Physical Layer in Networking

Front

What is the purpose of the Physical Layer in networking?

Back

The Physical Layer accepts a complete frame from the Data Link Layer and encodes it as a series of signals that are transmitted to the local media, transporting bits across the network media.

Front

What are the main characteristics of the Physical Layer?

Back

The Physical Layer is implemented in hardware and addresses three functional areas: Physical Components, Encoding, and Signaling.

Front

What is bandwidth in the context of the Physical Layer?

Back

Bandwidth refers to the capacity at which a medium can carry data, influenced by physical media properties, current technologies, and the laws of physics.

Front

What is the difference between latency and throughput?

Back

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another, while throughput measures the transfer of bits across the media over a given period.

Front

What are the limitations of copper cabling?

Back

Copper cabling is susceptible to attenuation, electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), and crosstalk.

Front

What is UTP cabling and its key characteristics?

Back

Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cabling is the most common networking media, terminated with RJ-45 connectors, and features twisted pairs to protect signals from interference.

Front

What are the advantages of fiber-optic cabling over copper cabling?

Back

Fiber-optic cabling transmits data over longer distances at higher bandwidth, is less susceptible to attenuation, and is completely immune to EMI/RFI.

Front

What are the two types of fiber media?

Back

Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) and Multimode Fiber (MMF). SMF is used for long-distance applications, while MMF is used for shorter distances.

Front

What are the main uses of fiber-optic cabling?

Back

Fiber-optic cabling is used in enterprise networks, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), long-haul networks, and submarine cable networks.

Front

What are the standards for UTP cabling established by TIA/EIA?

Back

The TIA/EIA-568 standardizes cable types, lengths, connectors, cable termination, and testing methods.