Term

Definition

802.11a

An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz.

802.11b

An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11g

An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

Access Point

Device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless network.

Adapter

This is a device that adds network functionality to your PC.

Ad-hoc

A group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access point.

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

A symmetric 128-bit block data encryption technique.

Backbone

The part of a network that connects most of the systems and networks together, and handles the most data.

Bandwidth

The transmission capacity of a given device or network.

Beacon Interval

The frequency interval of the beacon, which is a packet broadcast by a router to synchronize a wireless network.

Bit (Binary Digit)

The smallest unit of information on a machine.

Boot

To start a device and cause it to start executing instructions.

Bridge

A device that connects two different kinds of local networks, such as a wireless network to a wired Ethernet network.

Broadband

An always-on, fast Internet connection.

Browser

A browser is an application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the World Wide Web.

Buffer

A block of memory that temporarily holds data to be worked on later when a device is currently too busy to accept the data.

CSMA

Carrier Sense Multiple Access

CA (Certification Authority)

The role of the CA in this process is to guarantee that the individual granted the unique certificate is, in fact, who he or she claims to be.

CTS (Clear To Send)

A signal sent by a device to indicate that it is ready to receive data.

Daisy Chain

A method used to connect devices in a series, one after the other.

Database

A collection of data that is organized so that its contents can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.

DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System)

The capability of having a website, FTP, or e-mail server-with a dynamic IP address-use a fixed domain name.

Default Gateway

A device that forwards Internet traffic from your local area network.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

A protocol that lets one device on a local network, known as a DHCP server, assign temporary IP addresses to the other network devices, typically computers.

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

Removes the Router's firewall protection from one PC, allowing it to be "seen" from the Internet.

DNS (Domain Name Server)

The IP address of your ISP's server, which translates the names of websites into IP addresses.

Domain

A specific name for a network of computers.

Download

To receive a file transmitted over a network.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

An always-on broadband connection over traditional phone lines.

DSSS (Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum)

A type of radio transmission technology that includes a redundant bit pattern to lessen the probability of data lost during transmission. Used in 802.11b networking.

DTIM (Delivery Traffic Indication Message)

A message included in data packets that can increase wireless efficiency.

Dynamic IP Address

A temporary IP address assigned by a DHCP server.

EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol)

A general authentication protocol used to control network access. Many specific authentication methods work within this framework.

EAP-PEAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol-Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol)

A mutual authentication method that uses a combination of digital certificates and another system, such as passwords.

EAP-TLS (Extensible Authentication Protocol-Transport Layer Security)

A mutual authentication method that uses digital certificates.

Encryption

Encryption is the manipulation of data to prevent accurate interpretation by all but those for whom the data is intended.

Ethernet

An IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common transmission medium.

Finger

A program that tells you the name associated with an e-mail address.

Firewall

A firewall is any of security schemes that prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to a computer network or that monitor transfers of information to and from the network.

Firmware

1. In network devices, the programming that runs the device.
2. Programming loaded into read-only memory (ROM) or programmable read-only memory (PROM) that cannot be altered by end-users.

Fragmentation

Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

A standard protocol for sending files between computers over a TCP/IP network and the Internet.

Full Duplex

The ability of a networking device to receive and transmit data simultaneously.

Gateway

A system that interconnects networks.

Half Duplex

Data transmission that can occur in two directions over a single line, but only one direction at a time.

Hardware

The physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other information technology devices.

Hacker

A slang term for a computer enthusiast. Also refers to individuals who gain unauthorized access to computer systems for the purpose of stealing and corrupting data.

HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol)

The communications protocol used to connect to servers on the World Wide Web.

IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)

An independent institute that develops networking standards.

Infrastructure

Currently installed computing and networking equipment.

Infrastructure Mode

Configuration in which a wireless network is bridged to a wired network via an access point.

IP (Internet Protocol)

A protocol used to send data over a network.

IP Address

The address used to identify a computer or device on a network.

IPCONFIG

A Windows 2000 and XP utility that displays the IP address for a particular networking device.

