Networking Glossary

A comprehensive list of common networking terms and their definitions.

IP

Internet Protocol - A protocol for communicating data across a packet-switched network.

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol - A connection-oriented protocol that provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data.

UDP

User Datagram Protocol - A connectionless protocol that provides a way to send messages with minimal protocol mechanism.

DNS

Domain Name System - A hierarchical and decentralized naming system for computers, services, or other resources connected to the Internet or a private network.

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - A network management protocol used to automate the process of configuring devices on IP networks.

OSI Model

Open Systems Interconnection model - A conceptual model that characterizes and standardizes the communication functions of a telecommunication or computing system.

MAC Address

Media Access Control Address - A unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller for use as a network address in communications within a network segment.

Router

A networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks.

Switch

A networking device that connects devices together on a computer network by using packet switching to receive and forward data to the destination device.

Firewall

A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.