Networking Essentials 3.0 - Module 1 Reviewer

Flashcards covering Network Types, Data Transmission methods, switching techniques, digital units, bandwidth, and the OSI/TCP-IP models.

Internet

A worldwide collection of interconnected networks cooperating to exchange information using common standards; it is not owned by any individual or group.

PAN (Personal Area Network)

A small network used for personal devices like smartphones and tablets, typically covering a range of $1-10\,meters$.

LAN (Local Area Network)

A network within a small area such as a home, office, or building using switches, routers, and Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A city-wide network that spans a city or a large campus, often used by businesses or government institutions.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A network covering a broad geographic area, often connecting multiple LANs; the Internet is the largest example.

WLAN (Wireless LAN)

A local area network that uses wireless communication (Wi-Fi) instead of cables.

SAN (Storage Area Network)

A specialized high-speed network providing access to consolidated block-level data storage.

SOHO networks

Small Office or Home Office networks that allow sharing of resources like printers and documents between a few local users.

Data transmission

The process of sending digital or analog data from one device to another over a communication medium like cables, fiber optics, or airwaves.

Protocol

The set of rules that control data formatting and exchange, such as TCP/IP.

Packets

The small units into which data is broken before transmission, containing source and destination addresses, error checking, and sequencing info.

Circuit switching

A communication method where a dedicated communication path is established between two devices for the entire duration of the connection.

Packet switching

A method where data is divided into packets transmitted individually over shared network resources and reassembled at the receiver.

Bit

Short for binary digit, it is the smallest unit of data in computing with two possible values: $0$ (off) or $1$ (on).

Byte

A group of $8\,bits$ used to represent letters, numbers, and special characters.

ASCII

A commonly used code where each character is represented by eight bits.

Electrical signals

Transmission achieved by representing data as electrical pulses or voltage changes through a conductor, typically copper wire.

Optical signals

Transmission achieved by converting electrical signals into light pulses through fiber optic cables.

Wireless signals

Transmission achieved by using infrared, microwave, or radio waves through the air.

Serial Transmission

Data sent bit by bit, one after the other over a single communication line.

Parallel Transmission

Multiple bits sent simultaneously using multiple channels or wires; faster for short distances but prone to interference.

Asynchronous Transmission

Data sent one byte at a time with start and stop bits to signal the beginning and end of each byte.

Synchronous Transmission

Data sent in continuous blocks called frames, with the sender and receiver synchronized by a clock signal.

Simplex

A mode of data transmission that is one-way only.

Half-Duplex

Two-way data transmission, but only one direction at a time.

Full-Duplex

Two-way, simultaneous communication between devices.

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given amount of time, measured in bits per second ($bps$).

Throughput

The actual amount of data successfully transmitted over a network in a specific time, often less than the bandwidth.

Latency

The time, including delays, for data to travel from one given point to another, measured in milliseconds ($ms$).

Physical Layer (OSI)

The layer concerned with the physical interface between devices, including mechanical, electrical, functional, and procedural characteristics.

Data Link Layer (OSI)

Responsible for activating, maintaining, and deactivating a reliable link, including error detection and control.

Network Layer (OSI)

Handles the transport of information and routing across multiple networks without higher layers needing to know the underlying technology.

Transport Layer (OSI)

Ensures the reliable, error-free, and in-sequence exchange of data between end systems with no losses or duplicates.

Session Layer (OSI)

Controls dialogues between applications including dialogue discipline, grouping, and recovery.

Presentation Layer (OSI)

Manages data formats, coding, data compression, and encryption.

Application Layer (OSI)

Provides the means for user applications to access the OSI environment.

Internet Layer (TCP/IP)

Handles routing functions across multiple networks and is implemented in end systems and routers.