6.2 Networking Basics

A computer component that provides a port (usually RJ-45) where a network cable can be connected.

• Network Interface

• Network Cable

• Wall Jack

• Local Area Network (LAN)

A cable that provides connectivity between network devices. A common network cable connects a computer's network interface with a wall jack.

• Network Cable

• Wall Jack

• Local Area Network (LAN)

• Wide Area Network (WAN)

A device, usually located on a building wall, that provides a port (usually RJ-45)

• Wide Area Network (WAN)

• Local Area Network (LAN)

• Network Cable

• Wall Jack

A group of networked computers that are physically close together, usually in the same building.

• Physical Address

• Wide Area Network (WAN)

• Star Topology

• Local Area Network (LAN)

A network of interconnected LANs across a large geographical location

• Wide Area Network (WAN)

• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

• Star Topology

• Logical Address

This term generally refers to smaller networks that are connected throughout a city into one larger, centralized network.

• Wide Area Network (WAN)

• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

• Mesh Topology

• Physical Address

A network topology in which all the devices are connected to each other by a single central cable.

• Star Topology

• Mesh Topology

• Bus Topology

• Ring Topology

A network topology in which each host is connected to two other hosts in a circle.

• Ring Topology

• Bus Topology

• Mesh Topology

• Star Topology

A network topology in which devices are not connected to each other but rather to a centralized device called a switch.

• Bus Topology

• Ring Topology

• Star Topology

• Mesh Topology

A network topology where each device on the network has a point-to-point connection to every other device on the network.

• Ring Topology

• Star Topology

• Mesh Topology

• Bus Topology