1What are computer communications?
The process in which two or more computers or devices transfer data, instructions, and information
2What is the role of a sender device?
To initiate the instruction to transmit data, instructions, or information
3What is the role of a receiving device?
To accept the transmission of data, instructions, or information
4What is a communications device?
Hardware capable of transmitting data, instructions, and information between a sending and a receiving device
5What is a communications channel?
The media on which data, instructions, or information travel
6What do communications software programs help users do?
Establish connections, manage data transmission, and provide user communication interfaces
7What is a hub?
A central device that connects cables in a network and transmits data via broadcast messages
8What is a router?
A device that connects computers and forwards data to the correct destination using the fastest path, sometimes with a built-in firewall
9What is a similarity between hubs, switches, and routers?
They connect devices, are part of network infrastructure, and transmit data
10What is a key difference between hubs and switches?
Hubs use broadcast messages, while switches transmit using MAC addresses within a network
11What is bandwidth?
The amount of data that can travel over a communications channel
12What units measure bandwidth?
Bps, KBps, Mbps, Gbps
13What is twisted-pair cable used for?
Telephone systems and network cabling
14What is coaxial cable commonly used for?
Cable television wiring
15What is a key advantage of fiber-optic cable?
It carries more data at faster speeds, with less interference, and is thinner and lighter
16When is wireless transmission media used?
When installing cables is inconvenient, impractical, or impossible
17What does broadcast radio do?
Distributes radio signals over long and short distances
18What is cellular radio?
A form of broadcast radio used for mobile communications
19What does a communications satellite do?
Receives microwave signals, amplifies them, and broadcasts them back to earth stations
20What is a microwave station?
An earth-based reflective dish requiring straight-line transmission with no obstructions
21What is a network?
A collection of computers and devices connected via communications devices and transmission media
22What is a LAN?
A network in a limited geographical area like a home or office
23What is a MAN?
A network that connects LANs in a city or town
24What is a WAN?
A network covering a large geographic area; the Internet is the largest WAN
25What is an intranet?
An internal network using Internet technologies, accessible to employees
26What is an extranet?
Allows customers or suppliers to access part of a company’s intranet
27What is the Internet?
A global network of computers that exchange information
28What is a client/server network?
A network where one or more computers act as servers and others (clients) access them
29What is a peer-to-peer network?
A simple network with fewer than 10 computers where each peer has equal capability
30What is Internet P2P?
Users connect to each other's hard disks and exchange files directly via WAN
31What is a bus network?
A network where all devices connect to a central cable (bus)
32What is a ring network?
A network with a closed loop where data travels in one direction from device to device
33What is a disadvantage of ring topology?
A single point of failure and one-way data transmission
34What is a star network?
A network where all devices connect to a central hub
35What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
A pervasive web where physical objects have unique identities and connect via the Internet
36What is a benefit of IoT in communication?
It supports Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication
37How does IoT improve automation and control?
Machines communicate and operate without human intervention for faster output
38How does IoT improve information availability?
It provides more data for better decision-making
39How does IoT support monitoring?
Enables collection of previously hard-to-gather information
40How does IoT save time?
Machine-to-machine interaction speeds processes
41How does IoT save money?
Optimizes energy and resources, reducing bottlenecks and damages
42How does IoT improve quality of life?
Provides comfort, convenience, and better management of daily activities