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Computer
A programmable, electronic device that accepts data input, performs processing operations on that data, and outputs and stores the results.
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Input
entering data into the computer
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Processing
performing operations on the data
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Output
presenting the results
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Storage
saving data, programs, or output for future use
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Communications
The transmission of data from one device to another.
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Information processing cycle
(IPOS cycle or information processing cycle)
- Input Processing Output Storage
- User Computer Computer Computer
- types in adds displays saves data
- numbers numbers result for future
- use
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Data
- Any fact or set of facts can become computer data.
- Ex: letter to a friend, numbers in a monthly budget, images in a photo, notes in a song, or facts stored in an employee record.
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Hardware
The physical parts of a computer
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Software
Programs or instructions used to tell the computer what to do to accomplish tasks.
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End user
A person who uses a computer to perform tasks or obtain information.
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Cloud storage
To use data, applications, and resources stored on computers accessed over the Internet rather than on users' computers.
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Embedded computer
- A tiny computer embedded in a product and designed to perform specific tasks or functions for that product.
- Ex: dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, coffee makers, thermostats, answering machines, treadmills, sewing machines...
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Mobile device
A very small communications device with built-in computing or Internet capability.
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Fourth-Generation Computers
(approx 1971-present)
- Microprocessor contains the core processing capabilities of an entire computer on a single chip.
- The original IBM PC and Apple Macintosh computers & most of today's modern computers, fall into this category.
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Personal computer (PC)
A type of computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time.
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Desktop computer
- A personal computer designed to fit on or next to a desk.
- Two standards/platforms: PC-compatible or Macintosh
- Ex: 1)Tower *most commonly used style 2) desktop case - (AIO case)
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Portable computer
- A small personal computer designed to be carried around easily.
- (portable computers now outsell desktops)
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Notebook computer (laptop computer)
A small personal computer designed to be carried around easily
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Tablet computer
A portable computer about the size of a notebook that is designed to be used with an electronic pen. (digital pen or stylus)
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Netbooks
(aka mini-notebooks, mini-laptops, and ultra-portable computers)
A very small notebook computer
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Ultra-mobile PC (UMPC)
(aka handheld computers)
A portable personal computer that is small enough to fit in one hand
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Dumb terminal
- A computer that must be connected to a network to perform processing or storage tasks.
- Ex: A thin client and Internet appliance
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Thin client (aka a network computer, or NC)
- A device designed to access a network for processing and data storage instead of performing those tasks locally.
- Ex: hotel lobby for Internet access, rm to rm calls, free phone calls via Internet
- Main advantage: overall lower cost (hardware, software, maintenance, power & cooling)
- Disadvantages: ltd or no local storage, not a stand-alone
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Internet appliance (aka Internet device)
- A specialized network computer designed primarily for Internet access and/or email exchange.
- Ex: built in refrigerator or telephone; chumby stand-alone Internet device; gaming consoles (Wii, Playstation3), new tv sets, video players, etc.
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Midrange server (aka minicomputer)
- A medium-sized computer used to host programs and data for a small network.
- Can serve many users at one time. Used in small-med sized businesses (medical or dental offices) or in school computer labs.
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Virtualization
- The creation of virtual versions of a computing resource.
- Offers increased efficiency.
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Mainframe computer (referred to as high-end servers or enterprise-class servers)
- A computer used in large organizations that manage large amounts of centralized date and run multiple programs simultaneously.
- Larger, more powerful, and more expensive than midrange servers. It can serve thousands of users
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Supercomputer
- The fastest, most expensive, and most powerful type of computer.
- Generally, run 1 program at a time as fast as possible.
- Ex: sending astronauts into space, control missile guidance systems & satellites, weather forecasting, 3D medical imaging...
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Supercomputing cluster
A supercomputer composed of numerous smaller computers connected together to act as a single computer.
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Network
Computers and other devices that are connected to share hardware, software, and data.
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Internet
- The larges and most well-known computer network, linking millions of computers all over the world.
- Technically, a network of networks; consisting of thousands of networks that can all access each other via the main backbone infrastructure of the Internet.
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Internet service provider (ISP)
- A business or other organization that provides Internet access to others, typically for a fee.
- ISP servers are continually connected to a larger network, called a regional network, which is connected to one of the major high-speed networks w/in the country, called the backbone network.
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World Wide Web (Web or WWW)
The collection of Web pages available through the Internet
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Web page
A document located on a Web server
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Web site
A collection of related Web pages. (web pages belonging to one individual or company)
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Web server
- A computer continually connected to the Internet that stores Web pages accessible through the Internet.
- Can be accessed at any time by anyone with a computer or other Web-enabled device and an Internet connection.
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Web browser
- A program used to view Web pages.
- Ex: Internet Explorer (IE), Chrome, Safari, Opera, or Firefox.
