COMPUTER NETWORK:

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

PACKET:

A piece of a message transmitted over a packet-switching network. 

LOCAL AREA NETWORK:

A computer network that spans a relatively small area.

WIDE AREA NETWORK:

A smaller number of devices that can be many kilometers apart.

NODE:

Anything that is connected to the network. While a node is typically a computer, it can also be something like a printer or CD-ROM tower.

MEDIA ACCESS CONTROL:

The physical address of any device -- such as the NIC in a computer -- on the network.

IP ADDRESS:

 Internet Protocol (IP) address. An IP address is an identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network. 

BUS TOPOLOGY:

Each node is daisy-chained (connected one right after the other) along the same backbone, similar to Christmas lights. 

RING TOPOLOGY:

Like a bus network, rings have the nodes daisy-chained. The difference is that the end of the network comes back around to the first node, creating a complete circuit.

NETWORK TOKEN:

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.

STAR TOPOLOGY:

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.

TREE TOPOLOGY:

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.

PROTOCOL:

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

PEER-PEER ARCHITECTURE:

 A type of network in which each  workstation has equivalent capabilities and responsibilities.

CLIENT/SERVER ARCHITECTURE:

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

HUBS:

A network hub, is a common connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are devices commonly used to connect segments of a LAN.