Networks

Networks

1. Network Key Terms

   • Packets
     • Packet. This is a small amount of computer data sent over a network.
   • Wireless access point
     • A wireless access point (WAP) is a hardware device or configured node on a local area network (LAN) that allows wireless capable devices and wired networks to connect through a wireless standard, including Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
   • Router
     • A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks.
   • Switch
     • A network switch (also called switching hub, bridging hub, officially MAC bridge)
   • Network interface card
     • The NIC contains the electronic circuitry required to communicate using a wired connection

2. Misc

   • IP Addressing
     • An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.
   • MAC Addressing
     • A media access control address (MAC address) of a device is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications at the data link layer of a network segment.
   • Protocols
     • Sometimes referred to as an access method, a protocol is a standard used to define a method of exchanging data over a computer network, such as local area network, Internet, Intranet, etc.
   • network performance management definition
     • Network performance management is the collective techniques that enable, manage and ensure optimal performance levels of a computer network.
   • Transmission media
     • The means through which data is transformed from one place to another is called transmission or communication media.

3. Connection Terms

   • LAN Definition
     • A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and other devices in a relatively small area, typically a single building or a group of buildings.
   • WAN Definition
     • A computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area. Typically, a WAN consists of two or more local-area networks (LANs).
   • Network Definition
     • - Types & Definition. A computer network is a set of computers connected together for the purpose of sharing resources.
   • Client-Server Definition
     • denoting a computer system in which a central server provides data to a number of networked workstations.
   • Peer-to-Peer Definition
     • denoting or relating to networks in which each computer can act as a server for the others, allowing shared access to files and peripherals without the need for a central server.