CompTIA’s Network+ certification Study Guide part 6 is a globally-recognized, vendor neutral exam that has helped over 235,000 IT professionals reach further and higher in their careers. The 2009 Network+ exam (N10-004) is a major update with more focus on security and wireless aspects of networking. Our new study guide has been updated accordingly with focus on network, systems, and WAN security and complete coverage of today’s wireless networking standards. | 36 CHAPTER 1 Network Fundamentals SUMMARY OF EXAM OBJECTIVES In this chapter we discussed the fundamentals of networking including what defines a network and how networks came to be. By providing an overview of these elements we have provided a basic foundation for other topics covered throughout this book. We also looked at the various network types topologies and models available for a network. A network can use a centralized or distributed model and be designed as a client server model or peer-to-peer. In creating this network it will use one or more topologies which is the physical layout of network components. The topologies we covered in this chapter were bus star ring mesh and wireless. Finally the geographic scope of this network will determine what type of network you have. LANs are small networks within a limited area of a few miles MANs are within a metropolitan area and WANs interconnect LANs over a wide area. These characteristics define your network and will affect a wide variety of elements including security media and other features that make up your network as a whole. EXAM OBJECTIVES FAST TRACK What Is a Network A computer network exists when two or more machines are connected together thereby allowing them to share data equipment and other resources. An internetwork is when two or more networks are connected together as in the case of the Internet. A network protocol is a set of rules used to control transmission and reception of data on a networked computer. TCP IP is the default protocol used by the Internet and many current OSes such as Microsoft Windows and Novell NetWare. Logical Network Topologies A centralized network model has resources and administration that are centrally located while a decentralized network model has resources and administration that are distributed throughout the network. Exam Objectives Fast Track 37 A peer-to-peer network model has computers on a network acting as equals and acting as both clients and servers of .
