Hardware
Often called the "brain" of the computer, this component performs most of the processing inside the system.
What is the CPU (Central Processing Unit)?
In this most common network topology, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch.
What is a Star network?
This protocol is the standard used for sending and delivering email messages between servers.
What is SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)?
This device serves as a central connection point for network cables, but unlike a switch, it broadcasts data to every port.
What is a Hub?
This general term describes harmful software like viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
What is Malware?
This type of memory is volatile, meaning it loses all saved data once the computer is shut down.
What is RAM (Random Access Memory)?
In this older topology, all nodes are connected to a single central cable; if that cable breaks, the whole network goes down.
What is a Bus network?
This acronym stands for the combined protocol suite that serves as the foundation for the entire Internet.
What is TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)?
This intelligent device connects a local area network to the Internet and determines the best path for data.
What is a Router?
This software acts as a barrier to prevent or monitor unauthorized access between a private network and the internet.
What is a Firewall?
This is the main printed circuit board that serves as the central backbone through which all components connect.
What is the Motherboard?
This topology is highly resilient because every device is interconnected, allowing for alternate routes if one fails.
What is a Mesh network?
This protocol automatically assigns IP addresses to devices when they connect to a network.
What is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)?
This term refers to the amount of data that can be transferred through a network in a given period of time.
What is Bandwidth?
This is a person who designs, writes, and installs the instructions that tell a computer what to do.
What is a Computer Programmer?
These small electronic components, found by the millions on computer chips, act as switches or amplifiers.
What are Transistors?
This is the term for the physical or logical arrangement of computers on a network.
What is Topology?
Developed by Xerox in 1975, this standard for wired local area networks remains a dominant technology today.
What is Ethernet?
This is a unique physical identifier assigned to a network interface card (NIC) by its manufacturer.
What is a MAC (Media Access Control) address?
This security method requires two different types of verification, such as a password and a code sent to a phone.
What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
This specific type of SSD is very expensive but has an extremely long lifespan compared to consumer models.
What is SLC (Single-Layer Cell)?
This specific network scale connects users nationally or even internationally across vast distances.
What is a WAN (Wide Area Network)?
Operating at the Internet layer, this protocol is responsible for routing data packets between different networks.
What is IP (Internet Protocol)?
This system translates human-readable domain names (like google.com) into numerical IP addresses.
What is DNS (Domain Name System)?
This network technician tool is used to capture and analyze data packets to troubleshoot or identify security threats.
What is a Network Sniffer?