- What is Computer Networking?
- Computer networking is the process of connecting two or more autonomous computing devices to enable resource sharing — information, printers, files, data and servers. For communication to succeed, a network must possess a common physical or logical connecting link, and the communicating devices must adhere to mutually…
- Protocol
- A formal set of rules and conventions that govern how data is transmitted and received between computers across a network.
- MAC (Media Access Control) address
- A unique hardware identifier assigned to a network interface controller (NIC), used as the device’s address within a network segment.
- IP (Internet Protocol) address
- A numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.
- Centralized Computing
- In a centralized computing model, all processing power and data storage reside at a single central location — typically a mainframe, UNIX host or powerful server. Connected client terminals (historically dumb terminals) act merely as input/output interfaces.
- Distributed Computing
- Distributed computing replaces dumb terminals with autonomous personal computers. Each workstation can operate independently for local tasks while still interacting with network servers to retrieve shared files or resources. The application logic is executed on the client workstation rather than on the server.
- Collaborative (Cooperative) Computing
- Collaborative computing enables multiple computers to share both resources and processing tasks. In a client-server database architecture such as Microsoft SQL Server, a client submits a query, the database server performs the heavy backend processing — filtering and sorting records — and returns only the processed…
- Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Networking Model
- In a peer-to-peer network, every connected machine functions simultaneously as both a client and a server. No dedicated server is required.
- Server-Based (Client-Server) Networking Model
- Server-based networks require dedicated servers — such as Windows NT Server or NetWare — to manage network resources and enforce user-level security. Permissions and access rights are tied to authenticated user accounts maintained centrally by the server.
- File servers
- Provide a centralised repository for storing files, letting multiple users access common data securely and making centralised backup possible.
- Print servers
- Manage and coordinate access to one or more shared network printers on behalf of multiple clients.
- Application servers
- Host and execute software applications on behalf of clients, processing data on the server side and delivering the results across the network.
- Protocol Layering and Architecture
- To manage design complexity, networks are structured as a hierarchy of layers or levels, where each layer builds upon the services of the layer directly beneath it.
- Interface
- The boundary between two adjacent layers on the same machine. It defines the primitive operations the lower layer offers to the one above it.
- Protocol stack
- The complete ordered list of protocols in use by a system — one protocol per layer.
- Data encapsulation and flow
- Data flows downward through the sender’s layers to the physical medium, crosses the physical channel, and ascends upward through the receiver’s layers.
- CAT 5 Cable
- A standardised twisted-pair cable containing four pairs of colour-coded wires, designed for laboratory and enterprise networking.
- Trimmer / stripper
- Strips the cable’s outer jacket safely without damaging the conductors inside. Do not substitute a knife or scissors.
- Crimper
- A plier-like tool that attaches RJ-45 connectors securely to the cable ends.
- RJ-45 connector
- A transparent modular connector carrying 8 gold-plated contact pins.
- LAN tester
- An electronic testing device that verifies electrical continuity across all 8 pins after crimping.
- Hub (Physical Layer)
- A multiport repeater that broadcasts an incoming electrical signal across all of its active ports.
- Passive hub
- Purely connects cable segments together, without regenerating the signal.
- Active hub
- Regenerates and amplifies the signal before repeating it.
- Intelligent hub
- An active hub that additionally incorporates network management protocols such as SNMP.
- Multiplexer
- Combines multiple distinct signals onto a single transmission medium.
- Bridge (Data Link Layer)
- Connects two separate network segments into one logical whole by examining MAC addresses.
- Switch (Data Link Layer)
- Often described as a high-performance multiport bridge, supporting dozens or hundreds of ports, with each port providing exclusive dedicated bandwidth — for example 10 or 100 Mbps per port.
The 7 topics define many more terms than these — the full set, with flashcards, is in the notes.