Glossary
Bandwidth
The maximum rate at which data can be transferred over a network connection, typically measured in bits per second (bps) or megabits per second (Mbps).
Example:
If your internet connection has high bandwidth, you can download large files quickly, like a wide highway allowing many cars to pass at once.
Computer Network
A collection of interconnected computing devices that can share resources and exchange data with each other.
Example:
Your home Wi-Fi connecting your laptop, phone, and smart TV is a small computer network.
Computing Device
Any physical machine capable of running a program and processing information.
Example:
Your smartphone, a desktop PC, or even a smart thermostat are all examples of a computing device.
Computing System
A group of computing devices that are organized and work collaboratively to achieve a common goal or perform a specific function.
Example:
A server farm hosting a website, with many interconnected servers and storage units, forms a complex computing system.
Data
Raw facts, figures, or information, typically stored and transmitted as binary bits in a computer system.
Example:
The text you type into a document, the pixels in an image, or the numbers in a spreadsheet are all forms of data.
Data Streams
A continuous flow of data transmitted over a network, often broken down into smaller units for efficient transfer.
Example:
When you watch a live video, the continuous flow of video information is delivered as data streams.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
The application protocol for distributed, collaborative, and hypermedia information systems, used for transmitting web pages and other content over the World Wide Web.
Example:
When you type a website address into your browser, HTTP is the protocol that allows your browser to request and receive the web page data from the server.
Header
A section at the beginning of a data packet that contains control information, such as the source and destination addresses, and instructions for handling the packet.
Example:
Just like a letter has an envelope with the sender and recipient addresses, a data header tells the network where the packet came from and where it's going.
Internet
A global system of interconnected computer networks that uses standardized communication protocols to link billions of devices worldwide. It is often referred to as a 'network of networks'.
Example:
When you send an email to a friend across the globe, the Internet carries your message through various interconnected networks.
Open Protocol / Nonproprietary Protocol
A communication standard that is publicly available and not owned or controlled by a single company, allowing for widespread adoption and interoperability.
Example:
Because Wi-Fi is an open protocol, devices from different manufacturers can all connect to the same network.
Packets
Small units of data that are broken down from larger messages for transmission over a network, each containing a portion of the data, source, destination, and reassembly instructions.
Example:
When you download a song, it's broken into thousands of tiny packets that travel independently across the internet and are reassembled on your device.
Paths
The specific sequence of interconnected network devices, primarily routers, that a data packet traverses from its origin to its destination.
Example:
When you visit a website, your request takes a specific path through many routers to reach the server hosting the site.
Protocol
A standard set of rules and procedures that govern how data is formatted, transmitted, and received between devices in a network.
Example:
Just like people follow rules of etiquette to communicate, computers use a protocol to ensure they understand each other when exchanging data.
Routers
Network devices that direct data packets between different computer networks, determining the most efficient path for data to travel.
Example:
A router in your home network acts like a traffic cop, directing internet data to the correct device, whether it's your phone or your smart TV.
Routing
The process by which routers determine the optimal path for data packets to travel across a network from their source to their destination.
Example:
When you send a message, the internet performs routing to figure out the quickest way for your message's packets to reach the recipient.
Scalability
The capacity of a system to handle a growing amount of work or its potential to be enlarged to accommodate that growth without compromising performance.
Example:
The internet's scalability allows billions of new devices and users to connect each year without the entire system crashing or slowing down significantly.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
A foundational suite of communication protocols that defines how data is sent over the internet, ensuring reliable and ordered delivery of packets.
Example:
When you send an important email, TCP/IP ensures that all the data packets arrive in the correct order and are reassembled perfectly.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
A connectionless protocol that prioritizes speed over reliability, often used for applications where occasional data loss is acceptable, such as streaming video or online gaming.
Example:
For a live video call, UDP is often used because it prioritizes getting frames to you quickly, even if a few get dropped, to maintain a smooth experience.
World Wide Web
A global system of interconnected documents and other web resources, identified by URLs, that are accessible via the Internet using web browsers.
Example:
When you browse websites like Wikipedia or YouTube, you are using the World Wide Web, which operates on the underlying internet infrastructure.