Networking Concepts Practice Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary terms covering networking hardware, software, protocols, and connection types based on the ICT1102 lecture transcript.

Network

A collection of computers, servers, network devices, or other devices connected to one another to allow the sharing of data and resources.

Communication Importance

Networks facilitate communication through email, video conferencing, and instant messaging, being as vital as air, water, and food.

Resource Sharing

Allows multiple devices to share printers, storage, and internet connections to reduce costs.

Centralized Data Management

Allows management of resources from a single point, resulting in enhanced security and organization.

PAN

Personal Area Network; commonly uses Bluetooth to connect devices like mice, keyboards, and phones.

LAN

Local Area Network; a wired network consisting of a switch and devices in a limited geographical area.

VLAN

Virtual LAN; groups users based on administratively defined boundaries like department or floor instead of physical location.

WLAN

Wireless LAN; connects multiple wireless devices using an access point.

WMN

Wireless Mesh Network; connects multiple wireless access points together to expand the overall network range.

MAN

Metropolitan Area Network; a network that spans a city.

WAN

Wide Area Network; a network that spans a large geographical area.

VPN

Virtual Private Network; a method of connecting to a private network across an unsecure public network.

Analog telephone access (dialup)

Uses an analog modem to call another modem to establish a connection.

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network; provides more bandwidth than dialup and can carry voice, video, and data.

Broadband

Uses different frequencies to send multiple signals over a single media.

DSL

Digital Subscriber Line; an always-on technology using phone lines with voice and data carried on different frequencies.

Fiber

High bandwidth connection used in backbone networks, data centers, and enterprise environments.

HFC

Hybrid Fiber Coaxial; a network where fiber is used in the last mile to the home, then switches to copper coaxial cable.

FTTP

Fiber to the Premises; brings fiber directly to the customer's building.

Line of sight wireless

An always-on technology using radio signals that requires a clear path and is affected by weather.

LEO Satellite

Low Earth Orbit satellites that support up to $100\,Mbps$ with latency between $100$ and $200\,ms$.

Mobile Hotspot

When a cell phone allows Wi-Fi devices to connect and use the mobile data network.

TCP

A reliable protocol that uses numbering, data tracking, acknowledgment of received data, and retransmission.

UDP

Best-effort delivery protocol that is unreliable and has very little overhead or data checking.

Bluetooth

A wireless protocol ($802.15.1$) that allows up to $7$ devices to create a PAN in the $2.4\,GHz$ to $2.485\,GHz$ range.

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification; uses passive or active tags to identify items within the $125\,MHz$ to $960\,MHz$ range.

NFC

Near Field Communication; requires devices to be in close proximity to exchange data for payments or printing.

LTE

Long Term Evolution; meets $4G$ standards and supports speeds up to $1\,Gb/s$ when stationary.

5G

Cellular generation supporting AR, VR, and smart devices with download speeds up to $3\,Gb/s$.

DHCP

A service that automatically assigns IP addressing information to hosts on a network.

DNS

A service that translates domain names like cisco.com into numeric IP addresses.

Print Server

Controls multiple printers and allows centralized print job administration and client access.

File Server Protocols

Includes FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and SCP for allowing clients to access files.

Web Server Protocols

Includes HTTP on TCP port $80$ and HTTPS (using SSL/TLS) on TCP port $443$.

SMTP

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol; the protocol used for sending email.

POP and IMAP

Protocols used by clients to retrieve email from a mail server.

Proxy Server

Acts on behalf of a client to hide the real internal host and cache frequently accessed web pages.

AAA Server

An authentication server used for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting to control network access.

Syslog Server

A server that stores network messages sent by various networking devices.

NIC

Network Interface Card; provides a computer with wired or wireless network connectivity.

Repeaters

Also called extenders; they regenerate the signal so it can be sent further.

Hub

A basic device that receives data on one port and sends it to all other ports.

Bridge

Divides a network into segments and tracks which device is on each segment.

Switch

An Ethernet device that records MAC addresses and sends data specifically to the destination device.

Router

Connects networks and uses IP addresses to forward traffic to other networks.

Firewall

Protects data and devices using Access Control Lists (ACLs) to permit or deny data.

IDS vs IPS

An Intrusion Detection System is passive monitoring, while an Intrusion Prevention System is active and takes action.

UTM

Universal Threat Management; an all-in-one security appliance providing firewall, IDS/IPS, VPN, and filtering services.

Patch Panel

A centralized place where network cables terminate and are connected via patch cables to other panels or switches.

Crimper

A tool used to securely attach an $RJ-45$ connector to a network cable.

UTP

Unshielded Twisted-Pair; most common cable type with four color-coded pairs, prone to EMI and RFI.

STP

Shielded Twisted-Pair; more expensive cabling that provides better protection against EMI and RFI.

SMF

Single-mode fiber; uses lasers to send one beam of light over long distances through a small core.

MMF

Multimode fiber; uses LEDs to send light at different angles through a larger core, supporting up to $10\,Gb/s$.