15. Protocol

16. Peer-Peer Architecture

17. Client/Server Architecture

18. Hubs

19. Network Routers

20. Switches or Switching Hub 

21. Network Interface Card

22. Twisted-Pair Cable

23. Coaxial Cables

24. Fiber Optic

25. Wireless Network

26. Main Distribution Frame (MDF)

27. Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF)

COMPUTER NETWORKING

group of computers connected together in a way that allows information to be exchanged between the computers.

PACKET

A piece of a message transmitted over a packet-switching network. 

LOCAL AREA NETWORKING (LAN)

a network of computers that are in the same general physical location, usually within a building or a campus. If the computers are far apart (such as across town or in different cities)

WIDE AREA NETWORKING (WAN)

 technologies connect a smaller number of devices that can be many kilometers apart

Node 

A node is anything that is connected to the network. While a node is typically a computer, it can also be something like a printer or CD-ROM tower.

Media Access Control (MAC) address 

This is the physical address of any device -- such as the NIC in a computer -- on the network. The MAC address, which is made up of two equal parts, is 6 bytes long. The first 3 bytes identify the company that made the NIC. The second 3 bytes are the serial number of the NIC itself.

IP address (Internet Protocol)

an identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network. 

 Bus Topology

A network that uses a bus stop topology has all nodes connected by a common link, called a “bus line”. All data are transmitted and received through the bus line. 

Ring Topology

nodes are connected in a continuous loop. Data packets are passed from one node to the next, usually in a consistent direction. In one method of data transmission, data packets sent by one node are removed by the receiving node.

Network Token

 a special series of bits that travels around a token-ring network. As the token circulates, computers attached to the network can capture it. The token acts like a ticket, enabling its owner to send a message across the network

 Star Topology

each node is connected to a central device called a hub. The hub takes a signal that comes from any node and passes it along to all the other nodes in the network.

Tree Topology

 combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable.

Protocol

An agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices. 

Peer-to-peer architecture

a type of network in which each workstation has equivalent capabilities and responsibilities

Client-server architecture

 a network architecture in which each computer or process on the network is either a client or a server