In this chapter, we provide an overview of the various topics and concepts surrounding computer networks and networking. We begin by discussing some of the key issues related to networking. We follow this discussion with a formal definition of computer networks along with a description of the various terms related to this definition. As part of this discussion, we also introduce basic networking vocabulary as well as several key networking concepts. Much of the material we present here is done so from a general perspective and is elaborated in subsequent chapters. Understanding this material is important because it serves as the underlying foundation of the book. An outline of the terms and concepts we define and discuss follows:

• Concepts and Related Issues of Computer Networking (Questions 1 2)

• Definition and Components of Computer Networks (Questions 3 9)

• Network Protocols (Questions 10 12)

• Network Media (Questions 13 14)

• Applications vs. Application Protocols (Questions 15 19)

• Interoperability (Questions 20 21)

• Internet, internet (Internetwork), Intranet, Extranet (Questions 22 24)

• LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN, GAN, SAN (Questions 25 27)

• Decentralized vs. Centralized vs. Distributed Systems (Questions 28 30)

• Client/Server, Peer-to-Peer, Servent, and WWW Network Models (Questions 31 41)

• Network Appliances (Questions 42 44)

• Serial and Parallel Communications (Questions 45 48)

• Synchronous, Asynchronous, and Isochronous Communications (Questions 49 53)

• Simplex, Half-Duplex, and Full-Duplex Communications (Questions 54 55)

• Network Standards (Questions 56 64)