computer network - A computer network is a digital telecommunications network which allows nodes to share resources. In computer networks, computing devices exchange data with each other using connections between nodes.

packet- A network packet is a formatted unit of data carried by a packet-switched network. A packet consists of control information and user data, which is also known as the payload. 

Local Area Network- A local-area network (LAN) is a computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most often, a LAN is confined to a single room, building or group of buildings, however, one LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves.

wide area network- a computer network in which the computers connected may be far apart, generally having a radius of half a mile or more.

Node- a point at which lines or pathways intersect or branch a central or connecting point

Media access control- is a sublayer of the data link layer in the seven-layer OSI network reference model. MAC is 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- In computer architecture, a bus is a communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer, or between computers. This expression covers all related hardware components and software, including communication protocols.

star topology-is a topology for a Local Area Network in which all nodes are individually connected to a central connection point, like a hub or a switch. A star takes more cable than e.g. a bus, but the benefit is that if a cable fails, only one node will be brought down.

Ring Topology-  is a network configuration in which device connections create a circular data path. Each networked device is connected to two others, like points on a circle. Together, devices in a ring topology are referred to as a ring network.

Network Token - is a local area network in which all computers are connected in a ring or star topology and pass one or more logical tokens from host to host.

Tree topology- is a special type of structure in which many connected elements are arranged like the branches of a tree.

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- architecture of a computer network in which many clients request and receive service from a centralized server.