Network Fundamentals: Edge Servers, Cookies, and DNS

Vocabulary flashcards covering edge servers, networking delays, cookies, and DNS concepts drawn from the notes.

Edge server

A server located at the edge of a network that responds to client requests, reducing latency by serving content closer to users.

Queue

A waiting line where packets or requests are held before processing, which can cause delays when it is long.

Router

A network device that forwards bits of a packet toward its destination across networks.

Packet

A formatted unit of data transmitted over a network, consisting of headers and payload.

Packet delay

The time a packet takes to travel from source to destination, including various delay components.

Packet loss

The event where one or more packets fail to reach their destination.

Switchover

The process of switching to an alternate path or system, often for redundancy or performance.

Throughput

The average data rate at which useful data is successfully transmitted over a network.

RTT (Round-Trip Time)

The total time for a signal to go from source to destination and back.

Access network

The portion of the network that connects end users to the core network; high utilization can create bottlenecks.

Utilization

The fraction of available network capacity that is currently in use.

Server-side database

A database stored on the server used to track client requests and state information.

Unique identifier

A distinct value assigned to a client or session to identify it across requests.

Cookie

A small piece of data stored in a user’s browser to remember preferences and session state.

Cookie ID

The unique value assigned in a cookie to identify a user across requests and sessions.

Ad server

A service that serves advertisements, often tailored using user data collected from cookies and requests.

DNS root

The top level of the Domain Name System consisting of a group of root-name servers that initiate DNS resolution.

DNS

The Domain Name System that translates domain names into IP addresses.

Name servers

DNS servers responsible for resolving domain names within a DNS zone, organized across levels.

Hierarchical DNS structure

The multi-level organization of DNS, including root, top-level domain servers, and authoritative servers.

DNS request/response

The process by which a client queries DNS for a domain name and receives the corresponding IP address.

Speed (latency) goal

The objective to minimize delays and maximize fast delivery of content across the network.