Data added to packets to help route them through the network and reassemble the original message.

A chunk of data sent over a network. Larger messages are divided into these and may arrive at the destination in order, out-of-order, or not at all.

A machine that can run a program, including computers, tablets, servers, routers, and smart sensors

A group of computing devices and programs working together for a common purpose

A group of interconnected computing devices capable of sending or receiving data.

A system of linked pages, programs, and files.

A computer network consisting of interconnected networks that use standardized, open (nonproprietary) communication protocols.

The process of finding a path from sender to receiver.

The series of connections between computing devices on a network starting with a sender and ending with a receiver.

An agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of some system.

A protocol for sending data across the Internet that assigns unique numbers (addresses) to each connected device

The protocol used for transmitting web pages over the Internet

A protocol used on the internet for fast transmission of information but with minimal error checking

The inclusion of extra components so that a system can continue to work even if individual components fail, for example by having more than one path between any two connected devices in a network.

A type of computer that forwards data across a network.

Can continue to function even in the event of individual component failures. This is important because elements of complex systems like a computer network fail at unexpected times, often in groups.

Differing access to computing devices and the Internet, based on socioeconomic, geographic, or demographic characteristics

Issue digital certificates that validate the ownership of encryption keys used in secure communications and are based on a trust model

The unique number assigned to each device on the Internet.