Communication protocol offered by telephone companies that permits high-speed connections between computers and network in dispersed locations. LAN Local Area Network . Typically, a network or group of network segments confined to one building or a campus. Modem Device that enables a computer to connect to other computers and networks using ordinary phone lines. Router Device that moves data between different network segments and can look into a packet header to determine the best path for the packet to travel.
Routers can connect network segments that use different protocols.
See also client. Switch A device that improves network performance by segmenting the network and reducing competition for bandwidth. When a switch port receives data packets, it forwards those packets only to the appropriate port for the intended recipient. This further reduces competition for bandwidth between the clients, servers or workgroups connected to each switch port. WAN Wide Area Network .