A hierarchical topology is a multi-layered network architecture where subnetworks are connected to each other in a hierarchical manner, allowing for efficient routing and scalability.

A router's primary function is to determine the best path for data packets to travel through a network, ensuring efficient and reliable data delivery.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a connection-oriented protocol that establishes a reliable connection between two devices on a network, ensuring the reliable delivery of data packets.

A firewall's primary purpose is to protect a network from unauthorized access by monitoring and filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Shortest Path Routing is a network design principle that aims to find the shortest path between two nodes in a network, reducing latency and improving network performance.

A network switch's primary function is to forward data packets between devices connected to the same LAN, enabling efficient data transmission within the network.

Load Balancing is a network design principle that distributes network traffic load across multiple paths, improving network performance and preventing congestion.

A NAT device's primary function is to translate private IP addresses used within a network to public IP addresses used on the internet, enabling devices on the network to access the internet.

Fault Tolerance is a network design principle that aims to ensure that a network can continue to operate even if some of its components fail, by implementing redundant components and backup systems.

A proxy server's primary function is to act as an intermediary between a client and a server, filtering and controlling the flow of data between them, providing security and improved performance.

Traffic Shaping is a network design principle that aims to control and manage network traffic to optimize network performance, by prioritizing certain types of traffic and limiting the bandwidth allocated to others.

A network IDS's primary function is to monitor network traffic for suspicious activities and potential security threats, alerting network administrators to potential security breaches.

Network Segmentation is a network design principle that aims to minimize the impact of network failures by dividing the network into smaller, isolated segments, preventing the spread of failures from one segment to another.

A NMS's primary function is to monitor and manage network devices and resources, providing real-time visibility into network performance, identifying potential issues, and enabling proactive network management.

Hop Count Minimization is a network design principle that aims to optimize network performance by reducing the number of hops a data packet takes to reach its destination, improving latency and overall network efficiency.