be able to talk at the same time and it is located in the Data link layer in the OSI model.

2. On which OSI model layer, do switches reside ?

They reside on the data link layer.

3. On which OSI model layer, do hubs reside ?

The physical layer

4. What information does the first half of the MAC address contain?

It contains the ID number of the adapter manufacturer.

5. What information does the last half of the MAC address contain?

The last half represents the serial number assigned to the adapter by the manufacturer,

6. What type of access methodology does Ethernet utilize?

The Ethernet uses the Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection.

7. Explain the difference between managed and unmanaged switches.

Managed switches are completely automatic and unmanaged switches can be configured.

8. Define and compare full and half duplex.

A full duplex can send and receive messages at the same time. A half duplex can either receive or transmit traffic

9. What is a VLAN? What does it do?

VLANs are separate Lans on the same switch

10. What is QOS? Briefly describe an environment where it would be useful?

Quality of service allows you to prioritize network packets so that real time communication is not interrupted by file transfers.

11. What is the spanning tree protocol? What is the main problem that it prevents?

It is a network protocol that helps prevent network loops.