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Internet address
An address (unique numeric or text-based) that identifies a computer, person, or Web page on the Internet, such as an IP address & domain name (computers), URLs (Web pages), or email address (people).
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IP address (Internet Protocol)
- A numeric Internet address used to uniquely identify a computer on the Internet
- Ex: 207.46.197.32
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Domain name
- A text-based Internet address used to uniquely identify a computer on the Internet.
- Corresponds to a computer's IP address, but searching for domain name is easier than IP address.
- Ex: microsoft.com
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URL (uniform resource locator)
- An Internet address that uniquely identifies a Web page.
- Ex: http:// (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for regular Web pages
- https:// (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) for secure Web pages
- ftp:// (File Transfer Protocol) used to upload and download files
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Breakdown of URL for a Web page
http://twitter.com/jobs/index.html
- http:// - Web page URLs usu. begin with this standard protocol identifier
- twitter.com/ - identifies the Web server hosting the Web page
- jobs/ - identifies the folder(s) in which the Web page is stored, if necessary
- index.html - identifies the Web page document that is to be retrieved and displayed
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email address
An Internet address consisting of a username and computer domain name that uniquely identifies a person on the Internet.
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Username (an identifying name)
- A name that uniquely identifies a user on a specific computer network.
- As in an email address: jsmith@cengage.com
- Username: jsmith
- domain name: cengage.com
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surf the Web
To use a Web browser to view Web pages
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email
- Messages sent from one user to another over the Internet or other network
- can be sent via email program (Outlook) or via a Web mail service (gmail or Window's Live Mail)
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Intellectual property rights
- The legal rights to which creators of original creative works are entitled
- Ex: music & movies; paintings, computer graphics, and other works of art; books, poetry, symbols, names, designs
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3 Types of Intellectual Property Rights
Copyrights, Trademarks, and Patents
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Copyright
- The legal right to sell, publish, or distribute an original artistic or literary work; it is held by the creator of a work as soon as it exists in physical form.
- applies to both published & unpublished works and remain in effect until 70 yrs after the creator's death.
- Exception: fair use - permits limited duplication and use of a portion of copyrighted material for specific purposes.
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Trademark
- A word, phrase, symbol, or design (or a combo. of these) that identifies goods or services.
- Ex: I'm lovin' it (McDonalds), ebay, iPod, and their symbols
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Digital watermark (a rights-protection tool)
- A subtle alteration of digital content that identifies the copyright holder.
- not noticeable when work is viewed or played
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Digital rights management (DRM) software
- Software used to protect and manage the rights of creators of digital content.
- limits who can view, print, or copy digital content
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Plagiarism
Presenting someone else's work as your own
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Ethics
Overall standards of moral conduct
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computer ethics
- Standards of moral conduct as they relate to computer use.
- Ex: distributing computer viruses, spam, and spyware; distributing copies of software, movies, music & other digital content.
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business ethics
Standards of moral conduct that guide a business's policies, decisions, and actions.
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Repetitive stress injury (RSI)
A type of injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), that is caused by performing the same physical movements over & over again.
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Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
A painful and crippling condition affecting the hands and wrists that can be caused by computer use.
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DeQuervain's tendonitis
A condition in which the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist are swollen and irritated
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Computer vision syndrome (CVS)
a collection of eye and vision problems, including eyestrain or eye fatigue, dry eyes, burning eyes, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.
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green computing
- The use of computers in an environmentally friendly manner
- Ex: minimizing the use of natural resources, such as energy and paper, using ENERGY STAR hardware
- *Avg US household spends an est. $100/yr powering devices that are turned off or in standby mode.
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eco-label
A certification, usually issued by a government agency, that identifies a device as meeting minimal environmental performance specifications.
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ergonomics
- The science of fitting a work environment to the people who work there.
- Ex: Tilt-and-swivel monitor, Document holder, Proper user position, Adjustable table/desk, Footrest, Adjustable chair.
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e-trash
- Electronic trash or waste, such as discarded computer components
- *According to most estimates, at least 70% of all discarded computer equip ends up in landfills and in foreign countries with lower recycling costs, cheaper labor, & lax environmental stds than the US.
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Computer network
- computers and other hardware devices that are connected to share hardware, software, and data.
- used extensively throughout society-people around the world use them every day in business, at school, at home, and on the go.
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Telecommute
- The use of computers and networking technology to enable an individual to work from a remote location
- individuals work from a remote location and communicate with their places of business and clients via networking technologies
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wired network
a network in which computers and other devices are connected to the network via physical cables.
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wireless network
A network in which computers and other devices are connected to the network without physical cables
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hotspot
A location that provides wireless Internet access to the public
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Star network
- A network that uses a host device connected directly to several other devices
- If the central device fails, the network cannot function
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Bus network
- A network that uses a central cable to which all network devices are attached
- If the bus line fails, the network cannot function since all data is transmitted down the bus line from one device to another.
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Mesh network
- A network that uses multiple connections between network devices.
