CHAPTER 7 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS, THE INTERNET, AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

Network

Two or more connected computers.

Network Operating System (NOS)

Routes and manages communications on the network and coordinates network resources.

Server

Performs important network functions and sets the rules of communication for the network.

Switch

Filters and forwards data to a specified destination on the network.

Router

Used to route packets of data through different networks, ensuring delivery to the correct address.

Software-defined networking (SDN)

Centralized control of network traffic; beneficial in cloud environments for efficient data management.

Client/Server Computing

Distributed computing model in which some processing power is located within small, inexpensive client computers.

Packet Switching

Method of slicing digital messages into parcels called packets and sending them along different communication paths.

Protocol

Set of rules and procedures governing transmission of information between two points in a network.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

Handles the movement of data between computers.

Internet Protocol (IP)

Responsible for the delivery of packets and includes disassembling and reassembling packets during transmission.

Application layer

Enables access to the other layers and defines the protocols that apps use to exchange data.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

Used to transfer web page files.

Transport Layer

Provides the Application layer with communication and packet services.

Internet Layer

Responsible for addressing, routing, and packaging data packets called IP datagrams.

Network Interface Layer

Responsible for placing packets on and receiving them from the network medium.

Analog

Continuous signals for traditional voice communication.

Digital

Binary (on/off) signals used by computers.

Modem (Modulator-Demodulator)

Connects computer to the internet.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Connects computers within a limited area (up to 500 meters).

Campus Area Network (CAN)

Covers larger areas like a university or corporate campus (up to 1,000 meters).

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Spans a city or metropolitan area.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Covers global areas like broad regions, states, or continents.

Twisted Pair Wire

Common in LANs; supports 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps.

Coaxial Cable

Supports high-speed transmission; used in cable TV; up to 1 Gbps.

Fiber Optic Cable

High-speed, long-distance; used in network backbones; 500 Kbps to 6+ Tbps.

Wireless Transmission Media

Uses radio signals for long-distance, wireless communication; up to 600+ Mbps.

Bandwidth

Ranges of frequencies that can be accommodated on a particular telecommunications channel.

Internet

World’s largest client/server network connecting millions of networks.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Commercial organization with a permanent connection to the Internet that sells temporary connections to retail subscribers.

Internet Protocol (IP) Address

A 32-bit number represented by four strings of numbers ranging from 0 to 255 separated by periods.

Domain Name System

Converts domain names into IP addresses.

IPv6

New IP addressing system to accommodate more users.

Internet 2

Advanced networking consortium.

E-mail

Person-to-person messaging; document sharing.

Chatting and instant messaging

Interactive conversations.

Newsgroups

Discussion groups on electronic bulletin boards.

Telnet

Logging on to one computer system and doing work on another.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

Transferring files from computer to computer.

World Wide Web

Retrieving, formatting, and displaying information using hypertext links.

Voice over IP

Technology that delivers voice information in digital form using packet switching.

Unified Communications

Integrates multiple communication modes (e.g., voice, video, email).

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Secure, encrypted network using the public internet.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

HTTP + Domain Name.

3G Networks

144Kps speed.

4G Networks

Also called Long Term Evolution Networks (LTE); 100MG.

Wi-Fi

Local wireless connectivity for high-speed internet; 802.11.

Hotspots

One or more access points providing wireless internet access in a public place.

Bluetooth

Short-range wireless connection for devices.

WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)

Powerful enough to beam high-speed internet connections to distant rooftops.

RFID

Uses radio waves to identify and track items.

Active RFID tags

Powered by an internal battery; enable data modification.

Passive RFID tags

Obtain operating power from the radio frequency energy provided by the RFID reader.

Wireless Sensor Networks

Networks of interconnected wireless devices to provide measurements over large spaces.