Local Area Networks

1. Chapter 5: Local Area Networks
5.1 Learning Objective Checkpoints
1. What are PANs, LANs, MANs, and WANs?
PANs are the connections of devices within a range of about 30 feet without the use of wires or cables. LANs are
networks that connect personalcomputers within a very limited geographical area. MANs are public high-speed
networks that are capable of transmitting data within a range of 50 miles. WANs usually cover larger geographical
areas and contain several smaller networks.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of LANs?
Advantages include: enabling people to work together, reduces costs,increases productivity,can be convenient,and
provides access to a wide arrange of services and peripheral devices. Disadvantages include: malfunctions limit data
access,are vulnerable to unauthorized access and malicious code.
3. Which devices are included in a typical LAN?
A network interface card, any networked peripheral (printers, scanners,etc), a network attached storage,a network
device, and a router.
5. Why do most networks transmit digital rather than analog signals?
Basically, digital signals are easier to monitor and detect if there is any corrupted signals.
6. How does data find its way over a network to a specified destination?
The packet of data travels has an address of its destination device and it specifies the format for address within the
network. Once it reaches a network node, a routing device examines the address and sends the packet to the
destination.
7. What are the characteristics of Ethernet that make it a popular network technology?
It is easy to understand,implement, manage, and maintain. It is available from a large array of vendors making
prices low. They must meet certain standards.It is compatible with a lot of Wi-Fi technology.
8. How are data signals sent wirelessly?
Electromagnetic signals that connect two devices togetherwithout the use of wires. It sends the data back and forth.
9. What are the major differences between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi connects to a LAN while Bluetooth does not.
11. What sort of security is available for wireless routers?

2. Change the default password and encryption.
14. What are the threats to LAN security?
All devices with Wi-Fi capability can connect to it. File sharing. Lots of network trouble shooting occurs.Viruses,
theft and equipment failures.
15. How does encryption work?
It basically scrambles the data transmitted between wireless devices and then unscrambles the data only on devices
that have a valid encryption key. It can also secure all credit card numbers and personalinformation that is
transferred from shoppers’computers to e-commerce sites. It can make files unusable if the devices containing the
data is lost or compromised. Maintains privacy. Basically encryption is converting plain text to ciphertext.
1.2 Beyond –the-Book Exercise
In this BTB exercise, you will be using a Windows PC/laptop of your choice to find out information on that
device. Using the command prompt (cmd) run an ipconfig /all command and answer the following
questions (NOTE: make sure you are using a PC connected to the internet or you won’t see this stuff!!)
1) What is the IP address (IPv4) of the Local Area Network connection (Ethernet adapter)?
192.168.1.142
2) What is the MAC address (physical address) of the Local Area Network adapter?
28-92-4A-4B-A4-49
3) When was the lease obtained for the IP address?
Thursday,March 19, 2015 3:12:47 P.M.
4) When does the lease expire?
Friday, March 20, 2015 6:00:21 P.M.
5) Are there any DHCP servers reported? If yes, what it the IP of the DHCP server?
Yes
192.168.1.1
6) What are the IP addresses of the DNS servers (if you see any)?
208.180.42.68
208.180.42.100