Networking

Client

Any part of the network that receives data such as a workstation

Computer Network

Computers connected together for the purpose of sharing information and resources

Host

Any part of the network that gives data out (where client accesses the data from) such as a server

Hub

A device that uses its ports to connect devices (computers, printers, etc.) together

LAN

Local Area Network; a geographic network that covers a relatively small geographic area such as a building or a small campus - no more than a mile distance between computers

Network Interface Card

A card installed in a computer that allows you to connect to a network (can be Ethernet, telephone, or wireless)

MAN

Metropolitan Area Network; a geographic network that covers a larger geographic area such as a city or community; may be used to connect computers in libraries, government agencies, etc. together - no more than 30 miles in size

Modem

A device that allows computers to communicate over telephone lines

Peer to peer

A controller network that simply connects computers to each other or to a device such as a printer, but a server is not necessary

Protocol

How data is formatted, transmitted and received in a network

Router

A device that transfers data from one network to another in an intelligent way

Server

A computer with large processing resources that stores all of the software that controls the network, as well as the software that can be shared with the computers attached to the network

Server-based

A controller network that connects computers and other devices through a server

Switch

A computer networking device that connects network segments

WAN

Wide Area Network; largest type of network in terms of geographic area; largest WAN is the Internet

Wifi

Wireless local area network that uses radio signals to transmit data

Wireless Adapter

The device that you must have on your computer in order to connect to a wireless network

WLAN

Wireless Local Area Network

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be transferred over a network in a certain amount of time

Bluetooth

Allows electronic devices like cell phones and computers to exchange data over short distances using radio waves

Chat room

A virtual room where people discuss using text over the Internet

Communications Media

How nodes in a network are connected together (by cable, by fiber optics, radio waves, etc.)

E mail

An exchange of electronic messages between computers that are connected to the Internet or some other computer network

Fax

An exchange of electronic messages between computers that are connected to the Internet or some other computer network

FTP

A communications method for transferring data between computers on the Internet

Firewall

Part of a computer system that is designed to block unauthorized access

Instant Messaging

The use of an application that allows users to "chat" over the Internet from computer to computer

Node

Any device physically connected in a network (such as computer workstations, server, printers, etc.)

Public internet access point

A public place that provides internet access to users or customers

topology

The physical and logical design of a computer network; examples include mesh, bus, ring and star; the physical layout of the network devices and the cabling, and how all the components communicate with each other

Video Conferencing

Live conferences over the Internet that includes voice, video, and or text

Workstation

A personal computer located on a network