1.3 - networks, connections, protocols Flashcards
Network
Two or more computers connected together for the purposes of sharing data or resources.
LAN (Local Area Network)
A network which covers a small geographic area such as a single building.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
A network which covers a large geographic area. The internet is a WAN
Client - Server network
A network setup where resources or processing are carried out by a central computer (called a server) with other devices (called clients) accessing resources via the network.
Peer to Peer Network
A network setup where all computers have an equal status and function as both client and server.
Wireless Access Point
Uses a wireless radio to allow devices to connect wirelessly to an existing network.
Router
A device which connects two or more different networks together allowing them to communicate with one another.
Switch
A device which provides computers and other devices with a wired connection to a network.
NIC (Network Interface Card)
A component within a computer or other device which allow it to connect to a network. The card provides the physical connection to the network and controls the sending and receiving of data between a computer & network. It may be built into the computer motherboard or a separate expansion card.
Transmission Media
The physical connection which carries data between network devices. This could be a cable or wireless signals depending on the network.
DNS (Domain Name System)
A system which links a URL or other human readable name with an IP address.
Hosting
The storing of files or other data on a server. The server storing the data is called the host.
The Cloud
A term for accessing storage or other resources remotely across The Internet.
Web Server
A server which hosts web sites and pages for users to access, usually via the internet.
Network Topology
The way in which computers and other network devices are connected together.
Star Network Topology
A network topology where all devices connect back to a single central point. All communications travel via the central point.
Mesh Network Topology
A network topology where all devices are connected to each other rather than a central point.
Bandwidth
The amount of data which can be transferred via a network in any given time. More bandwidth allows more data to travel across the network at the same time resulting in faster transfer speeds.
The Internet
A global network connecting millions of computers and other devices.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator. A human readable name given to websites and other Internet resources. DNS is used to translate the URL into the IP of the web server.
Client
A computer or other device which accesses data from a central server.
Ethernet
A physical copper cable used to connect devices on a network. The term also refers to the protocols and standards used to control how data is sent and received on the cable.
Wi-Fi
A technology which uses wireless signals to connect network devices.
Bluetooth
A short range wireless networking technology. It has relatively low range and speeds and is most often used for peripheral devices such as mice or headsets.
Encryption
The process of converting data so that it can’t be easily read/understood without first being decrypted. It is often used to keep important data secure when sharing it over a network.
IP Address
Stands for Internet Protocol Address. A unique address assigned to every computer on a network.
IPv4
Internet Protocol Version 4. Devices are assigned addresses made up of four numbers separated by dots, e.g. 232.112.11.1 each number can be between 0 and 255.
IPv6
Internet Protocol Version 6. Designed in response to the limited number of addresses in IPv4. Devices are assigned an address made of eight groups of hexadecimal characters such as
FE80:CD00:0000:0CDE:1257:0000:211E:729C
MAC Address
Media Access Control Address. A 12 digit hexadecimal number assigned to a network interface card. Each card has its own unique MAC addressed assigned when the card is made. 2C:54:91:88:C9:E3
Standard
An agreed way of doing something allowing different people and organisations to make products and services which work together.
Protocol
An agreed set of rules for how network communications should take place.
TCP/IP
Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. A group of standards which control how data is sent and received over networks including the Internet.
HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol. A standard for transferring web pages between a client and web server. It is based that clients send a request which the server responds to.
HTTPS
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. A version of the HTTP standard with security added. Commonly used for accessing secure websites such as online banking.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol. A standard for file transfer over networks.
POP
Post Office Protocol. A standard used by email clients to retrieve emails from an email server.
IMAP
Internet Message Access Protocol. A standard used by email clients to access emails stored on an email server. It has the advantage over POP of allowing emails to be stored and organised on the mail server.
SMTP
Simple Message Transfer Protocol. A standard used for the sending of emails over networks and The Internet.
