Wide Area Networking, Basics, Descriptions

IMPORTANT TERMS
The basic data communication configuration consists of a sending and receiving remote TERMINAL, a MODEM (modulator/demodulator) and a COMPUTER SYSTEM to receive the data and to process and prepare information for retransmission through the communication system. The telephone is still the main method of transferring data over a communication system. The telephone system is an analog system, but the terminals and computers produce digital pulses. The modem is a device that provides an interface for digital pulses to and from the terminals and computer, through the telephone circuits. The modem converts electrical signals to modulated signals that can be transmitted.
The HOST COMPUTER, also called the SERVER, is the main processing device in a network. Originally, the host computer would handle all of the functions now divided among other devices in the system.…