A group of interconnected computing devices that can communicate and share resources with each other. Networks range from small local area networks (LANs) connecting devices in one building to wide area networks (WANs) spanning cities or countries, up to the global internet.
A network is like a postal system for computers — it connects them so they can send and receive information.
Showing a random 20 of 50 problems.
Example 1
medium
Two students on the same Wi-Fi want to play a 2-player game over the LAN. Client-server or peer-to-peer is simpler to set up?
Example 2
medium
A home network: laptop, phone, and printer all connect to one router. Name the topology.Home star topology — laptop, phone, and printer all connect to one router
Example 3
easy
A school computer room of 25 PCs connected to one switch is best classified as a what?
Example 4
easy
Do networks require physical cables? Yes or no.
Example 5
medium
Classify by scope: (a) office building network, (b) city-wide university campuses linked. Which is the LAN?
Example 6
hard
In a hybrid topology, a campus core uses a mesh among 4 routers, and each router connects 25 devices in a star. Total core mesh links?Hybrid topology — mesh core (4 routers, 6 links) + star edges for hosts
Example 7
easy
What is the main purpose of a network in one phrase?
Example 8
hard
Compare ring vs star for a small office of 6 devices where one device often goes offline. Which topology is more tolerant?
Example 9
easy
True or false: the World Wide Web and the internet are the same thing.
Example 10
easy
A coffee shop Wi-Fi works but no web page loads. Which is more likely working: the LAN or the WAN uplink?
Example 11
hard
A full mesh of n devices uses n(n−1)/2 links. For n=20, how many links, and how many does the star use?
Example 12
medium
Explain the difference between a LAN and a WAN. Give an example of each.
Example 13
easy
In a star topology, all devices connect to one central point. What is that central device usually called?Star topology — all devices connect to one central hub (or switch)
Example 14
hard
Why is the internet best modeled as a network-of-networks rather than one giant LAN?
Example 15
challenge
Design a network for a 200-device school: 10 classrooms, library, and admin office, with internet uplink. Sketch topology and classify.
Example 16
challenge
Why does adding devices to a full-mesh network become impractical quickly? Use the link count for n devices.
Example 17
challenge
Compare a single-hub star and a full mesh on this trade-off: which is cheaper to wire, and which survives a central failure?Star: 6 devices, 6 links — cheap but hub is a single point of failure
Example 18
medium
In a star topology, if the hub fails, how many devices can still communicate via the hub?Star with failed hub — 0 devices can communicate via the hub
Example 19
medium
A small office wants reliable sharing among 8 devices and tight budget. Recommend a topology and explain why.
Example 20
medium
You are on Wi-Fi but cannot load any website. The Wi-Fi icon shows connected. Is the LAN link or the internet uplink more likely down?