Intro to CS Rutgers Exam 1 Flashcards

Data Transfer

• Upload: Transfer data/software from a smaller to a larger computer.
• Download: Transfer data/software from a larger computer or peripheral device to a nearby computer.

Networking Devices

• Router: Hardware/software that routes data between computers via a specific IP address.
• Modem: Device that transmits data over telecommunication lines for computer communication.
• Host: A computer system accessed by a user from a remote location.
• Client: Application on a personal computer or workstation that depends on a server for operations.

Network Components

• Nodes: Processing locations such as computers or printers within a network.
• Server: Manages network resources and provides services to clients.
• Network Interface Card (NIC): Expansion board used to connect a computer to a network.

Network Structures

• LAN (Local Area Network): Network covering a small geographic area.
• WAN (Wide Area Network): Network that spans a large geographic area.
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Network covering a city or metropolitan area.
• Network Topology: The physical or logical arrangement of a network (e.g. bus, ring, star, mesh).

Data Transmission Protocols

• Protocol: Agreed format for transmitting data, including error checking and data compression.
• Packets: Segments of a message sent over a packet-switching network.
• Packet Switching: Divides messages into packets for individual transmission, which are reassembled at the destination.
• Circuit Switching: Establishes a dedicated channel for data transmission.

Data Transfer Methods

• Asynchronous Transmission: Data sent intermittently, not as a steady stream.
• Synchronous Transmission: Data sent at regular intervals.

Network Performance Metrics

• BPS (Bits Per Second): Measurement of data transfer speed.
• Bandwidth: Amount of data transmitted in a specific period.
• Latency: Delay before a transfer of data starts following a request.

Network Types

• Peer-to-Peer Network: Each workstation holds equal responsibilities and capabilities.
• Client-Server Network: A powerful central computer connects multiple less powerful workstations.
• Wireless Networks: Utilize wireless data connections to link network nodes.

Internet Technologies

• Internet: A global network of millions of interconnected computers.
• WWW (World Wide Web): System of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet.

IP Addressing

• Static IP Address: Does not change and is less common.
• Dynamic IP Address: Changes over time and has increased security.
• IPv4 vs. IPv6: Protocols for identifying and routing traffic on networks; IPv6 is an upgrade to IPv4.

Security and Privacy

• Cookies: Messages stored on the browser by a web server for tracking purposes.
• Phishing: Fraudulent attempts to acquire sensitive information via disguised emails.
• Spoofing: Trickery to mislead hardware or software systems.
• Spam: Unwanted electronic messages or postings.

Cyber Threats

• Virus: Malicious code that operates without user consent.
• Worm: Self-replicating program that spreads over networks.
• Trojan Horse: Malicious software disguised as benign applications.
• Denial of Service Attack (DDoS): Attempts to make network resources unavailable.

Data Encryption

• Encryption: Converting data into a secret code for protection.
• Public Key Encryption: Uses a public and a private key for secure communications.
• Symmetric Encryption: Same key for both encrypting and decrypting data.

Software and Hardware

• Application Software: Programs designed for users such as word processors and web browsers.
• Hardware: Physical components of a computer system.
• Microprocessor: Silicon chip containing the CPU functions.

Miscellaneous Concepts

• Abstraction: Identifying common features of objects and procedures.
• Digital Signature: Unique codes attached to messages for identity verification.
• Firewall: Security system to control access to a network.
• VPN (Virtual Private Network): Network that uses public channels to connect securely to a private network.