Networking Revision Pack – Grade 11/12 Vocabulary Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic networking models, software evaluation, performance challenges, network topologies, emerging technologies, and security protocols based on the Grade 11/12 revision transcript.

Client-Server Model

A structure partitioning tasks between providers (servers) and service requesters (clients).

Cloud Computing

The delivery of computing services like servers, storage, and databases over the Internet.

Intranet

A private internal network restricted to an organization's employees.

Extranet

A private network that allows controlled access to authorized outsiders.

Database Services

Provides unified storage for records with real-time updates, such as bank balance updates across branches.

Email Servers

Manages sending, receiving, and storage of messages, such as Microsoft Exchange.

Collaboration Tools

Combines chat, video, and file sharing; examples include Microsoft Teams and Slack.

Scalability

The capacity for a system or network to grow and handle more users or data.

Encryption

Coding or transforming readable data so it can only be read by authorized parties.

Subscription Model

A recurring payment structure for ongoing software access.

Functionality

A pillar of software evaluation asking if the tool performs required tasks such as video, chat, and file editing.

Compatibility

A pillar of software evaluation that checks if software works with current hardware.

Reliability

A measure of how consistently a system or network stays functional and how often it crashes.

Support

A software evaluation factor considering if there is $24/7$ help available when things go wrong.

Interoperability

The ability of different systems to communicate and exchange data.

Middleware

Software acting as a bridge between an operating system and applications; acts as a translator between different systems.

Protocols

Rules governing the exchange or transmission of data between devices.

Virtualization

Creating a virtual version of a resource, like a server or operating system, running multiple VMs on one physical computer.

Open Standards

Ensures connectivity across different vendors.

Bandwidth

The maximum data transfer rate of a network.

Infrastructure

The physical hardware, cables, and foundation of the network.

Redundancy

Having a "Plan B" like duplicate links or failover systems to ensure network availability.

Sensitive Security Tier

High-level security used for government and banking environments.

$99\%$ Reliability

A level of uptime that still results in $3.65$ days of downtime per year.

Topology

The schematic description or arrangement of a network.

Physical Layout

The tangible map showing where cables run and hardware is mounted.

Logical Layout

The invisible map showing the path that data takes through a network.

Bus Topology

A network layout with a single central backbone; if the cable breaks, the network fails.

Star Topology

A layout where all devices connect to a central switch; fails if the central switch fails.

Full Mesh Topology

A layout where every node connects to every other node, providing maximum redundancy but at very high cost.

IoT (Internet of Things)

A network of everyday objects, such as sensors, that share data.

Edge Computing

Processing data close to where it is made instead of a far-away server, providing ultra-low latency.

SDN (Software-Defined Networking)

Using software to control an entire network from one central place.

Latency

The delay in data transfer; high in centralized cloud computing and ultra-low in edge computing.

Attack Surface

The total area of a network that is vulnerable to hackers, which grows as more IoT devices are connected.

Vulnerability

A weakness in a system that can be exploited by a threat.

Mitigation

The action of reducing the severity or seriousness of a risk.

Authentication

The process of verifying the identity of a user or device.

Ransomware

A type of malware that encrypts data and demands payment for decryption.

Trojan Horse

Malware disguised as legitimate software.

Phishing

Fake messages appearing to be from trusted sources used to steal credentials.

Social Engineering

Manipulating human psychology to gain confidential information.

DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service)

An attack that overwhelms a server with traffic to make it crash.

Firewall

A security strategy that filters incoming and outgoing traffic.

VPN

Creates an encrypted "tunnel" for data transmission.

MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)

Requires two forms of verification (password + code) and can stop $99.9\%$ of automated account takeover attacks.

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Rules defining permitted network usage, including prohibited actions, monitoring, and consequences.

Incident Report

A document detailing security breaches or system failures, including timestamp, scope, and severity.

Disaster Recovery

Large-scale plans to restore infrastructure after major failures, such as fire.

System Restoration

Small-scale recovery, such as getting back one missing file or one person's account.

Integrity Check

A step in the backup restoration process to ensure the backup is not corrupted or infected.