A name server translates domain names into IP addresses. This makes it possible for a user to access a website by typing in the domain name instead of the website’s actual IP address. For example, when you type in “www.microsoft.com,” the request gets sent to Microsoft’s name server which returns the IP address of the Microsoft website.

Stands for “Network Basic Input/Output System.” NetBIOS was introduced in 1983 by IBM as an improvement to the standard BIOS used by Windows-based computers. The BIOS provides an interface between the computer’s operating system and the hardware. As the name implies, NetBIOS adds support for networking, including the ability to recognize other devices connected to the network.

Netiquette, a portmanteau of “net” (short for internet) and “etiquette,” refers to the code of conduct or guidelines for appropriate behavior and communication while using digital communication tools, such as email, social media, online forums, chat rooms, and messaging platforms. Netiquette aims to promote respectful, courteous, and effective communication in online interactions.

A network is a collection of computers, servers, devices, or other nodes interconnected by communication links for the purpose of sharing resources, exchanging data, and communicating with each other. These communication links can include wired connections (such as Ethernet cables or fiber optics) or wireless connections (such as Wi-Fi or cellular networks).

A network topology describes the arrangement of systems on a computer network. It defines how the computers, or nodes, within the network are arranged and connected to each other. Some common network topologies include star, ring, line, bus, and tree configurations. These topologies are defined below:

A nybble, sometimes spelled “nibble,” is a set of four bits. Since there are eight bits in a byte, a nybble is half of one byte. While it may take the average person several nibbles to equal one bite of a cookie, in the computer world, two nybbles always equal one byte.

Stands for “Open Shortest Path First.” OSPF is a method of finding the shortest path from one router to another in a local area network (LAN). As long as a network is IP-based, the OSPF algorithm will calculate the most efficient way for data to be transmitted.

In networking, a packet is a unit of data that is transmitted over a network. It consists of two main parts: a header and a payload.

A pebibyte is a unit of data storage that equals 2 to the 50th power, or 1,125,899,906,842,624 bytes.

A petabyte is 2 to the 50th power, or 1,125,899,906,842,624 bytes.