| A | B |
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| Mainframe | A computer system used by large organizations that can support many users and large databases |
| Supercomputer | A computer that is faster and more powerful than a mainframe. Supercomputers are used by large research facilities or government agencies needing a lot of processing ability. |
| Hardware | The physical parts of a computer system including input, output, storage, and other devices. |
| System Unit | The case that holds the main, internal circuitry of a computer including the motherboard, disk drives, and power supply. |
| Motherboard | The main circuit board containing a computer's central processing unit (CPU), memory, and expansion slots. |
| 6. Central processing unit (CPU) | The part of the computer that executes instructions, controls the flow of data, and performs the arithmetic and logic decisions. |
| Input device | Any device that accepts data from the user, such as a keyboard or mouse |
| Output device | A part of the computer system that displays information to the user, such as a monitor or a printer. |
| Local area network (LAN) | A system in which nearby computers are connected to each other so they can share printers, data, and other resources. |
| Wide area network (WAN) | A system of interconnected LANs and/or computers able to transfer data between the computers regardless of the distance between them |
| Node | A device attached to a network, such as a computer or a printer. |
| File server | A computer on a network that stores data which is shared by other computers on the network |
| 13Network interface card (NIC) | A device that controls the flow of data between a computer's RAM and a network cable. |
| Network operating system (NOS) | Systems software that manages a LAN by establishing and maintaining the connections between the nodes and the file server |
| Physical media | The cables or wireless connections that transmit data on a network |
| Protocols | A set of rules used to describe how different devices on a network communicate with each other |
| Bus topology | A networking arrangement in which all computers connect to a single cable. |
| Ring topology | A networking arrangement in which computers connect in a circle, passing a special set of data, or token, from one computer to the next to determine who can transmit data. |
| Star topology | A networking arrangement in which each node connects to a hub or switch through which data travels to a file server and/or other computers. |
