Networking Fundamentals & Cisco IOS Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from the Cisco networking and OSI/TCP-IP fundamentals review notes.

Networking

The process of meeting people, building relationships, and sharing information to help each other grow professionally.

Client

A type of host that runs software to request and display information obtained from a server (such as a web browser).

Server

A computer with software that enables it to provide services or information (such as email or web pages) to other end devices on a network.

Peer-to-Peer Network

A network configuration where computers share resources directly without requiring a central dedicated server.

End Device

A device that acts as either the source or destination of a message transmitted over a network.

Intermediary Device

A device that connects individual end devices to a network or connects multiple networks to form an internetwork, ensuring data flows across the network.

Physical Topology Diagram

A diagram that illustrates the physical location of network devices and infrastructure.

Logical Topology Diagram

A diagram that illustrates device configurations, including port locations and the logical path of data on a network.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A hardware component that physically connects an end device to the network media.

LAN (Local Area Network)

A network infrastructure that provides access to users and end devices in a small geographical area, typically managed by a single organization.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A network infrastructure that interconnects LANs across large geographical areas, typically managed by service providers.

Intranet

A private network of LANs and WANs belonging to an organization, designed to be accessible only by its authorized internal members.

Network Access Relationship Diagram

A diagram depicting the concentric boundaries of accessibility between an Intranet (company only), an Extranet (suppliers, customers, collaborators), and the Internet (the world).

Converged Network

A network that delivers data, voice, and video traffic over the same unified network infrastructure.

Fault Tolerance

A network design characteristic that allows the network to continue operating during a failure by limiting affected devices and utilizing alternate paths.

Quality of Service (QoS)

A network management mechanism used to prioritize time-sensitive traffic (such as voice and video) during periods of high demand.

Scalability

The capacity of a network to expand and accommodate new users and applications without degrading performance for existing users.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

A concept enabling users to use their personal devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) to access a business or campus network.

Cloud Computing

A technology allowing users to store files, run applications, and access services over the internet rather than relying solely on local device hardware.

Cisco IOS

The Internetwork Operating System used on Cisco routers and switches to enable device hardware interaction and networking functionality.

CLI (Command-Line Interface)

A text-based interface where administrators type commands to configure and manage network devices, offering greater control than a GUI.

Console

A direct physical access connection to a Cisco device, primarily used for initial device setup and out-of-band troubleshooting.

SSH (Secure Shell)

A secure, encrypted remote access protocol used for managing network devices via CLI.

Telnet

An unencrypted remote access protocol used for CLI device management, considered insecure.

User EXEC Mode

The default Cisco IOS CLI mode, indicated by the '>' prompt, providing access to a limited set of basic monitoring commands.

Privileged EXEC Mode

An elevated Cisco IOS CLI mode, indicated by the '#' prompt, providing access to advanced monitoring, troubleshooting, management commands, and configuration modes.

Global Configuration Mode

A Cisco IOS command mode, indicated by the '(config)#' prompt, used to modify the overall device configuration.

service password-encryption

A Cisco IOS command used to encrypt plain-text passwords stored in the running configuration file.

Banner Message

A message displayed to users upon logging into a network device, configured with 'banner motd' to convey legal or security warnings.

Unicast

A one-to-one communication mode where a single sender transmits data to a single specific receiver.

Multicast

A one-to-many communication mode where a single sender transmits data to a designated group of receivers.

Broadcast

A one-to-all communication mode where a single sender transmits data to all devices present on the network.

Protocol Suite

A collective set of interrelating protocols that function together to enable network communications.

TCP/IP Protocol Suite

The primary standard suite of protocols used across the internet and modern networks, including TCP, IP, HTTP, DNS, DHCP, and Ethernet.

OSI Model

A 7-layer theoretical network framework comprising Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link, and Physical layers.

Encapsulation

The process of appending protocol headers and trailers to data as it moves down the network layers prior to physical transmission.

Decapsulation

The process where a receiving device removes headers and trailers from data as it travels up the network layers.

IP Address

A logical address assigned to identify a device and its host network for packet routing across networks.

MAC Address

The unique physical hardware address assigned to a network interface, used to deliver frames on a local network.

Subnet Mask

A component used by network devices to distinguish whether a destination IP address resides on the local network or a remote network.

Physical Layer

Layer 1 of the OSI model, responsible for transmitting raw bits across physical media using electrical, optical, or radio signals.

Encoding

The process of converting a stream of data bits into a predefined code or format for network transmission.

Signaling

The method of representing binary 1s and 0s physically over media using electrical voltage, light pulses, or radio waves.

Bandwidth

The data-carrying capacity of a network medium, typically measured in bits per second (bps).

Throughput

The actual volume of data transferred across a medium over a given timeframe.

Goodput

The amount of useful application data transferred across a network, excluding protocol overhead.

UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)

The most widely used copper network cabling, known for being inexpensive, easy to install, and supportive of Ethernet.

Crosstalk

Signal interference caused by electromagnetic fields of one wire affecting an adjacent wire, reduced by twisting wire pairs in UTP cable.

Crossover Cable

An Ethernet copper cable configuration used to connect like devices (e.g., Switch-to-Switch, Router-to-Router, PC-to-PC, Router-to-PC).

Straight-Through Cable

An Ethernet copper cable configuration used to connect unlike devices (e.g., Router-to-Switch, Switch-to-PC, Hub-to-PC).

RJ-45 Connector

The standard physical connector used to terminate UTP copper Ethernet cables.

Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)

A fiber-optic cable type with a small glass core designed for long-distance, high-bandwidth communication.

Multimode Fiber (MMF)

A fiber-optic cable type with a larger glass core designed for shorter-distance network links.

Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)

The standard technology standard defining Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communications.

Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15)

A short-range wireless communication standard used for personal device pairing.

WiMAX (IEEE 802.16)

A wireless standard designed to provide high-speed wireless broadband coverage across broad geographic regions.

Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4)

A low-power, low-data-rate wireless communication standard frequently utilized in Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)

A network that enables devices to connect and communicate wirelessly within a restricted coverage area such as a home, school, or office building.