Week 1

ARPANET

The first packet-switching network, created by the U.S. Defense Department in 1969.

IPTO

Information Processing Techniques Office, a branch of ARPA that created ARPANET.

Packet Switching

A method used by ARPANET to send data in packets over a network.

MODEM

Modulator-Demodulator, software created in 1977-78 for data transmission.

Computer Bulletin Board System (BBS)

An early form of online messaging created in the late 1970s.

MILNET

A military network that split off from ARPANET for security reasons.

NSFNET

National Science Foundation Network, created in 1984 as a successor to ARPANET.

ISP

Internet Service Provider, established after the internet went private in 1990.

World Wide Web (WWW)

Created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991, the system of interlinked hypertext documents.

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

The standard markup language for documents designed to be displayed in a web browser.

Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP)

The protocol used for transferring hypertext requests and information on the internet.

Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)

Addresses used to access resources on the internet.

Netscape

The first widely-used web browser, created in 1993.

Telecommunication

The exchange of information over large distances.

Data Communications

The exchange of data between two or more devices.

Sender

The entity that transmits a message in data communication.

Message

The information or data being communicated in a network.

Receiver

The entity that receives the message in data communication.

Transmission Media

The physical pathway through which data is transmitted in a network.

Protocol

A set of rules governing the exchange of data between devices.

Binary

A data representation system that uses two symbols, typically 0 and 1.

RGB

A color model using red, green, and blue light to represent colors in images.

Simplex

A data flow mode where communication is one way only.

Half-duplex

A data flow mode that allows communication in both directions, but not simultaneously.

Full-duplex

A data flow mode that allows simultaneous communication in both directions.

Network

An interconnection of devices capable of communication.

Nodes

Devices within a network that can send, receive, or forward information.

Router

A device that forwards data packets between computer networks.

Switch

A networking device that connects devices in a LAN and uses MAC addresses to forward data.

Link

The physical or logical connection between nodes in a network.

Point-to-Point Connection

A direct connection between two devices.

Point-to-Multipoint Connection

A connection where one central device connects to multiple devices.

Mesh Topology

A network topology where every node is interconnected, providing high reliability.

Star Topology

A network topology with a central hub to which all nodes are connected.

Bus Topology

A network topology where all devices share a single communication line.

Ring Topology

A network topology where each device is connected to two other devices forming a ring.

Hybrid Topology

A combination of two or more different types of network topologies.

PAN

Personal Area Network, a small-scale network typically within a room.

LAN

Local Area Network, typically used in small offices or homes for connecting devices.

MAN

Metropolitan Area Network, covering larger geographic areas than a LAN.

WAN

Wide Area Network, covering broad areas like towns, countries, or regions.

Circuit-Switched Network

A network where all packets follow the same path, potentially wasting bandwidth.

Packet-Switched Network

A network where packets take different paths to reach their destination, optimizing bandwidth.

IETF

Internet Engineering Task Force, responsible for developing and promoting internet standards.

RFC

Request for Comment, a type of publication from the IETF for internet standards.

ISO

International Organization for Standardization, responsible for international standards in various industries.

ITU

International Telecommunication Union, develops standards for telecommunications.

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, responsible for standards in electrical and electronic technologies.