Appendix b networks and telecommunications

telecommunication system

Enables the transmission of data over public or private networks.

network

A communications system created by linking two or more devices and establishing a standard methodology for communication.

local area network (LAN)

Connects a group of computers in proximity, such as in an office building, school, or home.

wide area network (WAN)

Spans a large geographic area such as a state, province, or country.

metropolitan area network (MAN)

A large computer network usually spanning a city.

peer-to-peer (P2P) network

A computer network that relies on the computing power and bandwidth of the participants rather than on a centralized server.

client

A computer designed to request information from a server.

server

A computer dedicated to providing information in response to requests.

client/server network

A model for applications where the back-end processing occurs on a server, while front-end processing is handled by clients.

network operating system (NOS)

Operating system that runs a network, steering information between computers and managing security and users.

packet-switching

Occurs when a computer divides a message into packets, each containing the destination address.

network topology

Refers to the geometric arrangement of the physical organization of computers and other devices in a network.

protocol

A standard specifying the format of data and the rules during transmission.

interoperability

The capability of different computer systems to share data and resources, even if made by different manufacturers.

ethernet

A physical and data layer technology for LAN networking.

transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP)

Provides the technical foundation for the public Internet and many private networks.

Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6)

The next-generation protocol designed to replace Internet protocol version 4 (IPv4).

network transmission media

Refers to various types of media used to carry signals between computers.

wire media

Transmission material designed so signals will be confined to a narrow path.

twisted-pair cable

A type of cable composed of twisted copper wires within a plastic sheath.

coaxial cable

Cable that can carry a wide range of frequencies with low signal loss.

fiber optic (or optical fiber)

Technology for transmitting information as light impulses along glass fiber.

wireless media

Natural parts of Earth’s environment used as physical paths to carry electrical signals.