Small Office, Big Problems
This device connects a home or small office network to the internet and usually performs routing and NAT.
What is a router?
This connector is used for standard wired Ethernet connections on PCs, switches, and routers.
What is RJ-45?
This cloud model uses shared infrastructure offered to many customers over the internet.
What is a public cloud?
This component is often called the brain of the computer because it processes instructions.
What is the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
This tool terminates an Ethernet cable by attaching an RJ-45 modular connector to the end.
What is a crimper?
This service automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on the network.
What is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)?
This connector is commonly used for TVs and carries digital video and audio in one cable.
What is HDMI?
Running multiple operating systems on one physical computer by abstracting hardware resources is called this.
What is virtualization?
This component stores data long-term even when the power is turned off.
What is storage drive, hard drive, solid-state drive, SSD, HDD? (Would accept any)
You use this to remove the outer jacket from UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cable without damaging the inner pairs.
What is a cable stripper?
This device provides wireless access to an existing wired network.
What is a wireless access point (WAP)?
This coaxial connector is commonly used for cable internet and cable TV connections. (HINT: it's a letter of the alphabet)
What is an F-type connector?
In cloud computing, this service model provides rented virtual servers, storage, and networking resources.
What is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?
This expansion card is often added when a computer needs stronger graphics performance than onboard graphics can provide.
What is a GPU, graphics card, or video card? (Would accept any)
This two-piece tool helps you trace a specific cable through a bundle or to the correct wall jack.
What is a toner probe (tone and probe)?
This feature allows many private devices on a LAN to share one public IP address.
What is Network Address Translation (NAT)?
This internal cable standard commonly connects SSDs and hard drives to the motherboard.
What is SATA?
This cloud service model delivers a fully usable application through a web browser, like webmail or online office software.
What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?
This small motherboard component keeps the real-time clock running while the PC is unplugged.
What is the CMOS battery?
This tool inserts individual wire pairs down into IDC (insulation displacement connector) terminals on a patch panel or keystone jack.
What is a punchdown tool?
This device should be placed between the internet and the internal network to filter traffic based on rules like ports, protocols, and IP addresses.
What is a firewall?
This interface looks exactly like USB-C, but usually offers higher speeds and is commonly used for docking stations and external displays.
What is Thunderbolt?
This hypervisor type runs directly on the physical hardware (no host operating system).
What is Type 1 (bare-metal)?
This high-speed motherboard expansion standard uses “lanes” (x1, x4, x8, x16) and is commonly used for GPUs and NVMe SSDs.
What is PCI Express (PCIe)?
This device verifies pinout/continuity and can detect faults like opens, shorts, split pairs, or miswires in an Ethernet cable.
What is a cable tester?