Yada-yada

• The internet is interconnection of a group of separate networks.

• Each device connected to a network can be called a host, or end system (even if it isn’t “host”-ing anything)

• Network bandwidth refers to the maximum rate at which data can be transmitted and received over a connection.

Devices

• Gateway - A device that connected two networks together
• Modem (Modulator-Demodulator) - Converts digital signals to and from analog signals
• Router - A device that establishes and maintains connections from and to devices on the network
• Switch - A device that forwards packets to its intended destination. Often used to connect more wired devices to a network
• Hub - A dumb switch that forwards all the packets it receives to all its connected devices
• Access Point - A ‘wireless’ switch
• Wireless Router
  • … I have an access point-
    … I have a router-
    … ngh-
    … Wireless Router!
  • A commercialised name for a device that functions as both a router and as an access point
• Wireless Modem
  • A wireless router, that also has modem functionality
  • Router + Access Point + Modem

Misc

Packets are blocks of data that are transmitted and received over networks.
They contain control data such as its destination, size, type, age, checksum, etc; and the data (payload) itself.

The size of a packet is limited by several factors, one being the protocol used. Consequently, a packet therefore might not contain the entirety of the data to be sent, rather just a piece of it.