Cambridge IGSCE Computer Science 2nd Edition Unit 2 Vocab (part 1)

Packet

A small unit of data.

Packet Header

A section of a packet of data that contains information about the contents of the packet and its destination.

Internet Protocol (IP) address

The unique address that is given to a device when it is connected to a network.

Payload

The actual data that the user is sending to the receiver.

Trailer

A section of a packet of data that contains information about any error checking methods that may be used.

Packet Switching

A method of transmitting data packets across a network. Each data packet is able to take an individual pathway across the network.

Network

Computers and devices that are joined together using cables or wireless technology.

Router

A network component that examines a data packet to obtain its destination address and then forward the packet to this address.

Serial

A transmission method where data is sent one bit at a time down a single wire.

Parallel

A transmission method where data is sent multiple bits at a time down multiple wires.

Interference

Disruption, such as electromagnetism to data when it is transmitted.

Simplex

A transmission method where data is transmitted in a single direction only.

Half-duplex

A transmission method where data is transmitted in both directions, but only one direction at a time.

Full-duplex

A transmission method where data is transmitted in both directions at the same time.

USB

An industry standard that is used to transmit data.

USB Port

A socket that is part of a device or computer that enables you to insert a USB cable.

USB Connection

A collective name for using a USB cable plugged into a USB port to transfer data from one device to another.

USB Device

The name of a device that plugs into a USB port on a computer.

Ethernet

Another type of connection that can be used to transmit data within a network.