Network Network Network

These days I experienced some problems with my high speed internet connection. ISP can offer no more assistance because a vast array of speed tests seem always be running at an expected level when we telephoned them. I came across some very familiar network terms when I tried to figure it out by myself. Truly, only after something went wrong did I notice the necessity to always prepare oneself with all kinds of expertise, more or less, for the unexpected.

Some Network Terms for Relearning:

Adapter (network) - A circuit board that plugs into a computer to let the computer connect to a network.

Beacon interval - A beacon is a periodic broadcast by the router to keep the network synchronized. The interval indicates how often the router broadcasts the beacon.

Broadband - When multiple signals or channels (such as voice, data, and video) share the bandwidth of a single medium.

Browser - A program running on a computer which makes it possible to view and interact with the Internet.

Cable modem - A broadband device that uses a coaxial cable to connect to an ISP to access the Internet.

CAT 5 - The minimum standard of twisted-pair cable suitable for data transmission over a computer network

Data packet - A unit of transmitted data. For more information, see "packet."

Default gateway - A routing device that forwards data over a local network.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - DHCP lets a router or access point router temporarily assign an IP address to a computer on the network.

DMZ (demilitarized zone) - DMZ hosting lets a single computer on your LAN expose all of its ports to the Internet. When you set up DMZ hosting on acomputer, you bypass the security provided by a router. Consider port forwardingas an alternative to DMZ hosting.

DNS - A database that translates and stores domain and host names as IP addresses.

Domain - A set of IP addresses usually "owned" by a company. For example, in an e-mail address the name of the domain comes after the @ symbol.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) - A broadband Internet connection that uses an ordinary telephone line to provide a fast, "always on" connection to the Internet.

DTIM (Delivery Traffic Indication Message) - A message sent by the router to a wireless network device to indicate when the next broadcast or multicast message will be sent. This parameter is necessary to accommodate devices using power save mode.

Dynamic IP address - An IP address that is temporarily assigned by a DHCPserver. Many ISPs use dynamic IP addresses. When a computer connects the Internet, an ISP provides an IP address. When the computer disconnects from the Internet, the ISP reassigns the dynamic IP address to another computer requesting Internet access.

Dynamic routing - In dynamic routing, a router is configured to automatically generate routing information and share the information with neighboring routers.

Encryption - The translation of data into a secret code. Encryption is the most effective way to achieve data security. To read an encrypted file, you must have the encryption key (code) associated with the encrypted data. Encryption is especially useful when you are using a wireless network because it prevents outsiders from accessing data. Each computer on a wireless network must use the same encryption code.

Ethernet - Ethernet is a common technology used to create computer networks.Wired Ethernet uses cables to link computers, hubs, switches, routers. Wireless Ethernet uses radio waves to create links.

Firmware - Firmware is programming that is inserted into programmable read-only memory (programmable ROM), thus becoming a permanent part of a computing device. Firmware cannot be modified by a user. Updating firmware requires a special program usually provided by the hardware manufacturer.

Fragmentation - The process of breaking data into small segments for transmitting. When the segments are received, the data is defragmented and returned to its original format.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - A simple method of transferring files from one computer to another.

Gateway - A system that joins two networks together.

Hardware - Physical equipment as opposed to software. A router is a hardware device.

HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol) - A system that lets Web browsers and Web servers communicate.

Hub - A hardware device that joins multiple computers to create a network.

IP address - A a number that uniquely identifies a computer on the network.

IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) - A standard method for providing data confidentiality, integrity, and the authentication between participating hosts.

ISP (Internet service provider) - A company that provides access to the Internet. Most ISPs also provide e-mail addresses.

LAN (local area network) - A LAN uses network hardware, such as network adapters, hubs, cables, and wireless devices, to link multiple computers for sharing resources, such files, printers, and an Internet connection.

MAC (Media Access Control) Address - A unique number assigned to networking hardware, such as routers, hubs, and network interface cards by the manufacturer.

Mbps (MegaBits Per Second) - Transfer speed of 1 million bits per second.

Network - Two or more computers linked together for the purpose of sharing resources, such as files, printers, or a Internet connection. Routers are often used to link the device, especially if the network includes more than two computers.

Packet - A unit of transmitted data. When a server sends information, such as e-mail messages and files, through the Internet, the server divides the information into packets that contains identifying information called headers and footers. The system receiving the information uses the headers and footers to reassemble the information.

Passphrase - Similar to a password, a passphrase is a sequence of characters used by the router to create encryption keys.

Ping (Packet INternet Groper) - A network utility that determines if a remote device, such as a server, can be reached on the network.

Plug-and-play - If a device is a plug-and-play device, a computer can automatically detect and configure the device and install the appropriate software called a device driver.

Port - A computer program using TCP/IP sends information to another computer through a port. Ports are assigned numbers that come after a standard IP address. Many programs hide these port numbers to reduce the complexity of TCP/IP.

Port forwarding - Port forwarding, unlike DMZ hosting, lets a single computer on your LAN expose only one of its ports to the Internet. This type of port exposure has more security than DMZ hosting.

PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet) - A communications protocol that combines the Ethernet and Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) standards. PPPoEis sometimes used with broadband modems.

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) - A protocol that lets a private network connect securely to another private network through private "tunnels" over the public Internet. This kind of interconnection is known as a virtualprivate network (VPN).

Protocol - A set of communication rules. When two computers or networksuse the same protocol, they can communicate with each other.

RIP (Routing Information Protocol) - A protocol used by a router to maintain routing tables of configuration information to filter incoming and outgoing traffic based on the IP addresses of the senders and receivers.

RJ-45 - RJ-45 jacks connect a computer to a router. In a wired network, one end of a network cable is plugged into the RJ45 jack on a computer. The other end of the cable is plugged into an RJ45 jack on a router. Data is passed to and from the computer and router through the RJ45 jacks.

Router - A hardware device that connects devices in a network. A router can also provide Internet access to the networked devices.

RTS (Request To Send) - A signal sent by a receiving device, like a router, that tells the sending device to begin transmission.

Server - A computer that provides shared network service to a network. For example, a server can provide file and printer sharing between networked computers.

SSID (Service Set IDentifier) - In a wireless network, the SSID identifies a network. All computer in the network must use the same SSID.

Static IP address - An IP address that is permanently assigned to a device.

Static routing - The routing of network information through a single, set path.

Subnet mask - This number identifies what subnetwork the computer is located on. This number is the same on all computers on a home network.

Switch - Like a hub, a switch is a hardware device that links computers to createa network. A switch provides better data routing than a hub.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) - A protocol used in connection with Internet Protocol (IP) to let computers communicate over the Internet.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - A combination of two protocols (TCP and IP) that lets computers communicate with Web servers.

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) - UDP is a simpler, faster protocol than TCP.UDP is used with IP. Unlike TCP, UDP drops packets without retries and packetsare received in a different order than they were sent. UDP is often used in videoconferencing applications or games where speed is preferred over guaranteed message delivery.

Upgrade - An addition or update to a program that provides additional features or "fixes".

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - A standard method of specifying a Web location. Also called a Web address.

VPN (Virtual Private Network) - A private network link that lets a computer communicate with another network over the Internet. VPNs usually use encryption to provide secure communication.

WAN (Wide Area Network) - A network that provides data communications to a large number of independent users spread over a large geographic area. A WAN often links several networks. The Internet is a WAN.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) - A protocol that adds security to wireless local area networks (WLANs). WEP uses encryption to provide security.