Basic Networking definitions

Common networking terms and their definitions:

Networking: A number of computers (2 or more) linked together to share resources.

Network Interface Card: Also known as an Ethernet card, or NIC card. The NIC is probably the most common component of any network. It is the component that provides the connection between a computers internal bus and the network media or cabling.

Hub: A physical device that serves as a central connection point for several network devices. At its simplest level a hub is nothing more than a multi-port repeater. The hub will repeat what it receives on one port to all its other ports.

Routing: A function of the network that involves moving data through a network. Data passes through several network segments using routers that select the path the data takes.

Router: Usually a physical device that connects two networks and allows data to be sent and received between them. A router will determine the best path for the data to take from its source to its destination.

Category 5 RJ-45 cable: Sometimes called CAT-5 cabling. It is the most commonly used type of network cable. It is used to connect the NIC to a hub, router, and various other network devices.

Network Protocols: Computers and devices on a network have to communicate with each other. A protocol is a predefined set of rules that dictate how the computers and devices communicate and exchange data over a network.

TCP/IP: This is a type of network protocol. It combines the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP). This is the protocol most commonly used in Windows based networks. It is also the standard protocol used for communications over the Internet. It was originally developed by the Department of Defense.

IP Address: This is an address used by the Internet Protocol to identify a computer or device’s location on the network. This number is usually assigned to a computer by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or by the network administrator.

DHCP: This acronym stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It is a protocol used on a TCP/IP network to send the client configuration data, including the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS configuration, to the computers or clients on the network. It basically automatically provides configuration data to the computers on a TCP/IP network. Using a DCHP configuration save times by eliminating the need to manually configure each computer on the network.

DNS: Acronym that stands for Domain Name Service. It is a service used in TCP/IP networks that translates host names to IP addresses. The largest use of DNS is the Internet itself. ISP’s use what are called DNS servers to translate web addresses to their actual IP or network addresses. For example when www.winbookcorp.com is accessed by a web browser, the DNS server will translate the site name to the actual network address.