IC3 Chapter 13 Networking and Internet Basics

Satellite

A data transmitter/receiver in geosynchronous orbit with the Earth.

Repeater

A device that receives and retransmits a network signal.

Switch

A gathering point for the computers in a LAN to connect with to participate in the network.

Internet

A global packet-switched network created cooperatively by multiple companies, governments, and standards organizations.

Network Adapter

A hardware component that enables a computer to connect to a network.

Virtual Private Networking (VPN)

A method of creating a secure, private communication tunnel using a public communications channel such as the Internet.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A network adapter that is on an expansion card, rather than built into the computer's motherboard. Sometimes used informally to refer to any network adapter.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

A network formed when devices are connected to an individual computer.

Category 5e Cable

A type of UTP cable used in 1000BaseT Ethernet networking.

Category 3 Cable

A type of UTP cable used in telephone systems.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

A type of twisted-pair cable that does not have an outer sheath that protects against external EMI.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

A type of twisted-pair cable that has an outer sheath that protects against external EMI.

Media Access Control (MAC) Address

A unique hardware address for a network adapter.

Wireless Access Point (WAP)

A wireless switch.

Default Gateway

The port on a router that connects to external networks.

TCP/IP

The protocol suite (set of rules) that defines how data will move on the Internet and on most other modern networks.

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

The worldwide network of circuit-switched telephone lines.

Pair

To connect a Bluetooth input or output device to a computer.

Tether

To connect a smartphone to a computer so that the computer can use the smartphone's Internet access.

1000BaseT

A type of Ethernet that transfers data at up to 1000 Mbps over twisted-pair cables.

Smartphone

A cellular phone that includes computer applications and Internet access capability.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

A company that maintains a direct connection to the Internet and leases access to it to individuals and companies.

Client

A computer used by an individual to run applications.

Router

A connection box for Ethernet networks that physically joins the devices in the network (wired) or provides wireless connectivity (wireless), and enables a connection to an outside network such as the Internet.

Gateway

A connector box that enables you to connect two dissimilar networks.

Bridge

A connector box that enables you to connect two networks of similar types.

RJ-45

A connector used on UTP cables designed for Ethernet networking.

RJ-11

A connector used on one-line UTP telephone cables.

RJ-14

A connector used on two-line UTP telephone cables.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A network that connects devices housed in the same physical location.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A network that connects devices within the area of a city or town.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network

A network that consists only of clients (no servers).

Client/Server Network

A network that contains one or more servers.

Circuit-Switched Network

A network that creates a point-to-point connection between locations that remains open for the duration of the communication.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A network that spans at least two or more offices may have a LAN at each site but use a WAN to connect them all to the same network.

Packet-Switched Network

A network that transfers data by breaking it up into separately transferred packets.

Hub

A primitive version of a switch that lacks the capability to read packet addresses and route them to the appropriate port.

Protocol Stack

A related group of protocols-for example, TCP/IP.

Protocol

A rule or custom that governs how something is done. In a computer context, it refers to a standard for transferring data.

Microwave Communication System

A secure, point-to-point wireless networking technology that requires a line of sight between the two points.

Extranet

A special network set up by a business for its customers, staff, and business partners to access from outside the office network; may be used to share marketing assets and other non-sensitive items.

Intranet

A special network that only staff within the company network can access. For security reasons, an intranet can only be accessed onsite and not remotely.

Bluetooth

An inexpensive short-range networking technology used for computer-to-device connections such as computer-to-printer or phone-to-headset.

Twisted-Pair Cable

Cable that transfers data via pairs of copper wires that are twisted around each other to reduce electromagnetic interference.

Infrared

Older type of wireless communication that used light waves to pass simple information between nearby devices.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

The corruption of data as it is passing through a cable due to the magnetic field generated by a nearby cable.

Ethernet

The current dominate standard for local area networking devices.

Wi-Fi

Wireless Ethernet. A means of connecting computers and other devices wirelessly. Another name for it is IEEE 802.11, its technical standard.