Chapter 7 Key Terms

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The latest mobile communication standard with faster data transfer
4G rates than 3G

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B
The accommodation of current devices being able to use
backward previously issued software standards in addition to the current
compatibility standards.

The maximum speed at which data can be transmitted between

two nodes on a network; usually measured in megabits per second
bandwidth
(Mbps). See also data transfer rate.

A high-speed Internet connection such as cable, satellite, or digital

broadband subscriber line (DSL).

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C
A broadband service that transmits data over coaxial cables.
cable Internet

A UTP cable type that provides more than 1 Gb/s of throughput.

Cat 6 cable

client/server A type of network that uses servers to deliver services to

network (server- computers that are requesting them (clients).
based network)
A single copper wire surrounded by layers of plastic insulation,
metal sheathing, and a plastic jacket; used mainly in cable
coaxial cable
television and cable Internet service.

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D
 The maximum speed at which data can be transmitted between
two nodes on a network; measured in megabits per second (Mbps)
data transfer rate
or gigabits per second (Gbps).

A type of connection that uses telephone lines to connect to the

digital subscriber Internet and that allows both phone and data transmissions to
line (DSL) share the same line.

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E
A network that uses the Ethernet protocol as the means (or
Ethernet network standard) by which the nodes on the network communicate.

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F
A cable that transmits data at close to the speed of light along
fiber-optic cable glass or plastic fibers.

Internet access that is enabled by transmitting data at the speed

fiber-optic service of light through glass or plastic fibers.

System software that controls hardware devices.

firmware

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G
The most commonly used wired Ethernet standard deployed in
devices designed for home networks; provides bandwidth of up to
gigabit Ethernet
1 Gbps.

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H
 Anyone who unlawfully breaks into a computer system (whether
hacker an individual computer or a network).

A network located in a home that’s used to connect all of its digital

home area network
devices.
(HAN)

A device designed to store media, share media across the

home network network, and back up files on computers connected to a home
server network.

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I
A company that specializes in providing Internet access. ISPs may
be specialized providers, like Juno, or companies that provide
Internet service
other services in addition to Internet access (such as phone and
provider (ISP)
cable television).

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L
A network in which the nodes are located within a small
local area network
geographic area.
(LAN)

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M
A wide area network (WAN) that links users in a specific
metropolitan area
geographic area (such as within a city or county).
network (MAN)

Connection to the Internet through the same cellular network that

mobile broadband cell phones use to get 3G or 4G Internet access.

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N
 A group of two or more computers (or nodes) that are configured
to share information and resources such as printers, files, and
network
databases.

A device that enables the computer (or peripheral) to

communicate with the network using a common data
network adapter
communication language, or protocol.

Involves tasks such as (1) installing new computers and devices,

(2) monitoring the network to ensure it’s performing efficiently,
network
(3) updating and installing new software on the network, and (4)
administration
configuring, or setting up, proper security for a network.

The design of a computer network; includes both physical and

network
logical design.
architecture

network-attached A specialized computing device designed to store and manage

storage (NAS) network data.
device
An expansion card that enables a computer to connect other
network interface computers or to a cable modem to facilitate a high-speed Internet
card (NIC) connection.

A device on a network such as a router or switch that moves data

network navigation
signals around the network.
device

Software that handles requests for information, Internet access,

and the use of peripherals for the rest of the network node,
network operating
providing the services necessary for the computers on the network
system (NOS)
to communicate.

A device (such as a printer or an external hard drive) that can be

network-ready attached directly to a network instead of needing to attach to a
device computer on the network.

A device connected to a network such as a computer, a peripheral

(such as a printer), or a communications device (such as a
node
modem).

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P
 A small segment of data that’s bundled for sending over
packet (data transmission media. Each packet contains the address of the
packet) computer or peripheral device to which it’s being sent.

A network in which each node connected to the network can

peer-to-peer (P2P)
communicate directly with every other node on the network.
network

A network used for communication among devices close to one

personal area person, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, using wireless
network (PAN) technologies such as Bluetooth.

The process of connecting to a wireless network without the

piggybacking permission of the owner of the network.

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R
A device that routes packets of data between two or more
router networks.

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S
A way to connect to the Internet using a small satellite dish, which
is placed outside the home and is connected to a computer with
coaxial cable. The satellite company then sends the data to a
satellite Internet
satellite orbiting the Earth. The satellite, in turn, sends the data
back to the satellite dish and to the computer.

service set A network name that wireless routers use to identify themselves.
identifier (SSID)
A device for transmitting data on a network. A switch makes
decisions, based on the media access control address of the data,
switch
as to where the data is to be sent.

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T
 The actual speed of data transfer that’s achieved. It’s usually less
than the data transfer rate and is measured in megabits per
throughput
second (Mbps).

The radio waves or the physical system (cable) that transports

transmission media data on a network.

Cables made of copper wires that are twisted around each other
and are surrounded by a plastic jacket (such as traditional home
twisted-pair cable
phone wire).

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U
The most popular transmission media option for Ethernet
unshielded
networks. UTP cable is composed of four pairs of wires that are
twisted-pair (UTP)
twisted around each other to reduce electrical interference.
cable

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W
A network made up of local area networks (LANs) connected over
wide area network
long distances.
(WAN)

The 802.11 standard for wireless data transmissions established

wireless fidelity
by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
(WiFi)

A device that amplifies your wireless signal to get it out to parts of

wireless range
your home that are experiencing poor connectivity.
extender

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