S.2 Dion Training - Network+ (N10-009)

Section 2 of Dion Training Flash Cards

Clients

Devices that users use to access the network.

Laptops, Tablets, Cell Phone, etc.

Servers

A system that provides services, data, or resources to clients on a network.

Hubs

A basic Layer 1 device that broadcasts all data to every connected device.

Switches

A Layer 2 device that forwards frames using MAC addresses.

Wireless Access Points (WAPs)

Allows wireless devices to join a wired network using radio frequency signals.

Routers

Layer 3 device that forwards packets between networks using IP addresses.

Firewalls

Filters network traffic based on security rules to allow or block connections.

Load Balancers

Distribute traffic across multiple servers to improve performance and reliability.

Proxy Servers

Intermediary that forwards client requests and can provide filtering, caching, or anonymity.

Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)

Monitors traffic and actively blocks malicious activity in real time.

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)

Monitors traffic and alerts on suspicious or malicious activity.

Controllers

Centralized systems that manage and configure multiple network devices (often WAPs).

Network-attached Storage (NAS) Devices

Storage devices that provide file‑level access over the network.

Storage Area Networks (SANs)

High‑speed network that provides block‑level storage to servers.

Media

The physical or wireless method used to transmit data (copper, fiber, radio waves).

Wide Area Network (WAN) Links

Connections that link networks over long distances (leased lines, MPLS, fiber, etc.).

Client/Server Model

A network model where clients request services and servers provide them.

Peer‑to‑Peer (P2P) Model

A network model where devices share resources directly without a central server.

PAN (Personal Area Network)

A small network for devices close to one person (Bluetooth, wearables).

LAN (Local Area Network)

A network covering a small geographic area like a home or office.

CAN (Campus Area Network)

A network connecting multiple LANs within a campus or corporate area.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A network spanning a city or large campus.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A network covering large geographic distances, connecting multiple sites.

Physical Topology

The actual physical layout of cables and devices.

Logical Topology

How data flows through the network, regardless of physical layout.

Point‑to‑Point Topology

A direct connection between two devices.

Ring Topology

Devices connected in a circular path; data travels in a loop.

Bus Topology

All devices share a single communication line.

Star Topology

All devices connect to a central device (usually a switch).

Hub‑and‑Spoke Topology

A WAN design where branch sites connect to a central site.

Mesh Topology

Devices interconnect with multiple redundant paths.

Full Mesh

Every device connects to every other device.

Partial Mesh

Some devices have multiple connections, but not all.

Infrastructure Mode

Wireless devices communicate through a WAP.

Ad Hoc Mode

Wireless devices communicate directly without a WAP.

Wireless Mesh

Multiple wireless nodes interconnect to extend coverage.

Datacenter

A facility that houses servers, storage, and networking equipment.

Core Layer (Three‑Tiered Hierarchy)

High‑speed backbone that moves large amounts of traffic.

Distribution/Aggregation Layer (Three‑Tiered Hierarchy)

Applies policies, routing, and connects access to core.

Access/Edge Layer (Three‑Tiered Hierarchy)

Where end devices connect to the network.

Collapsed Core

A two‑tier design combining the core and distribution layers.

Spine and Leaf Architecture

A modern datacenter design where every leaf switch connects to every spine switch.

North‑South Traffic

Traffic moving between clients and servers (in/out of the datacenter).

East‑West Traffic

Traffic moving between servers inside the datacenter.