Computer Networks and Communication

wireless PC card adapter

about the size of a credit card. inserted into a slow on the side of most notebooks and net books. has built in wifi antenna that provides wireless capacity. LED lights indicate whether the computer is connected.

star topolgy

all nodes connected to a common central node - spoke like fashion (MOST COMMON). can involve a hub etc.

bus topolgy

all nodes of the network are connected to a common linear backbone with two endpoints (aka. linear bus)

node

any device connected to a network, it can be any computer, peripheral, and communication device.

bps

bits per second

terminator

signifies the end of a circuit

network topolog

the actual arrangement of computers in a network

router

(computer science) a device that forwards data packets between computer networks

file server

(computer science) a digital computer that provides workstations on a network with controlled access to shared resources

client

(computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network

USB

A ____ port can be used by many different input/output devices, such as keyboards, printers, scanners, and digital cameras.

wide area network (WAL)

A computer network that connects separate institutions across a large geographical area. The internet is the largest WAN. WANS are privately own.

local area network (LAN)

A computer network that covers a small area. Uses cables, radio waves, or infrared signals.

contention

A conflict or struggle

chipset

A group of chips on the motherboard that controls the timing and flow of data and instructions to and from the CPU.

switches

A layer 2 device that used to connect two or more network segments and regulate traffic.

wireless access point

A network device that connects several devices of a local area network by broadcasting signals to any device with compatible Wi-Fi cards.

NIC

A network interface card. It's an expansion board that fits into an expansion slot, or adapter, that is built into the computers motherboard.

client/server network

A network that uses centrally administered computers, known as servers, to enable resource sharing for and to facilitate communication between the other computers on the network.

physical address

A unique number, can either be referred to either as NIC, or the DLCI

modem

Communications hardware device that facilitates the transmission of data.

peer-to-peer network

Computer architecture in which all of the computers on a network are equal and there is no computer designated as the server.

servers

Computers on the network that make access to files, printing, communications, and other services available to users of the networ

communications devices

Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices.

personal area network (PAN)

Short range network between a computer and a mobile phone or similar portable device. ex: cell phones, notebook, blue tooth etc.

network operating system

Software that controls the operations of a network; controls the computer systems and peripherals, and the communication between them.

data transfer rate

The amount of data that a storage device can move from a storage medium to computer memory in one time unit, such as one second.

virtual private network

The corporate security policy states that all remote connections use only secure tunnels for transport of data. What encryption technique secures data traveling across the public Internet as if it were traveling across the corporate LAN?

network architecture

The design of a computer network; includes both physical and logical design.

logical address

The network layer address that refers to a logical, rather than a physical, network device. A name.

ring topology

Topology where the computers are connected on a loop or ring. Data flows in one direction only.

protocol suite

a delineation of networking protocols and standards into different categories, called layers, along with definitions of which sets of standards and protocols need to be implemented to create products that can be used to create a working network

metropolitan area network (MAN)

a large computer network that usually spans a city or a large campus

intranet

a network designed for the exclusive use of computer users within an organization that cannot be accessed by users outside the organization

hub

a simple inexpensive device that connects multiple devices

campus area network ( CAN)

generally, a local area network operating within a single organization that leases access to the Web directly from regional national carriers. ex: campus or business park.

Network

group of two or more computer systems linked together to exchange data and share an Internet connection and resources, including expensive peripherals such as high performance laser printers.

protocols

set of standards or rules implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of the two which enable network connected devices to communicate with each other.