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Study guide · 1.6

Explain fundamental networking concepts

A network links devices so they can share data, and the internet is the global network of networks. This guide covers how devices connect, the types of network and connection, the equipment behind them, how to tell if you are online and simple steps to fix a connection.

A study feature written by ExamDragon, not part of the real exam. Each heading is one of Certiport's skills for this objective.

1.6.1Describe network connectivity concepts

  • A network is two or more devices linked to share data and resources such as files, printers and an internet connection.
  • Connections can be wired (Ethernet cable) or wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data).
  • Every device on a network has an address; an IP address identifies it on the network, a MAC address identifies its network hardware.
  • Bandwidth is how much data a connection can carry per second, often measured in Mbps or Gbps.
  • To join a Wi-Fi network you choose its name (SSID) and enter its password if it is secured.

Example: At home your laptop, phone, smart TV and printer all join the same Wi-Fi network, so you can print from your phone and stream to the TV.

1.6.2Describe online connectivity concepts

  • The internet is a worldwide network of networks; the World Wide Web is one service that runs on it, alongside email, messaging and streaming.
  • An Internet Service Provider (ISP) sells you access to the internet.
  • Ways to get online include fibre, cable, DSL, mobile data (4G, 5G), satellite and public Wi-Fi hotspots.
  • DNS translates names such as example.com into IP addresses that computers use.
  • Cloud services are apps and storage you use over the internet rather than on your own device.
  • A mobile hotspot (tethering) shares a phone's mobile data with other devices.

Example: When your home fibre is down, you turn on the hotspot on your phone and connect your laptop to it to finish an online form.

1.6.3Compare and contrast network and connection types

  • A LAN (local area network) covers a small area such as a home, office or school.
  • A WAN (wide area network) covers large distances; the internet is the largest WAN.
  • A PAN (personal area network) links devices around one person, often over Bluetooth.
  • Wired connections are usually faster and more stable; wireless connections are more convenient and mobile.
  • Wi-Fi range and speed drop with distance and with walls; mobile data depends on signal strength and your data plan.
  • Public Wi-Fi is convenient but less secure than a trusted private network.

Example: A gaming PC is plugged into the router with an Ethernet cable for a steady connection, while phones in the same house use Wi-Fi, and a smartwatch talks to the phone over Bluetooth (a PAN).

1.6.4Describe networking infrastructure

  • A modem connects your home or office to the ISP's line (fibre, cable or phone line).
  • A router directs traffic between your local network and the internet, and gives each device a local IP address.
  • A wireless access point provides Wi-Fi; home routers usually combine router, switch, access point and sometimes modem in one box.
  • A switch connects several wired devices inside a LAN.
  • Servers are computers that provide services, such as websites, email or file storage, to other devices.
  • A firewall filters network traffic to block unwanted connections.

Example: In a small office, the ISP's line enters a modem, which feeds a router; a switch connects the desk computers by cable and access points provide Wi-Fi across the floor.

1.6.5Identify whether a device is connected

  • Look for the network icon: on Windows it is in the taskbar, on macOS in the menu bar, on phones in the status bar at the top.
  • Wi-Fi bars or mobile signal bars show signal strength; a cross, exclamation mark or 'No internet' message means there is a problem.
  • Airplane mode turns off wireless radios; if its icon shows, the device may not connect unless Wi-Fi has been switched back on.
  • Network settings show which network you are on and whether it has internet access.
  • Being connected to Wi-Fi does not always mean you have internet; the router itself may have lost its connection.
  • A quick test is to open a website you know works.

Example: Your phone shows full Wi-Fi bars but pages will not load, and Settings says 'Connected, no internet', so you know the problem is the router's link, not your phone.

1.6.6Describe basic network troubleshooting techniques

  • Check the basics first: Wi-Fi switched on, airplane mode off, cables firmly plugged in.
  • Turn Wi-Fi off and on, or forget the network and reconnect with the correct password.
  • Restart the device, then restart the router and modem (unplug, wait, plug back in).
  • Move closer to the router or remove obstacles if the signal is weak.
  • Test with another device or website to see whether the problem is your device, the network or one site.
  • Use the built-in network troubleshooter and, if nothing works, contact your ISP or IT support.

Example: Your laptop cannot get online but your phone can on the same Wi-Fi, so you restart the laptop's Wi-Fi, then run the Windows network troubleshooter, which fixes the problem.

Key terms

Router
Device that connects a local network to the internet and directs traffic.
Modem
Device that connects your premises to the ISP's line.
LAN
A network covering a small area such as a home or office.
ISP
A company that provides internet access.
IP address
A number that identifies a device on a network.
Bandwidth
How much data a connection can carry each second.

Easy to confuse

  • Treating the internet and the World Wide Web as the same thing; the web is one service on the internet.
  • Thinking Wi-Fi and the internet are the same; Wi-Fi is the local wireless link, the internet is reached through the router.
  • Mixing up the modem (link to the ISP) and the router (directs traffic in your network).
  • Assuming full Wi-Fi bars guarantee internet access.

After this guide: You should be able to describe network types and equipment, check whether a device is online, and follow basic steps to restore a connection.