Computer Network

A network is 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)

A LAN is a network of computers that are in the same general physical location, usually within a building or a campus.

Wide Area Network

(WAN)

If the computers are far apart (such as across town or in different cities), then a Wide Area Network (WAN) is typically used.

Node

A node is anything that is connected to the network. While a node is typically a computer, it can also be something like a printer or CD-ROM tower.

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, similar to Christmas lights. Information sent from a node travels along the backbone until it reaches its destination node.

Ring Topology

In a ring network, each node takes a turn sending and receiving information through the use of a token.

Network Token

In networking, 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. 

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

Client-server architecture (client/server) is a network architecture in which each computer or process on the network is either a client or a server.