The CTDP Network Certification Reference

The CTDP Network Certification Reference

This is a reference for those interested in learning and referencing information relevant to obtaining a professional certification. This reference is for the networking side and does not cover operating systems or programs that are used on them any more than is necessary. This material is intended as a reference, not specifically as a learning tool. It repeats some of the information in the networking guide with the purpose of being a single reference as an aid for a network certification examination.

Simple communication model

1. Sender
2. Medium
3. Message
4. Receiver

Basic Terms

• Architecture - The method that is used to transmit packets on a network. Sometimes the term architecture includes topology. An example is ethernet.
• Backbone - Main cable used to connect computers on a network.
• Client - This computer requests resources for its use from a computer that provides the resource (a server).
• Media - The hardware method used to connect computers over a network. The three main types are copper cable, fiber optic cable, and wireless.
• Network Operating System - Typically used to run computers that act as servers, but may be used on various types of computers today.
• Peer - A computer that can act as both a client and a server.
• Protocol - Sets of standards that define all operations within a network. There are various protocols that operate at various levels of the OSI network model such as transport protocols include TCP, SPX.
• Server - For the most part it provides resources on the network for other computers to use.
• Topology - The shape of the physical connection of a network with regard to repeaters and networked computers. The three main types are ring, bus, and star.

Network Types

1. peer-to-peer - Computers can provide resources (act as server) or access resources from other computers (act as client). Used for 2 to 10 computers
2. Server based - Allow for a central control over network resources.
• Single Server - Used for 10 to 50 users where it is wise to add a server around 25 or 30 users.
• Multiserver - Used for 50 to 250 users.
• Multiserver high speed backbone used for 250 to 1000 users.
• Enterprise network has over 1000 users.