computer networks, connections and protocols

• Network

  Two or more computers connected together for the purposes of sharing data or resources.
• LAN (Local Area Network)

  A network which covers a small geographic area such as a single building.
• WAN (Wide Area Network)

  A network which covers a large geographic area.
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  Client - Server

  A network setup where resources or processing are carried out by a

  central computer (called a server) with other devices (called clients) accessing resources via the network.
• Peer to Peer

  A network setup where all computers have an equal status and function as both client and server.
• Wireless Access Point

  Uses a wireless radio to allow devices to connect wirelessly to an existing network.
• Router

  A device which connects two or more different networks together allowing them to communicate with one another.
• Switch

  A device which provides computers and other devices with a wired connection to a network.
• NIC (Network Interface Card)

  A component within a computer or other device which allow it to connect to a network. The card provides the physical connection to the network and controls the sending and receiving of data between the computer and the network. It may be built into the computer motherboard or a separate

  expansion card.
• Transmission Media

  The physical connection which carries data between network devices. This could be a cable or wireless signals depending on the network.
• DNS (Domain Name System)

  A system which links a URL or other human readable name with an IP address.
• Hosting

  The storing of files or other data on a server. The server storing the data is called the host.
• The Cloud

  A term for accessing storage or other resources remotely across The Internet.
• Web Server

  A server which hosts web sites and pages for users to access, usually via The Internet.
• Network Topology

  The way in which computers and other network devices are connected together.
• Star Network

  A network topology where all devices connect back to a single central point. All communications travel via the central point.
• Mesh Network

  A network topology where all devices are connected to each other rather than a central point.
• Bandwidth

  The amount of data which can be transferred via a network in any given

  time. More bandwidth allows more data to travel across the network at the same time resulting in faster transfer speeds.
• The Internet

  A global network connecting millions of computers and other devices.
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  URL

  Uniform Resource Locator. A human readable name given to websites

  and other Internet resources. DNS is used to translate the URL into the IP of the web server.
• Client

  A computer or other device which accesses data from a central server.
• Ethernet

  A physical copper cable used to connect devices on a network. The term also refers to the protocols and standards used to control how data is

  sent and received on the cable.
• Wi-Fi

  A technology which uses wireless signals to connect network devices.
• Bluetooth

  A short range wireless networking technology. It has relatively low range and speeds and is most often used for peripheral devices such as mice

  or headsets.
• Encryption

  The process of converting data so that it cannot be easily read or understood without first being decrypted. It is often used to keep important data secure when sharing it over a network.
• IP Address

  Stands for Internet Protocol Address. A unique address assigned to every computer on a network.
• IPv4

  Internet Protocol Version 4. Devices are assigned addresses made up of four numbers separated by dots, e.g. 232.112.11.1 each number can be

  between 0 and 255.
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  IPv6

  Internet Protocol Version 6. Designed in response to the limited number of addresses in IPv4. Devices are assigned an address made of eight groups of hexadecimal characters such as

  FE80:CD00:0000:0CDE:1257:0000:211E:729C
• MAC Address

  Media Access Control Address. A 12 digit hexadecimal number assigned to a network interface card. Each card has its own unique MAC addressed assigned when the card is made.
• Standard

  An agreed way of doing something allowing different people and organisations to make products and services which work together.
• Protocol

  An agreed set of rules for how network communications should take place.
• TCP/IP

  Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. A group of standards which control how data is sent and received over networks including the

  Internet.
• HTTP

  Hypertext Transfer Protocol. A standard for transferring web pages between a client and web server. It is based around the idea that clients send a request which the server responds to.
• HTTPS

  Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. A version of the HTTP standard with security added. Commonly used for accessing secure websites such as online banking.
• FTP

  File Transfer Protocol. A standard for file transfer over networks.
• POP

  Post Office Protocol. A standard used by email clients to retrieve emails from an email server.
• IMAP

  Internet Message Access Protocol. A standard used by email clients to access emails stored on an email server. It has the advantage over POP

  of allowing emails to be stored and organised on the mail server.
• SMTP

  Simple Message Transfer Protocol. A standard used for the sending of emails over networks and The Internet.