Principles of It Lesson 9

Backbone

A central core of a network this connection can link many smaller networks to a larger network

Hub

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

Network Interface Card (NIC)

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

Token Ring Topology

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

Bus topology

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

Packet

A small unit into which information

Topology

A study of how items are related to one another in space; a configuration

Ethernet

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

Network Protocols

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

Network Operating System

A set of programs used to manage and secure a network

Fiber Optic Cable

A cable that uses light guided through glass tubes, instead of electrical signals to transmit data. It is fast but expensive

Star bus Topology

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

Server

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

Client Workstation

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

Router

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

Client/Server Network

A 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.

Peer-to Peer (P2P) Network

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

Ring Topology

A network layout in which two 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.

Bridge

A network switch-this connects many parts of a network and directs trafic as needed

Network Admin

A person who manages a computer network; he or she designs the topology and adjusts the network as needed to suit the organization's needs. The network admin may be responsible for protecting the network from attack

Firewall

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

Intranet

A private network that uses Internet technologies to share company information among employees of an organization.

Star Topology

A 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.)

Coxial Cable

A type of electrical cable often uesd to transmit cable TV

Switch

A type of hub 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 Arean Network

A type of network where computers are close toghether typically in the same building or office

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A type of network where the computers are far apart—in different buildings, different cities, or even different countries.

Node

Any sending and receiving point in a computer network

Wireless Communciation

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

Network Architecture

The design of a computer network; which specifies how 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 kind of networking cable today.

Network

Two or more devices connected together with the equipment used to connect them

Extranet

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