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What are bits in network communications?
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Bits are the smallest unit of digital information, represented as either 1 or 0.
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How are bits transmitted over a network using electricity?
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High voltage represents a 1, and low voltage represents a 0.
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What is the function of a Network Interface Card (NIC)?
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A NIC allows a computer to connect to a network, using copper cables (electrical signals) or fiber optic cables (light pulses).
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What are the two types of connections used by a NIC?
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Copper twisted pair (Ethernet) and fiber optic.
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What is a built-in NIC?
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A network adapter built into modern motherboards that supports 1000BASE-T Ethernet over copper cables.
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What is an external NIC?
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An additional NIC installed to support different Ethernet types, such as fiber optic, or multiple ports.
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What is port bonding?
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Combining multiple NIC ports to increase connection speed, such as bonding four Gigabit Ethernet ports to create a 4 Gbps link.
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What is a frame in networking?
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A frame is a regular unit of data used in network communications.
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What is the purpose of a MAC address?
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A MAC address uniquely identifies a network interface, allowing communication between devices by identifying the sender and receiver.
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What is the structure of a MAC address?
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A MAC address is 48 bits long (6 bytes) and represented as 12 hexadecimal digits.
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What is a patch panel in office cabling?
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A patch panel connects computers to a wall port, which is then connected to the network switch via structured cabling.
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What does an Insulation Displacement Connector (IDC) do?
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It allows wires to be inserted without stripping insulation, making the connection process more efficient.
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What is the function of RJ45 ports on a patch panel?
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These ports are used to connect network devices to a switch via patch cords.
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Why is labeling important when installing a patch panel?
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Clear labels ensure you know which patch panel port corresponds to which wall port, making network management and troubleshooting easier.
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What is a hub in networking?
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A hub is a legacy device that connects multiple computers in a star topology by repeating signals across all connected ports.
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What is a collision domain?
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A network segment where multiple devices share bandwidth, causing collisions when they send data simultaneously.
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What is half-duplex communication in a hub-based network?
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Devices can either send or receive data at one time but not both.
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Why have hubs been replaced by switches?
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Hubs cause performance issues due to collisions and do not support Gigabit Ethernet, while switches provide better speed and efficiency.
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What is a switch in networking?
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A switch is a network device that forwards data frames only to the specific port that matches the destination MAC address, reducing unnecessary traffic.
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How does a switch learn MAC addresses?
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A switch records which port is associated with each MAC address when it receives a frame from a device.
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What is full-duplex communication in a switch-based network?
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Devices can send and receive data simultaneously, improving performance.
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What are the two types of switches?
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Unmanaged switches and managed switches.
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What is the difference between an unmanaged switch and a managed switch?
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An unmanaged switch requires no configuration, while a managed switch offers advanced configuration options for security and performance.