This document defines key terms related to data communications and computer networks. It describes terms such as sender, receiver, channel, protocol, network, local area network, wide area network, components of a central processing unit, types of computer memory, basic controllers, ports, buses, motherboards, ASCII code, bytes, megabytes, and gigabytes. The document provides definitions for 20 important data communications and computer networking terms.

1. BCT Section 1.2 Terms
Data Communications, Networks
1. Data Communications The technology that allows computers to communicate;
the transmission of data from one machine to another
2. Sender The computer sending the message
3. Receiver The computer receiving the message
4. Channel The media that carries the message
5. Protocol The rules that govern the orderly transfer of the data
sent
6. Network A connection that allows computers to share
information
7. Local Area Network Computers connected together in a relatively close
location such as in the same building or department
8. Wide Area Network Expanded local area networks
9. Central Processing Unit A microprocessor that helps the computer make
decisions
10. Arithmetic/Logic Unit A unit that performs arithmetic computations and
logical operations
11. Control Unit A unit that coordinates all of the CPU’s activities
12. Random Access Memory Temporary memory on the motherboard
13. Read Only Memory Memory on the motherboard where the specific
instructions that are needed for the computer to
operate are stored
14. Basic Controllers A device that controls the transfer of data from the
computer to a peripheral device and vice versa
15. Serial & Parallel Ports Ports used to connect peripheral devices to the
computer
16. Universal Serial Bus A new standard that supports data transfer rates of up
to 12 million bits per second
17. Motherboard A circuit board that contains many integral
components
18. ASCII Code the most popular and widely used standardized coding
system

2. 19. Byte Eight bits or combinations of ones and zeros represent
a character
20. Megabyte About one million bytes
Gigabyte About one billion bytes