COMP 1: Internet Protocols and Basic Network Communication

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards based on the COMP 1 lecture on network communication, IP addressing, transport protocols, and diagnostic commands.

Network

A group of connected devices that can exchange data.

Node

Any device connected to the network, such as a laptop, phone, or printer.

Host

A device that sends or receives data, often with an IP address.

Bandwidth

How much data can pass through a connection at a time.

Latency

The delay before data reaches its destination.

PAN

Personal Area Network; covers personal devices such as a Bluetooth phone and headset.

LAN

Local Area Network; connects devices within a limited physical area like a computer lab or office.

WLAN

Wireless Local Area Network; a wireless local network such as a Wi-Fi network.

MAN

Metropolitan Area Network; a network covering a larger geographic region like a city-wide network.

WAN

Wide Area Network; connects locations across large geographical distances, such as internet-connected locations.

Switch

A network device that connects devices inside the same local network.

Router

A network device that connects networks together and usually acts as a gateway to the internet.

Modem

A device that connects a local network to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) line or service.

Access Point

A device that provides Wi-Fi so wireless devices can join the local network.

NIC

Network Interface Card or adapter; the physical or hardware component of a device that connects it to the network.

Packet

A small divided piece of a large message carrying addressing information to reach its destination.

IP Address

A logical address used to locate a device in a network that can change depending on network settings.

MAC Address

The hardware address of a network adapter that identifies the device interface inside the local network.

Private IP

An IP address used inside a local network, such as $192.168.1.15$.

Public IP

An IP address used on the internet side, usually assigned by an Internet Service Provider.

IPv4

An IP address format that uses $32\text{-bit}$ addresses.

IPv6

An IP address format that uses $128\text{-bit}$ addresses designed for a larger number of devices.

Port

A numerical identifier on a device used to direct network traffic to the correct service or application.

Port 80

The port number assigned for HTTP web traffic.

Port 443

The port number assigned for HTTPS secure web traffic.

Port 25/587

The port numbers assigned for sending email.

Port 22

The port number assigned for SSH remote login.

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol; a connection-oriented transport protocol that checks delivery and order for complete and correct data transfer.

UDP

User Datagram Protocol; a connectionless transport protocol designed for faster, lighter, and speed-prioritized communication.

DNS

Domain Name System; a protocol that finds the corresponding IP address from a domain name.

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol; automatically provides devices with network settings such as IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings.

HTTP / HTTPS

Protocols used to load websites and web applications.

SMTP / IMAP

Protocols used to send and receive emails.

FTP / SFTP

Protocols used for transferring files over a network.

SSH

Secure Shell; a protocol providing secure remote command-line access.

ICMP

Internet Control Message Protocol; used by ping and network diagnostics.

Client-Server Model

A communication architecture where a client requests data or services and a server responds with content or database results.

Gateway

The network device (usually the router) that traffic passes through when leaving the local network.

NAT

Network Address Translation; allows multiple private devices to share a single public IP address.

ipconfig

A Windows command-line utility that displays IP address, gateway, and network adapter information.

ping

A network command that checks if another device or website can respond.

nslookup

A network command that checks how DNS resolves a domain name into an IP address.