Chapter 7 Notes
Terms
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- 10Base-T
- An Ethernet network standard that uses twisted-pair wires to achieve data transfer speeds of up to 10 Mbps.
- 100Base-T
- An Ethernet network standard, also known as Fast Ethernet. 100Base-T uses the same media and topology as typical Ethernet, but uses different network interface cards to achieve data transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
- application server
- A network server that hosts shared application files, enabling multiple users to use a network version of a software program.
- Attached Resource Computer Network (ARCnet)
- A LAN network standard that uses twisted-pair wire or coaxial cable to achieve data-transfer speeds of up to 20 Mbps.
- Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
- A network protocol designed to send voice, video, and data transmissions over a single network. ATM provides different kinds of connections and bandwidth on demand, depending on the type of data being transmitted.
- bandwidth
- The amount of data that can be transmitted over a network; measured in bits per second (bps).
- banner page
- A special page printed between multiple print jobs, enabling users to differentiate among different print jobs that have been spooled to the same network printer. Banner pages are automatically printed by the network software.
- bits per second (bps)
- A measure of modem transmission speed.
- bridge
- A device that connects two LANs and controls data flow between them.
- bus network
- A network topology in which all network nodes and peripheral devices are attached to a single conduit.
- circuit-switched line
- A type of communications line in which access to the connection is constant until broken by either party. Circuit-switched lines are commonly used for telephone or modem transmissions.
- client/server network
- A hierarchical network strategy in which the processing is shared by a server and numerous clients. In this type of network, clients provide the user interface, run applications, and request services from the server. The server contributes storage, processing, and printing services.
- coaxial cable
- A cable composed of a single conductive wire wrapped in a conductive wire mesh shield, with an insulator in between.
- data communications
- The electronic transfer of data between computers
- direct connection
- One means of connecting multiple computers to one another, as in a network. In a direct connection, the computers are connected directly to one another by cables and network interface cards.
- distributed computing
- A system configuration in which two or more computers in a network share applications, storage, and processing power; also called distributed processing.
- downloading
- Retrieving a file from a remote computer; the opposite of uploading.
- electronic mail (e-mail)
- A system for exchanging written, voice, and video messages through a computer network.
- error-correction protocol
- A standard for correcting errors that occur when static interferes with data transmitted over telephone lines; examples include MNP2, MNP3, MNP4, and V42.error-correction protocol A standard for correcting errors that occur when static interferes with data transmitted over telephone lines; examples include MNP2, MNP3, MNP4, and V42.
- Ethernet
- The most common network protocol, which usually is implemented using twisted-pair wires. Ethernet requires each computer on the network to take its turn to send data.
- external modem
- A communications device used to modulate data signals. This type of device is described as "external" because it is housed outside the computer and connected to the computer through a serial port and to the telephone system with a standard telephone jack.
- Fast Ethernet
- A networking technology, also known as 100Base-T, that uses the same network cabling scheme as Ethernet but uses different network interface cards to achieve data transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps
- fax modem
- A modem that can emulate a fax machine.
- Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL)
- A storage protocol that enables multiple computers to share storage media. FC-AL provides a large bandwidth to allow large amounts of data (up to 100Mbps) to be shared
- fiber-optic cable
- A thin strand of glass wrapped in a protective coating. Fiber-optic cable transfers data by means of pulsating beams of light.
- file server network
- A hierarchical network strategy in which the server is used to store and forward files to the nodes. Each node runs its own applications
- file transfer
- The process of sending a file from one computer to another by modem.
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
- A set of rules or guidelines that dictates the format in which data is sent from one computer to another.
- full duplex
- The ability to send and receive data simultaneously over a common data path or communications link.
- gateway
- A computer system that can translate one network protocol into another so that data can be transmitted between two dissimilar networks.
- groupware
- Application software that enables multiple users on a network to cooperate on projects. Groupware suites usually include scheduling and calendar software, e-mail, and document-management tools.
- half-duplex
- The ability to send or receive data—but not do both simultaneously—over a common data path or communications link.
