Glossary Terms - Networking Flashcards
Bandwidth
The amount of data which can be transmitted over a network per second, measured in BPS.
It can also differ on different parts of the network (wired vs wireless)
Industry Standards (Networking)*
Defines the rules for data communication that’s needed for networking devices to communicate with one another on a network.
This also includes the different types of devices which are included in the industry standards.
Network Transmission Media
NTM is the physical channel used to transmit data over a network.
Data Transmission
Is the data which is sent through a network.
Latency
The measure of how long it takes for on packet of data to get from one place to another.
Networking Tools
Types of software and physical tools which help in creating, maintaining or distributing a network.
Full-Duplex
A data transmission mode where data can travel in an synchronous manner; both directions simultaneously.
Eg: telephone calls, LAN, WAN, Internet
Local Area Network (LAN)
A network which operates in a single geographical location with more than 2 devices connected in order to share resources and data.
It’s the most common, cheap and effective network type.
Protocols
Set of rules which define how data is transmitted over a network.
Each protocol is used to transfer data over a SOHO and around the internet.
Half-Duplex
A data transmission mode where data can travel in an asynchronous manner; both directions but only in one direction at a time.
Eg: walkie talkies, printers and PC
Modem
A networking device which allows for a single node to connect to an external network such as the internet,
and translates analogue and digital signals.
Router
A networking device that’s a combination of a modem and a switch, and allows one to connect multiple nodes to the internet.
Simplex
A type of data transmission mode which allows for data to be sent in one direction at a time. It has no returning signal.
Eg: broadcast radio.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
An expansion card that’s installed onto laptops or desktop PCs and allows for a network connection either wired or wirelessly.
Network Security
Prevents unauthorised access to the network from the internet. This is achieved with firewalls, antivirus programs, intrusion detection and anti-spam software.
Node
A device/data point on a network.
Network Types (Topologies)
The physical layout of nodes in a network which can be organised in different ways to change how data is sent over that network.
SOHO Network
Small office home office network is a LAN with no more than 10 users.
Firewall
Used to validate data packets it receives from the modem to ensure they’re a legit part of data traffic requested by the user and prevents unauthorised access to a network.
Switch
A networking device which connects nodes together on a network. It’s a smart device which is able to read data packets and identify which IP requested the data.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Gives online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network. VPNs mask a user’s IP address so online actions cannot be traced virtually.
Mesh Network
A topology that which is a combination of 2 or more topologies.
Wireless Access Point (WAP) / Array
A networking device which allows for wireless nodes to connect to a wired network wirelessly.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Allows for voice communication using nodes over the internet where all voice data is sent in packets and converted.
Coaxial Cable
A cable which is the backbone for the bus topology. It normally connects from an ISP wall outlet to a cable modem.
It’s made from a single copper wire and has shielding and insulation to protect it from any interference.
Hub
A networking device which connects nodes together on a network. It is a ‘dumb’ device, meaning that the data requested by users is sent to all devices rather than just the one that needs it. Not recommended.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A composition of multiple LANs which work across multiple geographical locations.
802.11
Also known as WiFi. It’s a wireless network transmission media and makes use of radio waves in the air to transmit data.
It can also suffer from interference.
Network Attached Storage (NAS)
A device that is made up of a number of HDDs and allows for multiple clients on a network to access the resources from a single central disk capacity.
Untwisted Pair Cable
Also known as Ethernet cables, UTP is the most efficient type of wired NTM. It’s a single copper wire that uses electric signals to transfer data, as a result they’re susceptible to mild interference.
Fibre Optic Cable
The most effective type type of wired network transmission media. It’s made up of fibre optics and uses light to transmit data.
Star Network Topology
A centralised network topology where all devices connect directly off a central device.
Ethernet Cable
The most efficient type of wired network transmission media. It’s an arrangement of copper wires which send an electrical signal.
Bluetooth
Another wireless transmission media which transmits data directly between portable devices like phones and laptops.
These connections are temporary and separate from other networks.
Ring Network Topology
Every node connects to exactly 2 other nodes and forms a single continuous pathway.
Data travels from node to node where each node along the way handles each packet.
Terminator
Used in bus networks which prevents interference and signal loss.
Print Server
Allows for computers to connect with more than one printer on the network.
Bus Network Topology
A decentralised network where all devices are connected along a single coaxial cable.
Server
Bigger and faster computers which are designed to run a specific function for the use of other computers on a network.
Network Operating System (NOS)
An Operating System that is designed to assist with management of a network and servers. (Files, Hardware, Security…)
Intranet
An internal web based system used for the distribution of information.
Extranet
A computer network which allows access to unauthorised users.
A web based system which doesn’t require authorisation.
Peer to Peer Network
A type of network where nodes connect directly to each other and no networking hardware is used.
Ping
A network diagnostic tool that tests connectivity - whether data packets are able to reach a destination.
Data Packets
Data is divided into ‘packets’ as it is transferred over a network.
Constraint
A key consideration in the development of a project/system e.g. time, cost, expertise, availability.
WEP
(Wired Equivalent Privacy)
- Original form of security in the 802.11 wireless standard.
- Can be cracked in a very short amount of time with publicly available tools
- Should never be used.
DON’T RECOMMEND!
WPS
(Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
- Developed to make wireless security easier by using a button and PIN combo.
- Found to have a major flaw and is highly vulnerable. All networking companies recommend that WPS be disabled on the router.
DON’T RECOMMEND!
WPA
(Wireless Protected Access)
- Created to solve issues with weak WEP security.
- Can be used in two states - Personal (password to access network) and Enterprise (access controlled by user accounts on a server)
RECOMMEND
Parity Bits
A parity bit is a bit which has a value of 0 or 1, and is added to packet of data for error detection purposes.
Disk Repairer
Looks for damaged files on a hard drive, attempts to recover the damaged file onto a different section of the hard drive, and then marks the damaged section of the hard drive as unusable.
System Restore
Takes previously backed up copies of important files and copies them over the existing copies of those files.
Application Updater
Checks the local version against the latest version on the Internet and installs the latest version if necessary.
System Updater
Checks for patches that have been released but are not installed and then installs them.
Network Bridge
Joins two networks together which have the same protocol. Eg. Macs and Macs.
Network Gateway*
Joins two networks together which have different protocols by translating the requests between them.
MAC Address
The physical address used to identify devices on a network.
QoS
Quality of Service.
This refers to prioritising one type of transmission/node over another on a network.
NAT
Network Address Translation.
Converts a private/non-routable network to a public/routable network and vice-versa.
Traceroute, Tracert, Tracepath
CERN TOOL
A network diagnostic tool which provides information about the latency of packets as well as the path taken by said packets.
ipConfig
A network diagnostic tool on Windows used to configure your network interfaces and provides information about them.
Whois
A command that can be used on the internet to show more information about the registration record (domain name, contact info) about a domain name.
NetStat
A network diagnostic tool which displays incoming and outgoing network connections to see the connections of programs and how much data is being transmitted.
Static Proxy
A proxy server that does not change its address.
Dynamic Proxy
A proxy server that changes its address for more security.
Patch Panel
Another way of referring to a switch
Wake-on-LAN
Facilitates remote installation and use of a network.
