Intro to Computing: Ch. 4 Networking and Immersive Reality

What is a local area network?

(LAN) is a collection of computers that are connected in a small geographic area such as an office, college campus, or in your home.

What is virtual reality?

(VR) is the term used to describe a three-dimensional, computer generated environment which can be explored and interacted with by a person (www.vrs.org.uk)

What is a wide area network?

(WAN) is created when two or more geographically dispersed local area networks are connected over the Internet.

How do cell phones work?

A cell phone is essentially a two-way radio, consisting of a radio transmitter and a radio receiver. When you chat with your friend on your cell phone, your phone converts your voice into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted via radio waves to the nearest cell tower.

What is a Wi-F signal?

A term that is generally thought to mean wireless fidelity, allows for the transmission of Internet signals using radio waves, multiple devices can use the same Wi-Fi signal, and Wi-Fi sources are often called hotpots.

What is a data plan?

Allow cellular service customers to connect mobile devices to the Internet.

What is electronic data interchange?

Allows for the electronic communication of business oriented transactions and information between people and organizations.

What is BitTorrent?

Allows members to share large files over the Internet.This protocol is commonly called a peer-to-peer file sharing protocol.

What is Ethernet cable?

Also called computer cable, is specifically designed to connect computers and digital devices.

What is a cellular provider?

Also called wireless service providers or mobile network operators, sell cellular service to subscribers.

What is a mobile switching center?

Also known as a mobile switching center or MSC server or Mobile Telephone Switching Office, controls all the transmissions between cellular phone towers and their base transceiver stations.

What is a coaxial cable?

Also known as television cable or simply "coax", is comprised of a single copper wire with a braided wire shield, wrapped in insulation.

What is WPA2?

An upgraded version of WPA that is the most secure service, using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and other improvements. (Is the current Wi-Fi security encryption standard.)

What is a dual-band router?

Are Wi-Fi capable routers that use both shorter and higher frequency signals to transmit data.

What is a microwave signal?

Are another transmission medium for internet signals & are used to transmit signals over extremely long distances, including to and from satellites.

What are 3G, 4G, and LTE?

Are descriptions of networks speeds. "G" stands for generation. "LTE" stands for long term evolution.

What is a server-based network?

Are designed to have individual computers and devices connected to the network interact through a central server computer.

What is augmented reality?

As the integration of digital information with the user's environment in real time. Unlike virtual reality, which creates a totally artificial environment, augmented reality uses the existing environment and overlays new information on top of it. (NFL yellow imaginary first down line)

What is a prepaid phone?

Can offer an inexpensive means of having a phone for calling and texting.

What is a client/server network?

Client, is a computer that requests resources such as a web page, spreadsheet, image file, or services from another computer on a network. Server is a computer that provides resources and services to client computers that request them.

What is a switch?

Connect devices that are within the same network.

What is a virtual private network?

Creates a secure connection between two computers. (Allow for encrypted communications using the Internet as the pathway for data transmission and communication.)

What is a base transceiver station?

Creates the cells in a cellular system by broadcasting low powered microwave signals through the antenna.

What is transmission media?

Describes the means by which the internet signal is carried. (Refers to the technology used for transmitting signals from one loop device to another.)

How do ISPs assign IP addresses to customers?

Determined by the network on which it is hosted.

What is an SSID?

Every Wi-Fi signal is recognized by its Service set identifier (SSID). The router transmits this SSID every few seconds so that someone roaming for a Wi-Fi signal can find it.

How are IP addresses assigned to ISPs?

Every device connected to the internet is assigned an IP address when you connect. When you connect with your phone or computer or chosen device, your ISP assigns you an IP Address so you can browse, shop, and navigate the internet.

What is needed to set up a wireless network?

First, you'll need an Internet signal. This comes from your Internet Service Provider. Next you'll need a modem. This too comes from your ISP. Finally, you'll need a router. Most DSL and cable providers, along with all cellular internet service providers, include an integrated modem/router device with their service

What are the uses of virtual reality?

Has a wide spread use in the entertainment industry, most commonly seen in video games. The use of head-mounted displays and other types of technology such as data gloves, controllers and sensors, allow gamers to fully immerse themselves in the game they are playing.

What is a modem?

Is a contraction for modulation-demodulation &changes the incoming modulated signals into digital signals, and changes outgoing digital signals into modulated signals.

What is packet switching?

Is a method for transferring information that differs from circuit switching because data transfer doesn't rely on a dedicated physical path.

What is an intranet?

Is a network that is controlled by an organization and is accessible only by members of the organization and others who have proper authorization.

What is a firewall?

Is a security system separating two networks or even computers on the same network.

What is a broadband?

Is a term that describes internet service that is always connected.

What is a cellular signal?

Is the fastest growing Internet service as more people access the Internet with their phones than with any other device.

What is a router?

Is the most critical part of your home network &connects two networks, for example, your home network to your Internet Service Provider's network, or the Internet itself.

What is electronic funds transfer?

Is the technology behind electronic or online banking. (using computers and various technologies in place of checks and other paper transactions to transfer funds from one account to another.)

What is circuit switching?

Is used by the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and creates a dedicated physical path to send and receive information.

How can home network speeds be measured?

Just navigate to one of several free speed check sites such as' speedtest.net or testmy.net and follow the site's instructions.

What is a media access control address?

Known as MAC addresses, allow switches to distinguish between different devices in the same network.

What are the parts of an IP address?

Network Portion, (Sometimes Sub-network Portion), and Host Portion.

How does a smartphone connect to the Internet?

One method is to purchase a data plan from a cellular provider. The other method is to connect the smartphone to a Wi-Fi signal.

What are the challenges of implementing augmented reality?

One of the biggest problems is designing hardware that can produce the processing power required to handle the enormous amounts of data input and visual output required to create a successful Augmented Reality system.

What is twisted pair wiring?

Or common telephone wire, is comprised of a pair of thin copper wires within an insulated cover.

What is roaming?

Provides a means for you to use other cellular networks besides your own. (Using service outside your coverage area.)

What is remote access?

Refers to allowing authorized users to access an organizations local area network (LAN) from a remote site.

What is a bandwidth?

Refers to the volume of data that can be carried by a transmission medium each second, varies by the capability of the transmission medium, & usually measured in megabits per second.

What is tethering?

Simply means connecting one digital device to another digital device.

What are the major cellular providers?

T-Moble, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon.

What is the file transfer protocol?

The file transfer protocol is used for transmitting large files from one server to another over the Internet.

What are the uses of augmented reality?

The military uses AR in their heads-up-displays. This allows soldiers to have critical information right in their field of view, without having to stop and check other resources. The medical field can use AR to aid surgeons by projecting virtual models of the patient's anatomy into the surgeon's field of view during procedures.

What is a fiber optic cable?

Uses light waves to carry internet signals at extremely high speeds.

What is WEP?

Was the original security protocol for Wi-Fi networks.

What is an IP address?

When you log onto the internet from your home computer, your Internet Service Provider assigns an IP address to your router. (It is a number that identifies a particular device)

What is syncing?

Which is short for synchronizing, means bringing files from a folder in one device to a folder in another device.

What is WPA?

Wi-Fi Protected Access, a newer security algorithm for Wi-Fi.