Networking and Computer Hardware Terms

Flashcards covering essential vocabulary related to networking and computer hardware.

Adapter

A device that allows hardware with incompatible interfaces to connect and communicate by converting one format or signal to another.

Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA)

An older standard interface used to connect storage devices like hard drives and optical drives.

Cat5e

An enhanced version of Ethernet cable category 5 that supports speeds up to 1 Gbps over 100 meters.

Cat6

A category of Ethernet cable that supports 1 Gbps up to 100 meters and 10 Gbps up to 55 meters.

Cat6a

An augmented version of Cat6 that supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters with better shielding.

Cat7

A shielded Ethernet cable supporting 10 Gbps, mainly used in data centers.

Cat8

A high-speed Ethernet cable supporting up to 40 Gbps over short distances (up to 30 meters).

Coaxial Cable

A type of electrical cable with a central conductor, used for cable TV and broadband internet.

Crossover Cable

An Ethernet cable with different wiring standards (T568A and T568B) on each end, used to connect similar devices directly.

DB9 Connector

A 9-pin D-sub connector used for legacy serial communication.

Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

A video connector available in several types (DVI-D, DVI-I, DVI-A) supporting digital and/or analog video.

DisplayPort

A digital video interface that supports high-definition video and audio; rectangular with one angled corner.

Ethernet

A family of wired networking technologies used for local area networks (LANs).

Expansion Card

A circuit board inserted into a motherboard slot to add functionality, such as video or sound.

F-type Connector

A threaded connector used with coaxial cables for cable TV or internet.

Fiber-Optic Cable

A data transmission medium that uses light instead of electricity, offering high bandwidth and long-distance capabilities.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

An expansion card that processes graphical data and outputs it to a display.. Also referred to as a video card

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

A connector for transmitting video and audio; commonly used for monitors and home theater devices.

Lightning Port

A proprietary Apple connector used for charging and data transfer on iPhones and iPads.

Lucent Connector (LC)

A small, latch-style fiber-optic connector often used in high-density patch panels.

MiniUSB

A compact USB connector used in older devices like cameras and game controllers.

Molex Connector

A 4-pin power connector used in older computer systems to power hard drives, fans, and optical drives.

Motherboard

The main circuit board of a computer, housing the CPU, RAM, and connectors for other components.

Multi-mode Fiber

A type of fiber-optic cable with a larger core, allowing multiple light signals over shorter distances.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A hardware component that allows computers to connect to networks via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)

An older expansion card standard used in legacy systems.

Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe)

A high-speed interface standard for modern expansion cards, with multiple lane configurations.

Plenum-Rated Cable

Cabling with a fire-resistant jacket used in air circulation spaces of buildings.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A hardware component that provides electrical power to the computer’s internal components.

Punchdown Block

A termination point for twisted-pair cabling where wires are inserted using a punchdown tool.

RJ11 Connector

A 4- or 6-pin connector used for telephone lines.

RJ45 Connector

An 8-pin connector used with Ethernet cabling.

Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)

A high-speed interface used to connect internal storage devices.

Single-mode Fiber

A type of fiber-optic cable with a small core for long-distance, high-speed communication.

Sound Card

An expansion card that improves a computer’s audio quality.

Straight-Through Cable

An Ethernet cable with the same wiring standard (T568A or T568B) on both ends.

Straight-Tip Connector (ST)

A round, bayonet-style fiber-optic connector.

Subscriber Connector (SC)

A square-shaped fiber-optic connector with a push-pull mechanism.

T568A

A wiring standard for Ethernet cables specifying a particular order of wire colors.

T568B

The most commonly used Ethernet wiring standard in commercial settings.

Thunderbolt

A high-speed cable standard that supports data, video, and power, using a USB-C connector.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

A common interface used to connect peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and drives.

USB 2.0

A USB standard offering moderate speed (up to 480 Mbps), usually with a black connector.

USB 3.0

A faster USB standard (up to 5 Gbps), usually marked with a blue connector.

USB-C

A reversible, oval-shaped connector that supports high-speed data, video, and power delivery.

Video Card

An expansion card that processes graphical data and outputs it to a display.

Video Graphics Array (VGA)

An analog video connector with 15 pins arranged in three rows, commonly colored blue.

Video Random Access Memory (VRAM)

Dedicated memory on a graphics card used for rendering images and video.

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)

A wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to the internet or other networks.

Wireless Network Interface Card (NIC)

A type of network card that connects a computer to wireless networks.