Computer Network:

a set of computers connected together for the purpose of sharing resources.

Packet:

A piece of a message transmitted over a packet-switching network. See under packet switching. One of the key features of a packet is that it contains the destination address in addition to the data. In IP networks, packets are often called data grams.

Local Area Network(LAN):

A network that connects computers and other devices in a relatively small area.

Wide Area Network(WAN):

A network connection that connects devices over a large area.

Node:

The basic unit used in computer science.

Media Access Control:

Responsible for the transmission of data packets to and from the network-interface card, and to and from another remotely shared channel.

IP Address:

a unique string of numbers separated by periods that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network.



Bus Topology:

 Topology in which all of the various devices in the network are connected to a single cable or line.

Ring Topology:

Topology in which each node connects to exactly two other nodes, forming a single continuous pathway for signals through each node - a ring. 

Network Token:

 a local area network (LAN) in which all computers are connected in a ring or star topology and pass one or more logical tokens from host to host. Only a host that holds a token can send data, and tokens are released when receipt of the data is confirmed.

Star Topology:

 a network topology where each individual piece of a network is attached to a central node (often called a hub or switch).

Tree Topology:

 A network structure in the form of a multipoint electrical circuit, with multiple branches off the trunk of the central, or root, bus, as illustrated in Figure T-5.

Protocol:

A set of guidelines for a computers procedure.

Peer-Peer Architecture:

is a commonly used computer networking achitecture in which each workstation, or node, has the same 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.