Networking and the Internet Flashcards
Internet
A network of interconnected devices, using telecommunications line, using standardised communication protocols.
World Wide Web
The multimedia content hosted on the devices connected to the Internet.
Modem
A device that converts analogue signals from telecommunications systems to digital signals for use in computing devices, and vice versa.
Router
A device for forwarding data packets to the correct location in a computer network.
Server
A specialised computer that manages access to a centralised resource in a network, such as email, media or data files.
Terminal
A device for entering commands or data into a computer system and displays the output. Often used to manage servers.
Hub
Connects devices in a network. An input to any port is repeated to all ports except the original source port.
Switch
Connects devices in a network. An input to any port is only send to the device the data packet was addressed to.
LAN
Local area network. A network which only covers a small geographical area, such as a building.
WAN
Wide area network. A network that covers a broad area i.e., links across metropolitan, regional, national or international boundaries using telecommunication lines.
WiFi
A standard means of connecting compatible devices together using radio waves.
Data transfer medium
The medium through which data is transferred. E.g. Ethernet cable, fibre optics, radio waves, infra red, microwaves etc.
Domain Name Server (DNS)
A computer server responsible for assigning IP addresses to devices connected to its network. Also converts domain names, into IP addresses.
TCP
Transmission control protocol. One of the key protocols for data transfer over networks. It controls the transfer of data packets within the network, error checks and confirms receipt.
IP
Internet Protocol. A set of rules governing the format of data sent over the Internet or other networks.
IP address
A binary number, represented by 4 octets, assigned to each device to identify and locate it on a network.
MAC address
A unique numerical address given to all network capable devices. Comprised of 5 sets of 2 hex bits.
HTTP
Hyper text transfer protocol. A set of rules governing how Hyper text is transmitted across networks.
FTP
File transfer protocol. A set of rules governing how files are transferred across networks.
SSH
Secure shell is a set of rules for secure data communication, remote login and execution over networks.
SSL
A secure protocol for transmitting private documents via the internet, typically used for email communications.
HTML
Hypertext markup language. A set of tags and rules used to develop a hypertext document. Used to create webpages.
URL
Uniform resource locator. Commonly known as the web address, the URL identifies a specific webpage located on the Internet.
