Basic Network Components
A group of interconnected (via cable and/or wireless) computers and peripherals that is capable of sharing software and hardware resources between many users.
What are Network Systems?
Network covering larger geographical area such as state or country
Wide Area Networks (WAN)
Data passed to centralized server providing service to clients
What is star topology?
Cable consists of thin transparent plastic; Works by sending reflection of light from one endpoint to another
What is a fiber-optic cable?
Determines which port to send traffic based on the computer connected to each port
What is a switch?
Computer or device on network that request resources or services from another computers or devices within network
What is a client?
Grouping computers and other devices in single physical locations
Local Area Network (LAN)
Has central node connecting multiple nodes to one another where each node could potentially act as central node to group of other nodes
What is tree topology?
Cable consisting of an inner conductor (wire) wrapped in a plastic protective sleeve
What is a coaxial cable?
Connects two or more network segments together
What is a bridge?
Any computer or device on network that enables resources sharing
What is a host?
Network physically covering an area larger than LAN and smaller than Wide Area Network (WAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Consists of single cable connecting all nodes on network without any intervening connectivity devices
What is a bus topology?
Cable consists of two or more pairs of conductors twisted together wrapped in protective plastic
What is a twisted-pair cable?
Network adapter hardware card allowing computer to participate in passing and receiving network data
What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?
Any device connected to network other than networking cabling (transmission media) which has unique address and capable of sending or receiving data
What are nodes?
Any network connecting two or more WANs covering an unlimited geographical area
Global Area Networks (GAN)
Mixture of all other topologies
What is a hybrid topology?
Bounded and unbounded
Intelligent devices maintaining routing table determining best path to destination node
What is a router?
Various channels through which data is transmitted and received
What is transmission media?
LAN without wires
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Data passes logically in ring from station to station until data reaches destination (ring path from one node to next may be single or dual)
What is a Ring topology?
What factors affect transmission media?
Distance, frequency (bandwidth), interference, cost
Combinations of networking hardware and software connecting dissimilar networks
What is a gateway?