Chapter 1 Networking Fundamentals
node
(computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network
Network
(electronics) a system of interconnected electronic components or circuits
hub
a central connection point where all network cables are concentrated. it is classified as either active or passive
server
a computer that provides services to networked computers/ or clients
access port
a connection on a hub to which cables attach
media convertor
a device that changes one type of electrical signal into another or interfaces one cable type to another
protocal
a group of computer programs that handle packet formatting and control data transmssion
logical identification
a name provided by the technician at the time of installation that uniquely indentifies the computer on the network
multistation access unit
a network device that allows for a quick connection and disconnection
ring topology
a network device that allows for the quick connection and disconnection of token ring cables
network interface card
a network device that contains the electronic component needed to send and receive a digital signal
hub
a network device that provides a common electrical connection to all nodes
peer to peer network
a network in which all computers are considered peers or equal
wide area network
a network that consists of a large number of networks and PCs connected with private and public communication lines
client/server network
a network that consists of computers connected to one or more servers
metropolitan area network
a network that consists of two or more LAN's connected with private or public communications lines
hierarchical star
a network topology created by two ot more star topologies are merged using network devices
tree
a network topology created from two or more star topologies connected together by a common backbone
mesh topology
a network topology each node is connected to each of the other nodes
star topology
a network topology in which cables running from one node connect to a single point
hybrid topology
a network topology that consists of a mixture of topology types connected together
bus topology
a network topology that uses a single cable or conductor to connect all nodes
local area network
a part of a structure having some specific characteristic or function
ATM
a protocol that idenifie devices connected on the local area network and allows them to automatically exchanges information
LLDP
a protocol that identifies devices connected on the local area network and allows them to automatically exchange information
tcp/ip
a protocol that was developed by the defence advanced research project agency
FIR
a protocol used for transmitting data from laptop computers to desktop computers without the use of cables
administrative server
a server that administers network security and activites
database server
a server that contains data files and software programs to query the data
print server
a server that coordinates printing activities between clients and printers
dedicated server
a server that provides a single function
file server
a server that stores data files that can be accessed by a client
driver
a software program that allows a PC to communicate with and to transfer data to and from computer hardware, such as the network interface card
fiber optic cable
a type of cable that has a glass or clear plastic core
connection-oriented
a type of network connection that direct connection between the source and the destination
connectionless oriented
a type of network connection that does not use a direct connection between the destination and the source
copper core cable
a typer of cable that consists of a copper wire surrounded by plastic or synthetic insulation
cell
an area or zone that is served by a radio access tower
repeater
an electrical device that amplifies or reshapes a weak signal into its original strength and form
terminating resistor
an electrical device that resists the flow of electrical current
network operating system
an operating system that provides communication between the computers, printers, and other intelligent hardware that exist on the network
network administrator
an overall administrator who control access to the network and to its shares
media
the general term that identifies the material used to transport packets and data streams between nodes
attenuation
the loss of signal strength
centralized administration
the methodology used to administer a client/ server network
decentralized administrative
the methodology used to administer a peer to peer network
backbone
the part of a network that connects other networks together
MAC
the physical ID of a network card, which is a 6-byte, hexadecimal number
network topology
the physical arrangement of computer-related devices
active hub
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concentrator
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passive hub
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