- information superhighway
- The vast communications link that will allow access to government, industry, and educational data banks for all users. The information superhighway is similar to the Internet but will provide a single high-speed link in place of a network of systems.
- Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
- A digital telecommunications standard that replaces analog transmissions and transmits voice, video, and data.
- internal modem
- A communications device used to modulate data signals. This type of modem is described as "internal" because it is a circuit board that is plugged into one of the computer's expansion slots.
- local area network (LAN)
- A system of PCs located relatively near to one another and connected by wire or a wireless link. A LAN permits simultaneous access to data and resources, enhances personal communication, and simplifies backup procedures.
- media
- (1) The plural form of the term "medium." (2) In a network, the wire or cable used to connect the networked computers and peripherals.
- multimedia network
- A specialized network that enables fast access to large multimedia files, such as audio, video, and animation files; often used in digital production and video studios
- network
- A system of interconnected computers that communicate with one another and share applications, data, and hardware components.
- network computer (NC)
- A specialized, terminal-like computer that provides basic input/output capabilities to a user on a network. Usually comprising a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, NCs usually have no built-in storage device.
- network operating system (NOS)
- A group of programs that manage the resources on a network.
- network protocol
- A set of standards used for network communications
- network version
- An application program especially designed to work within a network environment. Users access the software from a shared storage device.
- nodes
- The individual computers that make up a network.
- packet
- A small block of data to be transmitted over a network, which includes an identifying header and the actual data to be sent; also called a frame.
- packet-switched
- A type of communications line in which data is broken into distinct, addressed packets that can be transferred separately. Access to the connection can be intermittent; commonly used for networks.
- peer-to-peer network
- A network environment in which all nodes on the network have equal access to at least some of the resources on all other nodes.
- print job
- A single request for printing services, made by a user on a network, to be printed on a networked printer. A print job can include one or multiple documents.
- protocol
- A set of rules and procedures that determine how a computer system receives and transmits data.
- remote administration
- The process of administering a network from a remote location, through a modem connection. The connection is established between the administrator’s remote computer and a computer on the network—usually either the administrator’s own node or a network server.
- ring topology
- A network topology in which network nodes are connected in a circular configuration. Each node examines the data sent through the ring and passes on data not addressed to it.
- router
- A computer device that stores the addressing information of each computer on each LAN or WAN and uses this information to transfer data along the most efficient path between nodes of a LAN or WAN.
- Serial Storage Architecture (SSA)
- A networking protocol that enables multiple computers to share storage media. SSA provides large bandwidths, allowing large amounts of data (80 Mbps) to be shared.
- star network
- A network topology in which network nodes connect to a central hub, through which all data is routed.
- T1
- A communications line that represents a higher level of the ISDN standard service and supplies a bandwidth of 1.544 Mbps; also called PRI.
- T3
- A communications line capable of transmitting a total of 44.736 Mbps.
- telecommuting
- To work at home or on the road and have access to a work computer via telecommunications equipment, such as modems and fax machines.
- teleconferencing
- Live communications between two or more people using computers, telecommunications equipment, and e-mail software.
- thin client
- thin client See network computer.
- Token Ring
- IBM’s network protocol based on a ring topology, in which linked computers pass an electronic token containing addressing information to facilitate data transfer.
- topology
- The physical layout of wires that connect the computers in a network; includes bus, star, and ring.
- twisted-pair wire
- Cable used in network connections. Twisted-pair wire consists of four or eight copper strands, individually shrouded in plastic, twisted around each other in pairs and bound together in a layer of plastic insulation; also called unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) wire. Twisted-pair wire encased in a metal sheath is called shielded twisted-pair (STP) wire.
- uploading
- Sending a file to a remote computer; the opposite of downloading.
- videoconferencing
- Live video communication between two or more people using computers and videoconferencing software.
- wide area network (WAN)
- A computer network in which two or more LANs are connected across a wide geographical area.
- wireless communication
- Communication via computers that relies on radio signals, including x-rays, ultraviolet light, the visible spectrum, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves, to transmit data.