Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer Networking — Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes.

Business Data Communications

Synonym for computer networking; the field focusing on data communications in business contexts.

Data network

A network that interconnects computers and devices to share data across campuses, ISPs, and homes.

Packetization

Process of breaking data into packets; each packet has a header and payload.

Header

Control information added to the front of a packet (e.g., addressing, sequencing).

Packet

A formatted unit of data for transmission, consisting of header and user data.

Five-layer TCP/IP stack

Practical model with Application, Transport, Network, Data-Link, and Physical layers; standard TCP/IP protocols combined with network technologies.

Application layer

Layer that handles user needs and application protocols (e.g., HTTP, SMTP).

Transport layer

Layer that guarantees data transfer; segmentation/reassembly; TCP provides reliability, UDP is best-effort.

Network layer

Layer that handles routing and addressing to identify destinations across networks.

Data-link layer

Layer ensuring error-free transmission over a single link; includes MAC addressing and framing.

Physical layer

Layer that transmits raw signals over the physical medium (cables, wireless).

OSI model

Open Systems Interconnection model; seven-layer reference framework for network communications.

TCP/IP model

Protocol suite that maps to a five-layer stack; the practical core of modern networks; includes TCP/IP and Ethernet.

Multiplexing

Technique to combine multiple signals/data streams for transmission over one medium.

Circuit switching

Dedicated end-to-end path established for a session; typically billed by the minute.

Packet switching

Data sent as packets routed independently; billed by data volume; supports bursty traffic.

Router

Device that forwards packets between networks using routing tables.

DNS

Domain Name System; translates domain names to IP addresses.

RFC

Requests For Comment; documents that define Internet standards.

IP

Internet Protocol; network-layer protocol that routes packets across networks.

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol; provides reliable, ordered delivery of a data stream.

UDP

User Datagram Protocol; connectionless, best-effort delivery with no guaranteed delivery.

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol; application-layer protocol for web resources.

SMTP

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol; protocol for sending email.

Ethernet

LAN technology; data-link layer standard widely used for local networks.

Baran 1964

Early concept of standardized message blocks to support multiple applications in packet networks.

Interconnected networks principle

Design principle that the Internet is a network of multiple independent networks that interoperate.

Burstiness

High variability in traffic; bursty data patterns; packet switching helps average demand across users.

Traffic aggregation

Consolidating traffic from multiple users to improve link utilization.

Destination address

Header field that specifies where the packet is intended to be delivered.

Sequence numbers

Header field used to order packets within a data flow.

Error check

Header field or mechanism that detects transmission errors and ensures integrity.

User data

Payload carried by the packet, representing the actual information from upper layers.

Layering

Organizing networking functionality into hierarchical layers to simplify design and processing of packets.

Segmentation

Process of splitting a data stream into smaller packets for transmission.