Principles of IT: Lesson 9

network Interface Card (NIC)

A card that enables one network interface card computer to send and receive data to and from another computer.

hub

A central point on a hub network where computers can connect. The central point is often a switch rather than a hub.

peer-to-peer network

A network architecture where all peer-to-peer network computers have equal responsibilities and all computers can share files with each other.

bus topology

A network layout in bus topology which there is one main trunk, or backbone, that all the various computers and network devices are connected to.

token ring topology

A network layout in which each token ring topology individual node is connected to two others, with the first and last coming back to connect to each other, thus completing the ring shape.

network operating system (NOS)

A set of programs used to network operating system manage and secure a network.

star topology

A star topology with one central node that has each computer or network device attached to the central node. All data first goes into the central node and then is sent out to its destination. (Think of it like a bicycle wheel with spokes.)

network protocols

The rules of network protocols initiating, interrupting, and continuing communication on a computer network.

client workstation

A computer intended to be client workstation used by one person at a time.

star bus topology

A LAN star bus topology wherein two star networks are linked using a bus.

client/server network

A client/server network architecture in which each computer is either a client or a server. Servers are powerful computers dedicated to managing the clients. Clients are PCs on which users run applications. Clients rely on servers for resources..

server

A computer dedicated to server providing one service (such as web hosting, disk storage, etc.) and that is shared by many users across a network.

router

A device that links two routes computer networks or links a local area network to the Internet. A router reads packet addresses and routes packets.

ring topology

A network layout in which two ring topology adjacent computers are connected together so that all computers in the network form a ring. Any message is sent from computer to computer until it reaches its destination.

network administrator

A person who manages a network administrator computer network; he or she designed its topology and adjusts it as needed to suit the organization's needs. The network administrator may also be responsible for securing the network against attack.

firewall

A piece of firewall hardware or software on a network designed to limit access to certain machines to authorized users only.

intranet

A private intranet network that looks and functions a lot like the Internet but is typically available only to the employees of an organization.

coaxial cable

A type of electrical coaxial cable often used to transmit cable TV.

switch

A type of hub switch that uses a table to keep track of destinations so that data can be sent directly to its destination, rather than to every computer on the network before the destination machine receives it.

local area network (LAN)

A type of network where local area network computers are close together, typically in the same building or office.

node

Any sending node and receiving point in a computer network.

fiber-optic cable

Cable that fiber-optic cable uses light guided through thin glass tubes, instead of electrical signals, to transmit data. It is very fast but also expensive.

wireless communication

Data transmission that uses wireless communication radio frequencies instead of cabling. Wi-Fi is a version of this.

bridge

Often called a network bridge switch, this connects many parts of a network and directs traffic as needed.

backbone

The central core of a backbone network, this connection can link many smaller networks to a larger network.

network architecture

The design of a computer network, which specifies how network architecture devices communicate with one another. The most common network architecture types are client/server and peer-to-peer.

twisted-pair cable

The most commonly used twisted-pair cable kind of networking cable today.

Ethernet

The primary ethernet networking technology currently in use. Ethernet defines standards for addressing packets and data and a method for avoiding data conflicts on the network.

packet

The small unit into packet which information is broken down before being sent across a network.

topology

The study of how topology items are related to one another in space; a configuration.

network

Two or more network devices connected together, along with the equipment used to connect them.

extranet

What an extranet organization's intranet becomes when the organization allows outsiders to access its intranet.