Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be transmitted over a network at any given time.

Bridge

A device that connects two LANs and controls data flow between them.

Bus Topology

A network topology in which all network nodes and peripheral devices are attached to a single conduit.

Client/Server Network

A hierarchical network strategy in which the processing is shared by a server and numerous clients. Clients provide the user interface, run applications, and request services from the server.

Coaxial Cable

A cable composed of a single conductive wire wrapped in a conductive wire mesh shield with an insulator in between.

Ethernet

The most common network protocol.

Fiber-Optic Cable

A thin strand of glass wrapped in a protective coating; transfers data by means of pulsating beams of light.

File Server

The central computer of a network used for shared storage.

Gateway

A computer system that can translate one network protocol into another so that data can be transmitted between two dissimilar networks.

Hub

In a network, a device that connects nodes and servers together at a central point.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A system of PCs located relatively near to one another and connected by wire or a wireless link. Permits simultaneous access to data and resources, enhances personal communication, and simplifies backup procedures.

Mesh Topology

An expensive, redundant cabling scheme for local area networks, in which each node is connected to every other node by a unique cable.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A circuit board that controls the exchange of data over a network.

Network Operating System (NOS)

A group of programs that manage the resources on a network. (Example: Novell)

Network

A system of interconnected computers that communicate with one another and share applications, data, and hardware components.

Node

An individual computer that is connected to a network.

Peer-to-Peer Network

A network environment in which all nodes on the network have equal access to at least some of the resources on all other nodes.

Protocol

A set of rules and procedures that determine how a computer system receives and transmits data.

Read/Write Access

A type of security right which a network administrator can assign to a user of the network. The user is allowed to not only open and view the file but also is permitted to make changes to the file and save the file back to its original location.

Read-only Access

A type of security right which a network administrator can assign to a user of the network. The user is allowed to open and view the file but is not permitted to make changes to the file or save the file back to its original location.

Ring Topology

A network topology in which network nodes are connected in a circular configuration. Each node examines the data sent through the ring and passes on data not addressed to it.

Router

A computer device that stores the addressing information of each computer on the network; it uses this information to transfer data along the most efficient path between nodes of the network.

Spooling

The process of queuing multiple print jobs that have been sent to a networked printer. Print jobs are temporarily stored while they await their turn to be printed.

Star Topology

A network topology in which network nodes connect to a central hub through which all data is routed.

Supervisor Access

In a network environment, a type of access right granted only to users with management-level status. Gives access to any drive or file on the network, with the ability to edit, copy, move, or delete any file.

Token Ring

IBM's network protocol, based on a ring topology in which linked computers pass an electronic token containing addressing information to facilitate data transfer.

Topology

The physical layout of wires that connect the computers in a network; includes bus, star, ring, and mesh.

Twisted-Pair Cable

Cable used in network connections.

Wireless Topology

A network topology used for wireless networks, whose nodes are not connected by cables or wires.