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Megabyte |
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1- When used
to describe data storage, 1,048,576 (2 to the 20th power) bytes. Megabyte
is frequently abbreviated as M or MB. |
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2- When used to describe data
transfer rates, as in MBps, it refers to one million
bytes. |
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Byte |
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Abbreviation for binary term, a unit of storage capable of holding a
single character. On almost all modern computers, a byte is equal to 8
bits. Large amounts of memories are indicated in terms of kilobytes (1,024
bytes), megabytes (1,048,576 bytes), and gigabytes (1,073,741,824 bytes). |
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Throughput |
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The amount of data transferred from one place to another or processed in a
specified amount of time. Data transfer rates for disk drives and networks
are measured in terms of throughput. Typically, throughputs are measured
in Kbps, Mbps and Gbps. |
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Network |
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(n.) A group of two or more computer systems linked together. There are
many types of computer networks, including: |
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Local -
area network [LANs]: The computers are geographically close together (that is, in the same building). |
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Wide - area networks [WANs]: The computers are farther apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves. |
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Campus - area networks [CANs]: The computers are within a limited
geographic area, such as a campus or military base. |
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Metropolitan - area networks [MANs]: A data network designed for a town
or city. |
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Home - area
networks [HANs]: A network contained within a user's home that connects a
person's digital devices. |
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In addition to these types, the following characteristics are also used to
categorize different types of networks |
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Topology:
The geometric arrangement of a computer system. Common topologies include
a bus, star, and ring. |
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Protocol:
The protocol defines a common set of rules and signals that computers on the network use to communicate. One of the most popular protocols for LANs
is called Ethernet, Another popular LAN protocol for PCs is the IBM
token-ring network. |
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Architecture: Networks can be broadly classified as using either a
peer-to-peer or client/server architecture. |
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Kilobit |
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1,024 bits for technical purposes, such as data storage. 1,000 for general
purposes. Data transfer rates are measured in kilobits per second,
abbreviated as Kbps, and count a kilo as 1,000 bits. |
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Communications
Software |
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Software that makes it possible to send and receive data over telephone lines through modems. |
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Bps |
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Any machine
or component that attaches to a computer. Examples of devices include disk
drives, printers, mice, and modems. These particular devices fall into the
category of peripheral devices because they are separate from the main
computer. |
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Most devices,
whether peripheral or not, require a program called a device drives that
acts as a translator, converting general commands from an application into
specific commands that the device understands. |
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Megabit |
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Abbreviation of bits per second, the standard measure of data transmission speeds. |
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BRI |
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Short for Basic-Rate Interface, the basic ISDN configuration, which
consists of two B-channels that can carry voice or data at rate of 64Kbps,
and one D-channel, which carries call-control information. Another type of
ISDN configuration is called Primary-Rate Interface (PRI), which consists
of 23 B-channels (30 in Europe) and one D-channel. |
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B-channel |
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Short for Bearer-channel, the main data channel in an ISDN connection.
Basic Rate ISDN (BRI) service consists of two 64 Kbps B-channels, and one
D-channel for transmitting control information. Primary ISDN service
consists of 23 B-channels (in the U.S.) or 30 B-channels (in Europe). |
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