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1. Computer Network

Computer networking refers to interconnected computing devices that can exchange data and share resources with each other.

2. Packet

A Packet is a piece of a message or file that is too big to send in one single packet.

3. Local Area Network (LAN)

Local area network technologies connect many devices that are relatively close to each other, usually in the same building.

4. Wide Area Network (WAN)

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

5. 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.

6. Media Access Control (MSC)

This is the physical address of any device -- such as the NIC in a computer -- on the network.

7. IP Address

An IP (Internet Protocol) Address is an alphanumeric label assigned to computers and other devices that connect to a network using an internet protocol.

8. Bus Topology

Each node is daisy-chained (connected one right after the other) along the same backbone, similar to Christmas lights.

9. 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.

10. Network Token

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

11. Star Topology

In a star network, 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.

12. 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.