Cisco Introduction to Networks (ITN) Modules 1-3 Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts across Modules 1, 2, and 3 of Introduction to Networks (ITN) v7.0.

Shell

The user interface that allows users to request specific tasks from a computer using CLI or GUI interfaces.

Kernel

The portion of an operating system that communicates between computer hardware and software, managing how hardware resources are used.

Hardware

The physical part of a computer, including underlying electronics.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A user interface environment utilizing graphical icons, menus, and windows to interact with a system.

Console

A physical management port used to access a network device for maintenance and initial configuration.

Secure Shell (SSH)

A protocol that establishes a secure, encrypted remote CLI connection to a network device over a virtual interface.

Telnet

An insecure protocol that establishes a remote CLI connection to a network device, transmitting authentication and commands in plaintext.

User EXEC Mode

The primary Cisco IOS command mode with limited basic monitoring commands, identified by a prompt ending with the > symbol.

Privileged EXEC Mode

The Cisco IOS command mode that allows access to all commands and features, identified by a prompt ending with the # symbol.

Global Configuration Mode

The Cisco IOS command mode used to access global configuration options for a device, identified by the (config)# prompt.

Line Configuration Mode

A subconfiguration mode used to configure console, SSH, Telnet, or AUX management access lines, identified by the (config-line)# prompt.

Interface Configuration Mode

A subconfiguration mode used to configure specific switch ports or router interfaces, identified by the (config-if)# prompt.

startup-config

The saved configuration file stored in non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) that retains device configuration commands upon startup or reboot.

running-config

The active configuration file stored in volatile RAM that reflects the current operating settings of a Cisco device.

Switch Virtual Interface (SVI)

A virtual interface configured on a switch (such as VLAN 1) with an IP address and subnet mask to allow remote device management.

Message Encoding

The process of converting information into another acceptable format for transmission across a network medium.

Flow Control

A message timing mechanism that manages the rate of data transmission, defining how much information can be sent and at what speed.

Response Timeout

A message timing rule that manages how long a device waits for a reply before taking corrective action.

Unicast

A one-to-one message delivery option where a transmission is sent from a single source to a single destination.

Multicast

A one-to-many message delivery option where a transmission is sent from a single source to a specific group of destination hosts.

Broadcast

A one-to-all message delivery option in IPv4 networks where a transmission is sent from a single source to all devices on the local network.

Protocol Suite

A group of inter-related protocols that work together across layered models to perform complex communication functions.

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

An open standards organization that develops, updates, and maintains internet and TCP/IP technologies.

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

A non-profit organization that coordinates IP address allocation, domain name management, and protocol identifier assignments.

Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)

A department of ICANN responsible for overseeing and managing IP address allocations, domain names, and protocol symbols.

Encapsulation

The top-down process where protocols at each layer of the TCP/IP or OSI model add headers or trailers to data passed down the stack.

De-encapsulation

The bottom-up process where receiving protocol layers strip off their respective headers and trailers as data moves up the stack.

Protocol Data Unit (PDU)

The specific form that a data package takes at each layer of the protocol stack during encapsulation (such as Data, Segment, Packet, Frame, and Bits).

Host

Any computer or end device connected to a network that participates directly in network communication by sending or receiving data.

Intermediary Device

A network device, such as a switch, router, or firewall, that connects end devices and manages data flow across a network.

Physical Topology Diagram

A network diagram that illustrates the physical locations of intermediary devices, ports, and cabling infrastructure.

Logical Topology Diagram

A network diagram that illustrates devices, ports, and the logical IP addressing scheme of a network.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A network infrastructure that interconnects end devices in a limited geographic area under a single administrative domain.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A network infrastructure that spans a broad geographical area, connecting multiple LANs typically via service providers.

Intranet

A private network consisting of LANs and WANs internal to an organization, accessible only by authorized members.

Extranet

An organizational network structure that provides secure access to external partners, suppliers, or collaborators.

Converged Network

A single unified network infrastructure capable of transmitting data, voice, and video traffic under common standards and rules.

Fault Tolerance

A network architecture characteristic that minimizes the impact of hardware or software failure by providing redundant paths for data.

Scalability

The capability of a network to expand quickly and easily to support new users and services without degrading existing performance.

Quality of Service (QoS)

A network management mechanism used to prioritize different traffic types (such as voice and video) to ensure reliable delivery.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

A technology trend that gives end users the flexibility to use personal devices to access organizational networks and applications.

Cloud Computing

A technology model enabling on-demand network access to shared computing resources, applications, and data storage hosted in remote data centers.