The means through which data is transmitted and received
transmission media
A personal computer which may or may not be connected to a network.
workstation
The scheme for assigning a unique identifying number to every node on the network.
addressing
The device inside a computer that connects a computer to the network media.
NIC (network interface card)
The physical layout of a computer network.
topology
The distinct units of data that are exchanged between nodes on a network.
packets
A standard method or format for communication between networked devices.
protocol
The part of a network to which segments and significant shared devices connect.
backbone
Transmission that involves one transmitter and multiple, undefined receivers.
broadcast
Transmission that issues signals to multiple, defined recipients.
nonbroadcast
Part of a network that contains end nodes.
populated segment
A common source of noise.
EMI (electromagnetic interference)
Every pulse in a digital signal.
bit
Part of the network that does not contain end nodes.
unpopulated segment
Technology used to modify analog signals to make them suitable for carrying data over a communication path.
data modulation
A professional membership society that helps to establish technical standards for the Internet.
ISOC
A collection of standards organizations representing 162 countries.
ISO
Determines standards for the electronics industry and other fields, such as chemical and nuclear engineering, health and safety, and construction.
ANSI
An international society composed of engineering professionals with goals of promoting development and education in the electrical engineering and computer science fields.
IEEE
Translates network addresses into their physical counterparts.
Network layer
Generates signals as changes in voltage at the NIC.
Physical layer
Manages end-to-end delivery of data.
Transport layer
Coordinates and maintains communications between two nodes on the network.
Session layer
Transmission form in which (typically) digital signals are sent through direct current (DC) pulses applied to the wire.
baseband