Computer Network

A group of computers connected together in a way that allows information to be exchanged between the computers.

Packet

A piece of a message transmitted over a packet-switching network.

Local Area Network

LAN connects many devices that are relatively close to each other, usually in the same building. The library terminals that display book information would connect over a local area network

Wide Area Network

Wide area network (WAN) technologies connect a smaller number of devices that can be many kilometers apart

Node

A node is anything that is connected to the network. 

Media Access Control

 This is the physical address of any device -- such as the NIC in a computer -- on the network. The MAC address, which is made up of two equal parts, is 6 bytes long. The first 3 bytes identify the company that made the NIC. The second 3 bytes are the serial number of the NIC itself.

IP Address

An IP address is an identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network. 

Bus Topology

Each node is daisy-chained (connected one right after the other) along the same backbone. Each end of a bus network must be terminated.

Ring Topology

Like a bus network, rings have the nodes daisy-chained. The difference is that the end of the network comes back around to the first node, creating a complete circuit. In a ring network, each node takes a turn sending and receiving information through the use of a token.

Network Token

A token is a special series of bits that travels around a token-ring network.

Star Topology

In a star network, each node is connected to a central device called a hub. 

Tree Topology

A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable.

Protocol

An agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices. 

Peer-Peer Architecture

A type of network in which each workstation has equivalent capabilities and responsibilities.

Client/Server Architecture

An architecture where some computers are dedicated to serving the others.