Chapter 7: Networking

client/server network

A computer network in which one centralized, powerful computer is a hub to which many less powerful personal computers or workstations are connected.

computer network

A computer network is a set of computers connected together for the purpose of sharing resources.

wide area network (WAN)

A computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area.

data plan

A monthly subscription to a cellular or other wireless carrier for the transfer of data over its network.

peer-to-peer network (P2P)

A network of computers configured to allow certain files and folders to be shared with everyone or with selected users.

piggybacking

Gaining access to a restricted communications channel by using the session another user already established.

data transfer rate

The speed with which data can be transmitted from one device to another

service set identifier (SSID)

a case sensitive, 32 alphanumeric character unique identifier attached to the header of packets sent over a wireless local-area network (WLAN).

modem

a combined device for modulation and demodulation, for example, between the digital data of a computer and the analog signal of a telephone line.

network interface card (NIC)

a computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.

metropolitan area network (MAN)

a computer network that interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic area or region larger than that covered by even a large local area network (LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a wide area network (WAN)

digital subscriber line (DSL)

a family of technologies that are used to transmit digital data over telephone lines.

4G

a mobile communications standard intended to replace 3G, allowing wireless Internet access at a much higher speed.

3G

a mobile communications standard that allows mobile phones, computers, and other portable electronic devices to access the Internet wirelessly.

home area network (HAN)

a network contained within a user's home that connects a person's digital devices, from multiple computers and their peripheral devices to telephones, VCRs, televisions, video games, home security systems, smart appliances, fax machines and other digital devices

Cat 6 cable

a standardized twisted pair cable for Ethernet and other network physical layers

gigabit

a unit of information equal to one billion

broadband Internet access

commonly refers to high-speed Internet access that is always on and faster than the traditional dial-up access

node

devices or data points on a larger network

disadvantages of setting up networks

expensive, complicated, If the file server breaks down the files on the file server become inaccessible, Viruses

fiber-optic service

is a data communications service provided by Verizon that uses fiber optic cables to transfer data.

wireless range extender

takes an existing signal from a wireless router or wireless access point and rebroadcasts it to create a second network.

benefits of networks

File sharing, Resource sharing, Sharing a single internet connection, Increasing storage capacity

coaxial cable

a transmission line that consists of a tube of electrically conducting material surrounding a central conductor held in place by insulators and that is used to transmit telegraph, telephone, television, and Internet signals

mobile hotspot

an ad hoc wireless access point that is created by a dedicated hardware device or a smartphone feature that shares the phone's cellular data

Internet service provider (ISP)

an organization that provides services accessing and using the Internet.

satellite Internet

Internet access provided through satellites

fiber-optic cable

a high-speed data transmission medium. It contains tiny glass or plastic filaments that carry light beams.

local area network (LAN)

a network that connects computers and other devices in a relatively small area, typically a single building or a group of buildings.

network-ready device

(1) Software designed to run in a network. (2) Refers to a computer that has built-in networking capability, typically Ethernet

cable Internet

Internet access from the cable TV companies. The coaxial cable coming into the home or building is split into one line for the cable modem and the other for the TV set-top box.

Internet of Things (IoT)

a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.

personal area network (PAN)

a computer network used for data transmission amongst devices such as computers, telephones, tablets and personal digital assistants.

switch

a computer networking device that connects devices together on a computer network by using packet switching to receive, process, and forward data to the destination device.

network operating system (NOS)

a computer operating system system that is designed primarily to support workstation, personal computer, and, in some instances, older terminal that are connected on a local area network (LAN).

Wi-Fi

a facility allowing computers, smartphones, or other devices to connect to the Internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a particular area.

Network-attached storage devices (NAS)

a file-level computer data storage server connected to a computer network providing data access to a heterogeneous group of clients

router

a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks

unshielded twisted-pair cable (UTP)

a popular type of cable that consists of two unshielded wires twisted around each other. Due to its low cost is used extensively for local-area networks (LANs) and telephone connections.

Ethernet

a system for connecting a number of computer systems to form a local area network, with protocols to control the passing of information and to avoid simultaneous transmission by two or more systems.