Computer Networks: Architectures, Topologies, and Components

Vocabulary flashcards covering peer-to-peer and client-server networks, geographical network categories (LAN, MAN, WAN), physical network topologies (Bus, Ring, Star), and primary network components.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network

A network architecture where devices are equal in permissions and capabilities, allowing each device to both request and provide services without central control.

Client-Server Network

A network architecture where dedicated high-capacity devices (servers) provide services and resources, and user devices (clients) request those services.

Advantages of Peer-to-Peer

Simple to configure and less expensive because it requires no specialized central devices or complex central administration.

Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer

Difficult to scale, hard to troubleshoot, and lacks central security management because every device can act as an independent entry point.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A high-speed network that spans a small, single geographical area such as a room, office, building, or university campus, managed by a single organization.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A network that is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, typically spanning the geographical area of an entire city or large organizational branches across a city.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A large-scale network spanning extensive geographical areas such as countries or international regions, formed by interconnecting hundreds of LANs.

Network Topology

The physical arrangement and layout of network nodes and transmission media showing how devices are interconnected visually and materially.

Bus Topology

A linear layout where all network nodes connect directly to a single shared communication cable without central connectivity devices like hubs or switches.

Ring Topology

A circular network layout where each device connects directly to the next, transmitting data in a single clockwise direction, where a single node failure can disable the entire network.

Star Topology

The most widely used layout where each network node connects independently to a central device, such as a switch or router, using twisted-pair or fiber-optic cables.

Hybrid Topology

A network configuration formed by integrating two or more different physical topology types together.

Client

A user computer or device on a network that initiates requests for resources, data, or services from another computer (the server).

Server

A specialized computer with superior processing power, larger RAM, and higher storage capacity designed to manage and share resources like files, printers, and databases with multiple clients.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

An internal hardware device in a computer that connects to transmission media (wired, wireless, or both) to enable communication with other network devices.

Network Operating System (NOS)

Specialized system software that manages network hardware components such as servers, switches, and routers, with examples including Unix and Windows Server 2003.