BNCS1103: Fundamentals of Networking Theory - Chapter 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering computer network fundamentals, history, topologies, standards, and the evolution of the internet.

First Generation Computers

Computers from $1940$-$1956$ that used vacuum tubes, such as the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC).

Second Generation Computers

Computers from $1956$-$1963$ that were characterized by the use of transistor circuits.

Third Generation Computers

Computers from $1964$-$1971$ that utilized integrated circuit based hardware.

Fourth Generation Computers

Computers from the $1970s$ to the present that are built using microprocessor technology.

Fifth Generation Computers

Present and future computers based on artificial intelligence.

Computer Network

A set of devices (nodes) connected by wired or wireless communication links.

Node

A computer, printer, or any other device capable of sending and/or receiving data on a network, identified by a unique address.

Fault tolerance

The ability of a network to continue working despite failure, ensuring no loss of service.

Scalability

The ability of a network to grow based on needs while maintaining good performance; the internet is described as the most scalable network.

Quality of Service (QoS)

The management of data traffic to reduce data loss and delays.

Security

The ability to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, or forgery of data, providing confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Network Topology

The manner in which network devices are arranged and connected to each other.

Bus Topology

A configuration where all devices are connected to a central cable called a backbone via drop lines and taps.

Drop Line

A connection running between a network device and the main backbone cable in a bus topology.

Tap

A connector that either splices into the main cable or punctures the sheathing to create contact with the metallic core.

Ring Topology

A closed loop arrangement where all devices are connected to each other and traffic is unidirectional.

Mesh Topology

A fault-tolerant LAN setup where every computer connects to every other computer, allowing data to be rerouted if a path fails.

Point-to-point connection

A type of network connection providing a dedicated link between two specific devices.

Multipoint connection

A network connection where more than two specific devices share a single link.

Ad-hoc mode

A wireless topology also called peer-to-peer or Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS), where clients communicate directly without a central access point.

Infrastructure mode

The most common wireless connection method where clients connect to a Wireless Access Point (WAP) using an SSID.

Service Set Identifier (SSID)

The name used by wireless clients to identify and connect to a specific access point.

Client-Server Model

A networking model involving requests from a client process and replies from a server process.

De facto Standards

Standards that are widely adopted through use and market demand without a formal plan, such as the Android OS.

De jure Standards

Standards adopted through the rules of formal standardization bodies or mandated by law.

Open Source

Software whose source code is freely available for reference, debugging, modification, and extension.

Closed Standard

A proprietary file format or protocol owned by a single company, such as Apple's iOS, which reduces interoperability.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

The organization responsible for coordinating and publishing computer and information technology standards in the United States.

$$802.11a$$

A WiFi standard working on $5\,GHz$ with a speed of $54\,Mbps$, though it has difficulty passing through obstacles.

$$802.11b$$

A WiFi standard working on $2.4\,GHz$ with speeds up to $11\,Mbps$.

$$802.11g$$

A WiFi standard working on $2.4\,GHz$ with an increased maximum speed of $54\,Mbps$.

$$802.11n$$

A dual-band WiFi standard working at both $2.4\,GHz$ and $5\,GHz$ with speeds up to $600\,Mbps$.

$$10BASE-5$$

The original $802.3$ Ethernet standard using thick coaxial cable with a maximum length of $500\,meters$ and throughput of $10\,Mbps$.

$$10BASE-2$$

The IEEE $802.3a$ standard for thin coaxial cable with a maximum length of about $200\,m$ and throughput of $10\,Mbps$.

$$10BASE-T$$

The IEEE $802.3i$ standard using unshielded twisted pair (UTP) copper wires as the physical layer medium.

$$100Base-FX$$

An Ethernet standard for speeds up to $100\,Mb$ that uses fiber optic cable instead of UTP.

Intranet

A private computer network or website used within an organization to share data with employees, requiring authentication like passwords.

Extranet

A private network extended to users outside a company, such as business partners or customers, while still requiring authentication.

ARPANET

A project by the Advanced Research Projects Agency in the mid-$1960s$ designed to connect computers in research organizations to share findings.

Internet Protocol (IP)

The part of the TCP/IP suite responsible for handling datagram routing.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

The part of the TCP/IP suite responsible for high-level functions like segmentation, reassembly, and error detection.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The technology that turns common appliances and home systems into smart devices controlled over the Internet.