wired and wireless networks, protocols, and layers

• client:

  • a device that makes requests to a server for data and connections
• client-server:

  • a client makes requests to the server for data and connections
  • a server controls access and security to one shared file store
• dns:

  • domain name system
  • made up of multiple domain name servers
  • matches the url of a website into an ip address of a web server
• hosting:

  • website stored on dedicated servers
  • reasons: websites need to be available all the time, accessed by thousands of users at a time
• lan:

  • local area network
  • covers a small geographical area
  • all hardware for lan is owned by the organization using it
• mesh network topology:

  • nodes connected so there is more than one route to the destination
  • example: smart home systems
• network:

  • two or more computers that are connected together for the purpose of communicating data
• nic:

  • network interface card
  • a hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network
• peer-to-peer:

  • all computers on the network are equal
  • computers share their own files with each other
  • each computer is responsible for its own security and backup
  • computers usually have their own printer
• router:

  • a device for connecting devices on a wide area network
• star network topology:

  • a network topology in which all devices are connected to a central device, such as a server or switch
• switch:

  • connects devices on a local area network
  • uses the mac address to route traffic to the correct connected device
• the cloud:

  • remote servers that store data
  • can be accessed anytime by any device as long as there is an internet
  • automatic backup
  • need a login
• transmission media:

  • the physical media over which data is transmitted
  • example: fiber optic cables, copper cables
• wan:

  • wide area network
  • over a large geographical area
  • infrastructure hired from telecommunication companies who own and manage it
• wap:

  • wireless access point
  • networking hardware that allows a wifi device to connect to a wired network
• web server:

  • a server that hosts websites