- used most often with wireless networks
- if one device on a mesh network fails, the network can still function (assuming an alternate path is available)
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architecture
The way computers are designed to communicate
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client-server network
A network that includes both clients and servers
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Client
A computer or other device on a network that requests and uses network resources
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server
A computer that is dedicated to processing client requests
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download
To retrieve files from a server to a client
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upload
To transfer files from a client to a server
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peer-to-peer (P2P) network
A network in which the computers on the network work at the same functional level, and users have direct access to the network devices
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Personal area network (PAN)
A network that connects an individual's personal devices that are located close together
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Local area network (LAN)
A network that connects devices located in a small geographical area
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Metropolitan area network (MAN)
A network designed to service a metropolitan area
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wide area network (WAN)
A network that connects devices located in a large geographical area
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Intranet
A private network that is set up similarly to the internet and is accessed via a Web browser
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extranet
An intranet that is at least partially accessible to authorized outsiders
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virtual private network (VPN)
A private, secure path over the internet used for accessing a private network
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bandwidth (throughput)
The amount of data that can be transferred in a given time period
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digital signal
A type of signal where the data is represented by 0s and 1s
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analog signal
A type of signal where the data is represented by continuous waves
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serial transmission
A type of data transmission in which the bits in a byte travel down the same path one after the other
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parallel transmission
A type of data transmission in which bytes of data are transmitted at one time with the bits in each byte taking a separate path
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synchronous transmission
A type of serial data transmission in which data is organized into groups or blocks of data that are transferred at regular, specified intervals
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asynchronous transmission
A type of serial data transmission in which data is sent when it is ready to be send without being synchronized
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isochronous transmission
A type of serial data transmission in which data is sent at the same time as other related data
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simplex transmission
A type of data transmission in which data travels in a single direction only
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half-duplex transmission
A type of data transmission in which data can travel in either direction, but only in one direction at a time
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full-duplex transmission
A type of data transmission in which data can move in both directions at the same time
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packet switching
A method of transmitting data in which messages are separated into packets that travel along the network separately, and then are reassembled in the proper order at the destination
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broadcasting
A method of transmitting data in which data is sent out to all nodes on a network and is retrieved only by the intended recipient.
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twisted-pair cable
A networking cable consisting of insulated wire strands twisted in sets of two and bound into a cable
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coaxial cable (coax)
A networking cable consisting of a center wire inside a grounded, cylindrical shield, capable of sending data at high speeds
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fiber-optic cable
A networking cable that contains hundreds of thin transparent fibers over which lasers transmit data as light
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Radio signals
- Short range - wireless keyboard or mouse to a computer
- Medium range - computer to a wireless LAN or public hotspot
- Long range - provides internet access to a large geographic area or to broadcast a TV show
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cellular radio transmission
A type of data transmission used with cell phones in which the data is sent and received via cell towers
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microwaves
high-frequency radio signals that can send large quantities of data at high speeds over long distances
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microwave station
A device that sends and receives high-frequency, high-speed radio signals
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communications satellite
A device that orbits the earth and relays communications signals over long distances
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infrared (IR) transmission
A wireless networking medium that sends data as infrared light rays
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protocol
A set of rules to be followed in a specific situation
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Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
A networking protocol that uses packet switching to facilitate the transmission of messages; the protocol used with the Internet
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Ethernet
The most widely used standard for wired networks
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Wi-Fi (802.11)
A widely used networking standard for medium-range wireless networks
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WiMAX (802.16a)
An emerging wireless networking standard that is faster and has a greater range than Wi-Fi.
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mobile WiMAX (802.16e)
A version of WiMAX designed to be used with mobile phones
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Bluetooth
- A networking standard for very short-range wireless connections
- 10 meters (approx 33 feet) or less
- works using radio signals in the frequency band of 2.4 GHz
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piconet
- A Bluetooth network
- up to 10 individual Bluetooth networks
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wireless USB
A wireless version of USB designed to connect peripheral devices
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Ultra Wideband (UWB)
A networking standard for very short-range wireless connections among multimedia devices
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WirelessHD (WiHD)
An emerging wireless networking specification designed for connecting home consumer devicses
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TransferJet
A networking standard for wireless connections between devices that are touching
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network adapter
A device used to connect a computer to a network
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network interface card (NIC)
A network adapter in the form of an expansion card
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modem
A device that is used to connect a computer to a network over telephone lines
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switch
A device that connects multiple devices on a wired network and forwards data only to the intended recipient.
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router
A device that connects multiple networks together and passes data to the intended recipient using the most efficient route
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wireless access point
A device on a wireless network that connects wireless devices to that network
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wireless router
A router with a built-in wireless access point
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bridge
A device used to connect two LANs
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repeater
A device on a network that amplifies signals
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range extender
A repeater for a wireless network
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antenna
A device used for receiving or sending radio signals and often used to increase the range of a network
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