Access Point
An Access Point is
a device on the wireless network that receives and retransmits data. It allows
computers with wireless network adapters to be connected, typically, to an
Ethernet network.
Cable Modem
A cable modem is a
device that enables you to hook up your computer to the Internet via a local
cable TV line.
Client
A client is a
computer on a network.
Domain Name System (or Service) (DNS)
DNS is an Internet
service that translates domain names into IP addresses.
A DNS server keeps a database of host computers, their respective domain names,
and IP addresses. When a domain name is requested, the DNS server uses this
table to send the user to the proper IP address.
The DNS system is
really its own network. If one DNS server doesn't know how to translate a
particular domain name, it asks another one, and so on, until the correct IP
address is returned.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
(DHCP)
DHCP is the
process of automatically configuring the TCP/IP settings
for every computer on a network.
Encryption
Encryption is a
common way of implementing security and protecting information. Encryption
applies a set of instructions, called an algorithm, to information.
The instructions combine the plain or clear text of
information with a sequence of hexadecimal numbers, called an encryption key.
Before
transmitting information over the airwaves, the wireless client or Access Point
encrypts or scrambles the information. The Access Point or wireless
client receiving the information uses the same key to decrypt or
unscramble the information. The information is only readable to WLAN devices
that have the correct encryption key. The longer the key is, the stronger the
encryption. All wireless clients and Access Points in a WLAN must use the
same encryption method and key. An 802.11-compliant wireless network has Wired
Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
technologies for wireless security.
Ethernet
Ethernet is the
most widely used local area networking technology. It is an industry-wide
standard originally developed by Xerox and formalized in 1980 by DEC, Intel,
and Xerox. Ethernet networks transmit data at 10/100 Mbps using a specified protocol.
Ethernet Address (MAC Address)
An Ethernet
address is a unique, pre-programmed address, sometimes referred to as a media
access control (MAC) address. Each computer on an Ethernet network has its
own Ethernet address. This 12-digit hexadecimal address is encoded into the
circuitry of the computer’s network adapter when it is manufactured. Other
devices on the network use this address to identify the computer. This address
is not the same as the IP address that is assigned to
computers on TCP/IP networks. On these networks, the IP
address is associated with the MAC address to enable network communication.
Host
A host is any
device that is connected to the network; for example, a computer, network
printer, or router. Each host has a unique name (called "Host
Name") or IP address (called "Host IP") for identification on
the network.
Internet Protocol (IP)
IP is the protocol
used to send data from one computer to another over the Internet. The IP
protocol describes how Internet computers keep track of the IP address of each computer on the network and route
packets of data from one IP address to another.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
An ISP is a
company that provides individuals and other companies access to the Internet
and other related services such as website building and virtual hosting. An ISP
has the equipment and the telecommunication line access required to have POP on
the Internet for the geographic area served. The larger ISPs have their own
high-speed leased lines so that they are less dependent on the
telecommunication providers and can provide better service to their customers.
IP Address
An IP address
provides unique identification for each computer on the Internet or on a local
network. IP addresses are usually expressed as a group of four numbers
separated by periods, for example, 169.254.10.2. None of the numbers can be
greater than 255. Each Ethernet interface has an IP address. For the Dell Wireless
2350 Broadband Router, there is a LAN Ethernet interface and
a WAN Ethernet interface; hence, there is a LAN IP address
and a WAN IP address.
Link Light
A link light is a
light on a network device that indicates a good network connection. Hubs
typically have a link light for each port; although, they may not be labelled
as such, and the lights may show other information. These lights often blink
for network activity. Some hubs display different colored lights for 10 Mbps
and 100 Mbps. For more information, see the documentation accompanying your
product.
Local Area Network (LAN)
A LAN is a network
in one location. The network lets users at that location share files, printers
and other services. See WAN.
Network Adapter
A network adapter
is a device expansion card that provides the physical connection between a
computer and the network. There are many types of adapters. They include PC
cards for laptops (a card that fits into a slot on your computer, like you
might install a sound card or modem card) and embedded cards, embedded USB
adapters, USB dongle adapters, and USB desktop adapters. Some newer computers
have a network adapter already built into the system. PC cards or cards that
fit into a slot in the desktop are sometimes referred to as network interface
cards, or NICs.
Network Address Translation (NAT)
NAT occurs when
multiple IP addresses on a private LAN
are converted to one public address. This public address is sent out to the
Internet. NAT adds a level of security because the IP address for a computer
connected to the private LAN is never transmitted to the Internet. NAT also
allows xDSL/cable routers to be used with low-cost Internet accounts, where
only one TCP/IP address is provided by the Internet
service provider. The user may have many private addresses masked by the
single address provided by the ISP. NAT prevents denial of service (DoS) from
external networks on internal hosts.
Network Name (SSID)
Access Points are grouped together by an identifier
called an ESSID. The ESSID is also referred to as a Net ID. This identifier is
a combination of any letters or numbers that are appropriate for the network
environment. ESSID is specifically for Access Points. When you talk about peer-to-peer
networks, you cannot use the term ESSID.
Service Set
Identifier (SSID) is more generic and is a 32-character name that uniquely
identifies all the computers and equipments that make up a wireless network. A
type of SSID is ESSID. Another type of SSID is Basic Service Set Identifier
(BSSID). The BSSID is the MAC address of a wireless adapter or Access Point.
Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet
(PPPoE)
PPPoE is the
methodology of authenticating or validating a user or equipment to an Internet service provider, usually via a username and/or
password. It is a selection or action that reconfigures a device to the default
parameters, as it was originally manufactured.
Port
A port is a
connector on a networking device used to attach the network cable. Hubs and
switches have numerous ports that connect to computers on the network.
Protocol
Protocol refers to
a set of rules for sending and receiving information on a network. The rules
determine the format of the data that is transmitted and other aspects of
networking, such as how errors are detected and corrected. The protocol driver
in each computer is software that adheres to these rules when sending and
receiving information. These drivers are also often called protocols.
Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
TCP/IP refers to
the protocol that computers use to communicate over the
Internet. TCP determines how a computer breaks up data into small units, called
"packets," to be sent to another computer and how the receiving
computer reassembles the packets into a single file. IP determines how the
packets are routed across the Internet. See Internet Protocol.
Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)
A VLAN is a
network of computers that behave as if they are connected to the same wire,
even though they may be physically located on different segments of a LAN.
VLANs are configured through software rather than hardware, which makes them
extremely flexible. When a computer on a VLAN is physically moved to another
location, it can stay on the same VLAN without any hardware reconfigurations.
Virtual Server
A virtual server
is a device that performs Internet protocol (IP) mapping. IP mapping allows
remote client access to your network via the Internet.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A WAN is a communications
network that uses devices such as telephone lines, satellite dishes, or radio
waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN.
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
A WLAN is a type
of Local Area Network (LAN) that uses high frequency radio
waves rather than wires to communicate and transmit data among the network
clients and devices. It is a flexible data communication system implemented as
an extension to, or as an alternative for, a wired LAN. Just like a LAN, the
network lets users at that location share files, printers and other services.
xDSL Modem
DSL is a type of
service that allows people to access the Internet via their telephone lines.
This service is typically available via a telephone company or service
provider.
An xDSL connection
is a high-speed digital connection to the Internet using standard copper
twisted pair telephone wires. There are several kinds of DSL; the x refers to
all of them.
