📘 Network & Internet Vocabulary Reference

A quick guide for high school students to understand the basics of computer networks and the Internet.

🌐 Basic Terms

• Network – A group of computers connected together to share information and resources.

• Internet – A worldwide network of smaller networks all linked together.

• Ethernet – A common way to connect computers in a local network using cables.

• Wi-Fi – A wireless way to connect devices to a local network and the Internet.

• LAN (Local Area Network) – A small network, usually in one building (school, home, office).

• WAN (Wide Area Network) – A large network that covers big areas, often connecting many LANs. (The Internet is the biggest WAN.)

📦 Data & Communication

• Packet – A small chunk of data sent across a network. Files and messages are broken into packets before being sent.

• Protocol – Rules that computers use to communicate (like a language for computers).

• IP (Internet Protocol) – Gives every device an IP address (like a phone number for a computer).

  • IPv4: Older version (e.g. 192.168.1.1)

  • IPv6: Newer version with longer addresses.

• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) – Works with IP to make sure packets arrive complete and in the correct order.

• DNS (Domain Name System) – Like the Internet’s phonebook: turns website names (like google.com) into IP addresses.

💻 Devices & Hardware

• Router – Connects a local network (home, school) to the Internet.

• Switch – Directs data to the right computer inside a network.

• Modem – Connects your network to your Internet provider (translates signals).

• Firewall – Hardware or software that protects a network by blocking unwanted traffic.

🔒 Security & Access

• HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) – Rules for sending web pages over the Internet.

• HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) – A safer version of HTTP that encrypts data (look for the 🔒 in your browser).

• FTP (File Transfer Protocol) – A method for moving files between computers on a network.

• ISP (Internet Service Provider) – The company that gives you Internet access (like Comcast, Spectrum, or AT&T).

📝 Common Acronyms to Know

• IP Address – A number that identifies a device on the Internet.

• URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – The address of a website (what you type in the browser bar).

• HTML (HyperText Markup Language) – The code used to structure web pages.