Fundamentals of Networking

Token Passing

A technique where an electrical token circulates around a network—control of the token enables the user to gain access to the network

MAC Address

A unique 6-byte address assigned by the vendor of the network interface card

Data Link Layer

Handles error recovery, flow control (synchronization), and sequencing

Private addresses

IP addresses set aside for use in private intranets

Transport Layer

Is concerned with message integrity between source and destination

Session Layer

Provides the control functions necessary to establish, manage, and terminate the connections

Protocol

Set of rulesestablished for users to exchange information

Bus Topology

The computers share the media (coaxial cable) for data transmission

MAN

A network of users that share computer resources across a metropolitan area

Presentation Layer

Accepts and structures the messages for the application

Network Layer

Accepts outgoing messages and combines messages or segments into packets, adding a header that includes routing information

Deterministic

Access to thenetwork is provided at fixed time intervals

Mesh Topology

All networking devices are directly connected to each other

Topology

Architectureof a network

ISP

Internet service provider

OSI

Open system interconnect

RJ

Registered Jack

Host Address

Same ashost number

CSMA/CD

The Ethernet LAN mediaaccess method, carrier sense multiple access with collision detection

Network Interface Card (NIC)

The electronic hardware used to interface the computer to the network

Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI)

The first 3 bytes of the MAC address that identifies the manufacturer of the network hardware

Network Number

The portion ofthe IP address that defines which network the IP packet is originating from or being delivered to

OSI Model

The seven layers describing network functions

Data Speed

This will be determined by whether you chose to implement a wired or wireless home network. Wired networks offer the best data transfer rate inside the home network, up to 10Gbps. The best data transfer rates for a wireless home network can be obtained using 802.11n (Wireless-N) technology. This is the next generation of high-speed wireless connectivity providing data transfer rates up to 4 × 802.11g speeds (200+Mbps)

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, the protocol suite used for internetworks such as the Internet

Access point

Used to interconnect wireless devices and provide a connection to the wired LAN

wired network

Uses cables and connectors to establish the network connection

wireless network

Uses radio signals to establish the network connection

Token Ring Hub

A hub thatmanages the passing of the token in a Token Ring network

LAN

A network of users that share computer resources in a limited area

WAN

A network that connects local area networks across a large geographic area

IP internetwork

A network that uses IP addressing for identifying devices connected to the network

Token Ring Topology

A network topology configured in a logical ring that complements the token passing protocol

Router

A networking device used to connect two or more networks (for example, your LAN and the Internet) using a single connection to your ISP. A modern home networking router can also contain a switch and a broadband modem

Ease of Implementation

A wireless home network is probably the easiest to implement if the cabling and connectors for a wired network are not already installed. The time required to install the wireless home network is usually minimal as long as unexpected problems do not surface.

Appearance

A wireless home network offers the best choice in regards to appearance because there won't be cables and networking hardware scattered around the house. The wireless home network will require a wireless router and an external wired connection to the ISP

intranets

An internal network that provides file and resource sharing but is not accessed from the Internet

Range Extender

Device thatrelays the wireless signals from an access point or wireless router into areas with a weak signal or no signal at all

wireless router

Device used to interconnect wireless networking devices and to give access to wired devices and establish the broadband Internet connection to the ISP

ipconfig /all

Enablesthe MAC address information to be displayed from the command prompt

Cost

Implementing a high-speed wired network can be quite expensive. With the networking hardware, cabling, and related hardware, you can incur an unexpected additional cost for implementing the high-speed wired home network. The cost of switching to or implementing an 802.11n Wireless-N network is minimal and is a suitable alternative to a wired network. But remember, the maximum data rate for a Wireless-N network is still much lower than that possible with a wired LAN.

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, one of the major standards-setting bodies for technological development

Application Layer

Interacts with application programs that incorporate a communication component such as your Internet browser and email

Frame

Provides grouping of the information for transmission

Physical Layer

Provides theelectrical and mechanical connection to the network

Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)

The agency that assigns IP addresses to computer networks

Home Access

The choice of wired or wireless technology will not affect home access. However, the wired network will offer the best data transfer speed internal to the network, but the wireless network offers the best choice for mobility

Public Access

The choice of wired or wireless technology will not impact public access. The data rate for the connection to/from the ISP will be the limiting factor for the data transfer rate for public access.

Star Topology

The most common networking topology in today's LANs where all networking devices connect to a central switch or hub

Ports

The physical input/output interfaces to the networking hardware

Host Number

The portionof the IP address that defines the location of the networking device connected to the network; also called the host address

Broadband Modem/Gateway

This describes the device used to provide high speed data access via your cable connection or via a telephone company's DSL connection. A gateway combines a modem and a router into one network box.

DSL Modem

This device is used to make a broadband network connection from your home network to the ISP using the telephone line. Broadband access to the Internet is provided via the phone company or a separate ISP. The DSL connection requires the placement of filters on all telephone lines except the one going into the modem to prevent interference

Cable Modem

This device is used to make a broadband network connection from your home network to the ISP using your cable connection. This setup requires a splitter to separate the cable TV from the home network. Access to the Internet is typically provided by the cable TV service provider

Wireless Router

This device uses RF to connect to the networking devices. A wireless router typically contains a router, switch, and wireless access point and is probably the most common way to interconnect wireless LANs to the ISP's access device. Note that these devices also have wired network connections available on the system

IP Address

Unique 32-bit address that identifies on which network the computer is located as well as differentiates the computer from all other devices on the same network

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi Alliance—an organization that tests and certifies wireless equipment for compliance with the 802.11x standards