N

Netiquette
guidelines for appropriate procedures to use when contributing to a newsgroups.

Network
a group of computers and other hardware that is connected by communications media so that resources can be shared.

Network performance
management procedure that is concerned with how well a network is working compared with the level of data flow.

Network protocol
rules for network communications; examples include CSMA/CD, token passing, and TCP/IP.

Network structure
database structure similar to hierarchical structure but with the addition of horizontal relationships from one segment to another (many-to-many relationship).

Neural network
a form of artificial intelligence software that imitates some functions of the human brain, such as a learning capacity.

Newsgroup
an interactive computer discussion group on any of a very wide range of topics.

Nonvolatile/volatile
reference to the temporary (volatile) nature of primary memory versus the permanent (nonvolatile) nature of secondary storage.