Networking Definitions

10Base2

a 10 Mbps (megabits per second) baseband network that uses co-aial cable to connect PCs in a bus.

10BaseT

a 10 Mbps (megabits per second) baseband network that uses a twisted pair cable t connect PCs to a hub.

100 BaseT

Also called Fast Ethernet, it is a 100 Mbps (megabits per second) baseband network standard. It supports different types of cabling - 100BaseTX uses twisted pair while 100BaseFx uses fibre optics.

Baseband

the most common type of network. Data is transmitted digitally, each wire carrying one signal at a time.

Broadband

describes analogue transmissions over a wire that can carry multiple signals at once. Cable TV uses broadband transmissions.

Bus Network

All networked PCs are connected to a single cable laid out as one long branch.

Client/Server

A network where all services and facilities such as email or file and printer sharing are provided to networked, or client, PCs and controlled by seperate, purpose-built systems called servers.

Ethernet

The original form of the most popular type of network today that connects PCs together over shared cabling. It was called ehernet in remembrance of the ether from which electromagnetic radiation was once thought to flow.

Firewall

A system or softare utility designed to stop unauthorised access to a private network and can be used by a company to control what resources outside the network can be accessed by employees.

Gigabit Ethernet

An extension of the 10 and 100 Mbps (megabits per second) ethrnet standards that describes 1000 Mbps transmission speeds. Originally required fibre optics, but the specification now supports these speeds over copper cable.

Hub

A device used on a star netwok to connect all PCs together. When it receives a signal it refreshes and strengthens it before passing it on.

Intranet

A network maintained by a company that is oly available to its staff or other authorised users and looks like a private Internet.

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network. A service that allows digital communications ovr standard phone lines and offers two 64Kbps (kilobits per second) bearer, or B-channels. It requires a special terminal adapter (TA) on the PC although these can cost as little as £30.

LAN

Local Area Network. A small network that is generally confined to a single offic eor building.

NIC

Network INterface Card. A PCI or ISA adapter card installed in a PC in order to allow it to connect to a network. Some motherboards have an integrated network chip.

Peer-to peer

A small network of PCs that do not use a central server. Each user can decide what rrsources on their PC they wish to share.

Router

A device sed to link multiple LANs together. More effective when multiple paths are available as it can read the destination address of each packet of data and determine the best path fr it to take.

Star Network

Each networked PC is connected to a central controller, or hub, with its own piece of cable. Unlike bus networks, if a cble fails it will only affect the attached PC rather than the enire network.

Bus Network

All networked PCs are connected to a single cable laid out as one long branch.

Bus Network

All networked PCs are connected to a single cable laid out as one long branch.

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