Definition2 Flashcards
Definition of a Network
A collection of computers and other hardware components interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information.
Example: A network in a company allows employees to share files and printers.
Definition of Network Topology
The physical or logical arrangement of network devices and how they are connected.
Definition of PAN (Personal Area Network)
A network that connects devices within a personal space, typically within a range of 10 meters, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct.
Definition of LAN (Local Area Network)
A network that covers a small geographical area, such as a home, school, or office, allowing sharing of resources like files and printers.
Definition of MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
A network that spans a city or a large campus, used to connect LANs within a metropolitan area.
Definition of WAN (Wide Area Network)
A network that covers a large geographical area, often spanning countries or continents, such as the Internet.
Definition of CAN (Campus Area Network)
A network that connects multiple buildings within a campus or a large institution.
Definition of VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A secure, encrypted connection over a less secure network, like the internet, used to protect data transmission and ensure privacy.
Definition of SAN (Storage Area Network)
A network designed to provide high-speed, reliable access to storage devices.
Definition of NIC (Network Interface Card)
A hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a network, either through wired or wireless connections.
Definition of MAC Address (Media Access Control Address)
A unique identifier assigned to the network interface of a device, used in communication within the physical network.
Definition of IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)
A numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network, used for identifying and locating devices within the network.
Definition of Router
A networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks, directing traffic on the internet.
Definition of Switch
A device used in a network to connect multiple devices. It uses MAC addresses to forward data to the correct destination, making the network more efficient.
Definition of DNS (Domain Name System)
A system that translates domain names like www.example.com into IP addresses, allowing users to access websites without memorizing numerical IP addresses.
Definition of Bandwidth
The maximum amount of data that can be transferred over a network in a given amount of time, usually measured in bits per second (bps).
Definition of Firewall
A security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
Definition of Packet Switching
A method of transmitting data in which messages are divided into packets that travel independently across the network, reassembling at the destination.
Definition of Circuit Switching
A method of communication where a dedicated communication path is established between two devices for the duration of the connection, typically used in telephone networks.
Definition of Message Switching
A method where entire messages are stored and forwarded to the next network node. Each message waits in a queue until the next network node is available.
Definition of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
A technology that allows voice communication over the internet instead of traditional telephone networks.
Definition of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
A protocol that ensures reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data between applications communicating over an IP network.
Definition of UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
A protocol used for transmitting data quickly without establishing a connection, but without the reliability and error checking provided by TCP.
Definition of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
A protocol used for transferring hypertext requests and information on the World Wide Web.
Definition of FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another over a TCP-based network such as the Internet.
Definition of SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
A protocol used for sending email messages between servers.
Definition of POP (Post Office Protocol)
A protocol used by email clients to retrieve email from a server.
Definition of IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)
A protocol used by email clients to access email on a remote mail server, allowing more complex management of messages.
Definition of URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
The address used to access resources on the internet, such as web pages.
Definition of ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
A protocol used to map an IP address to a physical MAC address in a local network.
Definition of ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol)
A network layer protocol used for error reporting and diagnostics in network communication.
Definition of Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)
A technology that allows devices to connect to a network wirelessly using radio waves.
Definition of NAT (Network Address Translation)
A technique used to modify network address information in packet headers while in transit across a router or firewall.
Definition of OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model
A conceptual framework used to understand and standardize the functions of a telecommunication or computing system without regard to its underlying internal structure and technology.
Definition of IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
A cloud computing service model that provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.
Definition of PaaS (Platform as a Service)
A cloud computing service model that provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without dealing with the infrastructure.
Definition of SaaS (Software as a Service)
A cloud computing service model that provides software applications over the internet, on a subscription basis.
