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 PC 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. 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 computers 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 identifying 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 TrueMobile 2300 Wireless 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 labeled 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, just like you 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 PC 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.
