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. One of the key features of a packet is that it contains the destination address in addition to the data. 

Local Area Network

Connects many devices that are relatively close to each other, usually in the same building.

Wide Area Network

Connects 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

A media access control is a network data transfer policy that determines how data is transmitted between two computer terminals through a network cable.

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. Information sent from a node travels along the backbone until it reaches its destination node. Each end of a bus network must be terminated with a resistor to keep the signal that is sent by a node across the network from bouncing back when it reaches the end of the cable.

Ring Topology

Each node takes a turn sending and receiving information through the use of a token. The token, along with any data, is sent from the first node to the second node, which extracts the data addressed to it and adds any data it wishes to send.

Network Token

A token is a special series of bits that travels around a token-ring network. As the token circulates, computers attached to the network can capture it.

Star Topology

Each node is connected to a central device called a hub. The hub takes a signal that comes from any node and passes it along to all the other nodes in the network.

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

A network architecture in which each computer or process on the network is either a client or a server.