Computer network

 a set of computers sharing resources located on or provided by network nodes. 

Packet

 a small segment of a larger message.

LAN

 a collection of devices connected together in one physical location, such as a building, office, or home

WAN

allows devices to connect over a wide geographic area without utilizing public internet. 

Node

a connection point in a communications network

MSC

 Main System Controller · Military, Management, Networking

IP adress

a series of numbers that identifies any device on a network

Bus topology

 a type of network topology in which all devices in the network are connected by one central RJ-45 network cable or coaxial cable

Ring topology

a network configuration where device connections create a circular data path

network token

 a series of bits that circulate on a token-ring network

Star topology

 a network topology in which each network component is physically connected to a central node such as a router

Tree topology

 a hybrid network topology in which star networks are interconnected via bus networks

Protocol

an established set of rules that determine how data is transmitted between different devices in the same network

Peer-Peer architecture

a commonly used computer networking architecture in which each workstation, or node, has the same capabilities and responsibilities

Client/Server architecture

architecture of a computer network in which many clients (remote processors) request and receive service from a centralized server (host computer)