For the beginners it is necessary to understand what is the networking exactly. What are the terms and components lets understand them to have a clear understanding about networking.
Network: A NETWORK consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CD-ROMs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.
Workstation: - When any one of the computers is connected to a LAN they are referred to as a WORKSTATION
Nodes:-All computing devices on a network; workstations, printers, etc., are referred to as NODES
Adapter or Network Interface card: - When connecting a workstation, the interface hardware is referred to as an ADAPTER. Networking adapters are also commonly referred to as NETWORK INTERFACE CARDS or NICS.
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| NIC card |
FRAMES or PACKETS: Most NIC's break the information into FRAMES or PACKETS of information.
PRINT SERVER :The LAN connection for a printer, however, is referred to as a PRINT SERVER and not a NIC.
SERVER :The SERVER is the computer whose resources are shared with other computers.
SEGMENTS :SEGMENTS are trunks of cabling connecting devices to a routing device.
BACKBONE: A BACKBONE is the foundation of the LAN/WAN where the servers are linked together in a common series of concentration devices.
CLIENT/SERVER :A network where a server acts as a dedicated server and supplies information to workstations is called a CLIENT/SERVER network.
PEER-TO-PEER :A PEER-TO-PEER network is a network where all computers act as both servers and clients and data files can be shared. This network has
no one dedicated server.
