Definition: A network is a group of computers connected together in a way that allows information to be exchanged between the computers

Term: Computer Network

Term: Packet

Definition: A packet is a small portion of a larger message. IP packets are 32 bits long.

Term: LAN

Definition:  Local area network (LAN) technologies connect many devices that are relatively close to each other, usually in the same building

Term: WAN

Definition:  Wide area network (WAN) technologies connect a smaller number of devices that can be many kilometers apart.

Term: Node

Definition:  A node is anything that is connected to the network. 

Term: Media Access Control Address (MAC)

Definition: This is the physical address of any device. The MAC address, which is made up of two equal parts, is 6 bytes long. The first 3 bytes identify the company that made the NIC. The second 3 bytes are the serial number of the NIC itself.

Term: IP Address

Definition: An IP address is an identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network

Term: Bus topology

Definition: Bus topology is a specific kind of network topology in which all of the various devices in the network are connected to a single cable or line. 

Term: Ring Topology

Definition: A ring network is a network topology in which each node connects to exactly two other nodes, forming a single continuous pathway for signals through each node 

Term: Network Token

Definition:  In networking, a token is a special series of bits that travels around a token-ring network. As the token circulates, computers attached to the network can capture it. The token acts like a ticket, enabling its owner to send a message across the network. There is only one token for each network, so there is no possibility that two computers will attempt to transmit messages at the same time.

Term: Star Topology

Definition: In a star network, each node is connected to a central device called a hub. The hub takes a signal that comes from any node and passes it along to all the other nodes in the network. A hub does not perform any type of filtering or routing of the data. It is simply a junction that joins all the different nodes together.

Term: Tree Topology

Definition: A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable.

Term: protocol

Definition: An agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices. 

Term: Peer to Peer architecture

Definition:  a type of network in which each workstation has equivalent capabilities and responsibilities

Term: Client Server Architecture

Definition:  a network architecture in which each computer or process on the network is either a client or a server.