The OSI Model and Networking Fundamentals

Vocabulary practice covering networking devices, IP addressing, the 7 layers of the OSI model, and Ethernet cabling standards.

Hosts

Any device that sends or receives traffic on a network.

Client

A category of host that initiates requests in a communication.

Server

Computers with software installed that responds to specific requests.

IP Address

An identity for each host consisting of $32$ bits, represented as four octets.

Bit

A value of either $1$ or $0$.

Network

A transport for traffic between hosts and a logical grouping of hosts which require similar connectivity.

Sub-Networks (Subnets)

Networks that are contained within other networks.

Repeater

A device that regenerates signals to allow communication across greater distance.

Hub

A device that acts as a multi-port repeater.

Bridge

A device with only two ports that sits between Hub-connected hosts and learns which hosts are on each side.

Switch

A combination of Hubs and Bridges with multiple ports that learns which hosts are on each port to facilitate communication within a network.

Router

A device that facilitates communication between networks and provides a traffic control point for security, filtering, and redirecting.

Gateway

The path or way out for each host from their local network.

International Standards Organization (ISO)

An organization that established a set of rules for communication and interaction between networks.

OSI Model

Open systems interconnection; a reference model that divides the rules of networking into $7$ Layers.

The 7 Layers of the OSI Model

Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.

Physical Layer

The layer responsible for transporting bits, where computer data exists in the form of Bits ($1$'s & $0$'s).

CAT5 UTP cable

Category $5$ Unshielded Twisted Pair cable; an Ethernet cable consisting of four twisted pairs of copper wires without additional shielding.

TIA/EIA

An organization that develops standards for telecommunications infrastructure, equipment, and systems to ensure compatibility and quality.

TIA/EIA-568-B

A cabling standard providing guidelines for structured cabling systems, cable categories, termination practices, and performance specifications.

T568 Standards

Part of the TIA/EIA-$568$-B series that define pin assignments for twisted-pair cables used in Ethernet connections, featuring variants T568A and T568B.