Ethernet specification for thin coaxial cable, transmits signals at 10 Mbps (megabits per second). Maximum distance of 185 meters per segment. (Obsolete)
Ethernet specification for thick cable. Transmits signals at 10 Mbps (megabits per second). Maximum distance of 500 meters per segment. (Obsolete)
Ethernet specification for Fiber Optic cable. Transmits signals at 10 Mbps (megabits per second). Maximum distance 1.2 miles.
Ethernet specification for unshielded twisted pair cable (category 3, 4, or 5) that is used to transmit data at 10 Mbps (megabits per second). Maximum distance of 100 meters per segment.
Cell switching technology designed to support voice, data, and video using a common cell format for LAN’s and WAN’s.
Proprietary suite of protocols designed by Apple, Inc. for networking computers.
Attachment Unit Interface – 15 pin connector found on Ethernet cards that is used to attach coaxial, fiber optic or twisted pair cable.
A cable to which multiple nodes or workstations are attached.
Digit in the binary numbering system. Its value can be 0 or 1. In an 8-bit character scheme it takes 8 bits to
make a byte (character) of data.
Standard connector used to connect coaxial cable.
Device that connects and passes packets between two network segments that use the same communication
protocol.
see Linear Bus
Copper wire or optical fiber wrapped in a protective cover – part of the physical layer of a network.
Networking system where a centralized file server provides services to other workstations (clients) on the network. Services can include network management, centralized data storage, program storage etc.
Is a network access method in which each device signals its intent to transmit before it actually does so. This prevents other devices from sending information, thereby preventing collisions of signals between two or more devices. This is used in Local Talk networks.
Is a network access method in which devices check the channel for availability prior to transmitting. If no signal is detected the device can transmit. If two devices transmit at the same time, a collision occurs and both devices are notified. They then wait a random amount of time before retransmitting. This is the method used by Ethernet.
Cable with a single copper conductor in center, surrounded by a layer of flexible insulation, which is then covered by woven copper braid or metallic foil. There are two types of coaxial thicknet and thinnet. Coaxial must be grounded properly or electrical noise and interference are an issue.
Hardware that acts as a central connection point for cables from workstations and servers on the network. Typically a concentrator amplifies the electrical signal it receives, allowing the transmission to go a greater distance.
A network protocol that uses CSMA/CD and is run over a variety of cable types (typically unshielded twisted pair) at 10 Mbps. (megabits per second).
Network protocol that supports transmission speeds of 100 Mbps using category 5 twisted pair or fiber optic cables.
A cable consisting of a central core made of glass or plastic fibers, surrounded by a plastic coating for cushioning, and a Kevlar layer to add strength. Then an outer insulating layer of Teflon or PVC is added. Fiber optic cable transmits over longer distances and is capable of greater speeds than twisted pair and coaxial.
A computer on a network that contains stores network software and other software shared by the computers on the network.
Used to transfer files on the Internet.
A term describing technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second.
One billion bytes of information. One thousand megabytes.
Internet based protocol for sending and receiving web pages.
A hardware device for connecting multiple twisted pair or fiber optic Ethernet devices together to form a
single network segment.
Network internal to an organization that uses Internet protocols.
Global network of LAN networks used to exchange information using TCP/IP protocol.
Part of the Network layer that routes data from one computer to another. IP and IPX are the most common protocols.
A network connecting com-puters in a relatively small area such as a building.
A network topology in which each node attaches directly to a common cable (backbone).
Network protocol originated by Apple Computers for Macintosh Computers.
The unique physical address assigned to every network device (computer, printer, interface card, etc.) The MAC address for a device cannot be changed.
A network connecting computers over a large area such as a campus or city. MANs usually interconnect a number of LANs.
A device that modulates and demodulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information.
A device that selects analog or digital input signals and forwards into a single signal.
A modem connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) that is accessible from any workstation on the network.
Board that provides network communication capabilities to and from a computer.
The Network Layer refers to OSI Layer 3. This layer is responsible for routing data from one computer
to another IP and IPX are the most common network layer protocols.
Operating system designed to pass information and communicate between more than one computer, ex. Windows, Apple Share, Novell, NetWare.
Aany device attached to a network, such as servers, workstations, printers.
Reference model defines seven layers of networking protocols. Because of the close relationship between the layers they are typically treated as 4 layers. Application/Presentation/Session; Transport; Network; Data Link/Physical.
The physical layout of the network – the arrangement of cables and how the computers/nodes are connected.
Connection point for a cable.
A formal description of rules and conventions that governs how devices on a network exchange information.
The working memory of a computer where data and programs are temporarily stored while the computer is on.
A device used in a network to strengthen a signal as it is passed along a network cable.
Standard connectors used for unshielded twisted pair cable. RJ-45 resembles telephone-style connector. RJ
stands for Registered Jack alluding to telephone industry origin.
Device that passes information between connected networks. It selects the best path and translates
the information from one network to another. It is similar to a bridge, but with more capability.
Interface controller that allows several peripherals to be connected to the same port on a computer.
A section of cable on a network. In Ethernet networks there are two types of segments, a trunk segment and a link segment. Trunk segments have more than one node attached, where as link segments connect a computer to an interconnecting device such as a repeater or concentrator, it links two interconnecting devices together.
Rate that information travels through a network. Typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
Network configuration where each node in the network is linked directly to a central switch or concentrator.
Like UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair, STP has four pair of wires twisted with varying number of twists to reduce interference. To further shield the cable from interference each pair is also shielded with foil, and all four pair are wrapped in a metallic braid or foil.
A hub that sends packets of information to designated ports only, rather than all computers on the network.
The Transport Layer is layer 4 of the OSI Reference Model for networking protocols. The Transport layer is tasked to efficiently transport data packets on the network. TCP is the most popular protocol for transport.
TCP is the most common protocol for Transport and is paired with IP protocol for network communication. SPX paired with IPX is also common.
A resistor (50 ohms) used on thin Ethernet cables (10Base2) to terminate cable end points.
Thick coaxial cable has a protective plastic cover to keep moisture away from center conductor. Generally used for special purpose installations, or as backbone in linear bus network.
Thin coaxial was used in Ethernets however issues with improper grounding have almost eliminated its use for Ethernet networks.
Packet that carries data between each computer on a ring topology. The token stops at each node on the network to collect or deliver data, then moves on to the next in a circular pattern.
Network protocol where computers are connected so signal travels around the network in a circle/ring, with an electronic “token” moving around the ring carrying data from computer to computer.
The physical topology of a network is the configuration of cables, computers and peripherals. The logical topology is the method used to pass information in a network. Logical topologies are also known as Protocols.
Transmitter/Receiver – a device that receives and sends signals over a medium. In networks it is commonly used to allow a connection between two different types of cable connectors.
LAN topology that is a cross between a linear bus and a star topology. It contains a backbone similar to the bus topology, however rather than individual nodes branching from the backbone there are stars attached to the backbone.
Cabling that consists of four pair of wires, each pair is twisted with varying number of twists to reduce interference. Available shielded (STP) and unshielded (UTP).
A hardware interface for peripherals such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner etc.
Has eight wires twisted in pairs with varying number of twists. More susceptible to electrical noise and shorter distance between signal boosts compared to other networking media.
A network that covers very large areas geographically including states, countries, world.
A collection of workstations and servers on a LAN that setup to communicate and exchange information
with each other.
Computer connected to a network.