Computer Networks (3)

• Data communication is the transmission of data and information between two or more computers
• Data can be uploaded or downloaded. To upload is to send data from your computer to another computer on a network or internet. To download is to receive data to your computer from another computer via the network or internet
• point-to-point: a direct link between two computers in a network.
• Broadcast: using one computer to transmit data and information to serve several computers connected to it in a network.
• LAN: local area network. Link computers and peripheral devices within a small geographical area.
• WAN: Wide Area Network, a network that connects two or more networks over a large geographical area
• MAN: Metropolitan Area Networks are networks that connect a number of LANs and WANs together.
• Computers that are not networked are called stand-alone computers.
• WLAN: wireless local area network.
• Hub: A device that connects two or more networks together, allowing data to flow between them.
• File server: A server that stores files and makes them available to other computers on a network.
• Peer-to-peer: Each computer acts as a server to the other computers
• Star network: A network topology in which all devices are connected to a central device, such as a server or switch.
• Bus network: nodes are connected by a single cable, and data is sent along the cable.
• Ring network: network rings are in a ring
• The Internet: A network of networks that connects computers around the world.