Network Management Assignment - Network Components and Protocols

This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of network management concepts. It begins by differentiating between hubs and switches, explaining their functionalities and roles in a network. The assignment then addresses the identification of device manufacturers based on MAC addresses. Furthermore, it analyzes the advantages of wired networks, particularly emphasizing their security and reliability compared to wireless alternatives. The solution also compares WEP and WPA security protocols, highlighting the enhanced security of WPA. Finally, the assignment explores the industry's preference for UTP cables over STP cables, citing cost-effectiveness and durability as key factors. The document includes references to relevant academic sources to support the analysis.

Running head: NETWORK MANAGEMENT
Network Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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NETWORK MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
Answer 1..............................................................................................................................2
Answer 2..............................................................................................................................2
Answer 3..............................................................................................................................2
Answer 4..............................................................................................................................3
Answer 5..............................................................................................................................3
References............................................................................................................................4

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Answer 1
A hub is a device of networking that allows a person to connect multiple devices or PCs
to a single network. Hubs are generally based on Ethernet and USB connections.
A switch on the other hand is a control unit that is generally used to route data. It is
considered more intelligent than a hub as it deals with gathering information about the data
packets in order to route it to the network in which it is intended to. Major modern Ethernet
Local Area Network generally operates on switches.
Answer 2
a) The device manufacturer of 00-C0-4F-49-68-AB is Dell Computer Corporation
b) The device manufacturer of 00-0A-27-B7-3E-F8 is Apple, USA
c) The device manufacturer of 00-04-76-B6-9D-06 is 3 Com Corporation, USA
d) The device manufacturer of 00-00-36-69-42-27 is ATARI Corporation, USA.
Answer 3
The major advantage of a wired network is security. This is because the wired networks
are interconnected by plugging in a cable from one device to another and therefore, unauthorized
access to the network becomes difficult.
Another advantage of wired network is reliability. Wired network brings a constant
download and upload speed, which are generally unaffected by the external environment. This is
possible as the wired networks do not experience fluctuations in speed or interferences, as they

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NETWORK MANAGEMENT
do not travel through air unlike the wireless device (Perrig & Tygar, 2012). Therefore,
fluctuation in speed, which is common in wireless network is absent in wired network.
Furthermore, it is very easy to set up and easy to use with no need to scan for the wireless
devices. People can simple plug in the wired connection with their devices and it is ready to go.
Answer 4
Between WEP and WPA, networking devices with WPA is more secure than WEP. This
is because, the Wireless Encryption Protocol or WEP provides very weak security and therefore,
WPA or Wi-Fi Protected Access easily supersedes it. WEP uses a 64 or 128-bit static master key
while WPA uses 256-bit keys and stronger authentication (Kumkar et al., 2012).
Answer 5
The UTP or Unshielded twisted pair cable is preferred by the industry, as it is less
expensive while installed in a larger amount. Furthermore, STP cables are bigger than that of
UTP cables and therefore it is more expensive (Oliviero & Woodward, 2014). STP cables are
more fragile in comparison to UTP cables and therefore, the UTP cables are more preferred in
the industry.

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References
Kumkar, V., Tiwari, A., Tiwari, P., Gupta, A., & Shrawne, S. (2012). Vulnerabilities of Wireless
Security protocols (WEP and WPA2). International Journal of Advanced Research in
Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET), 1(2), pp-34.
Oliviero, A., & Woodward, B. (2014). Cabling: the complete guide to copper and fiber-optic
networking. John Wiley & Sons.
Perrig, A., & Tygar, J. D. (2012). Secure Broadcast Communication: In Wired and Wireless
Networks. Springer Science & Business Media.