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. It contains the destination address in addition to the data. Often called datagrams.

Local Area Network (LAN)

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

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. While a node is typically a computer, it can also be something like a printer or CD-ROM tower.

Media Access Control (MSC)

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

IP Address

IP address is short for Internet Protocol 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. Information sent from a node travels along the backbone until it reaches its destination node. 

Ring Topology

Rings have the nodes daisy-chained. The end of the network comes back around to the first node, creating a complete circuit.

Network Token

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

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

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

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

Hubs

A hub is a common connection point for devices in a network.

Network Routers

A router connects networks.  A router acts as a dispatcher as it decides which way to send each information packet.