IPSec (Internet Protocol Security)

A VPN protocol used to implement secure exchange of packets at the IP layer.

ISM band

Radio band used in wireless networking transmissions.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

A company that provides access to the Internet.

LAN (Local Area Network)

The computers and networking products that make up the network in your home or office.

LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol)

A mutual authentication method that uses a username and password system.

MAC (Media Access Control) Address

A MAC address is the hardware address of a device connected to a shared network medium.

Mbps (Megabits Per Second)

One million bits per second; a unit of measurement for data transmission.

mIRC

An Internet Relay Chat program that runs under Windows.

Multicasting

Sending data to a group of destinations at once.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

NAT technology translates IP addresses of the local area network to a different IP address for the Internet. The router assigns one public IP address for the entire local network. Each computer has its own private IP address assigned by the router. When a computer sends information out over the Internet the router uses the public IP address so the individual computer is hidden.

Network

A series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission between users.

NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol)

The protocol used to connect to Usenet groups on the Internet.

Node

A network junction or connection point, typically a computer or work station.

OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)

A type of modulation technology that separates the data stream into a number of lower-speed data streams, which are then transmitted in parallel. Used in 802.11a, 802.11g, and powerline networking.

Packets

A packet is a short block of data transmitted in a packet switching network.

PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol)

A protocol for transmitting authentication data, including passwords, over 802.11 wireless networks.

Ping (Packet INternet Groper)

An Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP address is online.

PoE (Power over Ethernet)

A technology enabling an Ethernet network cable to deliver both data and power.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3)

A standard protocol used to retrieve e-mail stored on a mail server.

Port

1. The connection point on a computer or networking device used for plugging in a cable or an adapter.
2. The virtual connection point through which a computer uses a specific application on a server.

PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet)

A type of broadband connection that provides authentication (username and password) in addition to data transport.

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)

A VPN protocol that allows the Point to Point Protocol (PPP) to be tunneled through an IP network. This protocol is also used as a type of broadband connection in Europe.

Preamble

Part of the wireless signal that synchronizes network traffic.

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service)

A protocol that uses an authentication server to control network access.

RJ-45 (Registered Jack-45)

An Ethernet connector that holds up to eight wires.

Roaming

The ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection.

Router

A networking device that connects multiple networks together, such as a local network and the Internet.

RTS (Request To Send)

A packet sent when a computer has data to transmit. The computer will wait for a CTS (Clear To Send) message before sending data.

Server

Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications, and other services.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

The standard e-mail protocol on the Internet.

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

A widely used network monitoring and control protocol.

Software

Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a "program".

SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall

The term firewall is a blanket term describing security measures that protect a network. Because the router is your network's connection to the Internet, a router with a built-in firewall protects your entire local network, like an alarm system for your house. SPI is a type of firewall that inspects incoming data packets to make sure they correspond to an outgoing request. Unsolicited-and possibly harmful-packets are rejected.

Spread Spectrum

Wideband radio frequency technique used for more reliable and secure data transmission.

SSID (Service Set IDentifier)

Your wireless network's name.

Static IP Address

A fixed address assigned to a computer or device that is connected to a network.

Static Routing

Forwarding data in a network via a fixed path.

Subnet Mask

An address code that determines the size of the network.

Switch

1. Device that is the central point of connection for computers and other devices in a network, so data can be shared at full transmission speeds.
2. A device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

A network protocol for transmitting data that requires acknowledgement from the recipient of data sent.

Telnet

A user command and TCP/IP protocol used for accessing remote PCs.

Throughput

The amount of data moved successfully from one node to another in a given time period.

TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol)

A version of the TCP/IP FTP protocol that uses UDP and has no directory or password capability.

TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)

A wireless encryption protocol that periodically changes the encryption key, making it harder to decode.

TLS (Transport Layer Security)

Is a protocol that guarantees privacy and data integrity between client/server applications communicating over the Internet.

Topology

The physical layout of a network.

TX Rate

Transmission Rate.

UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

A network protocol for transmitting data that does not require acknowledgement from the recipient of the data that is sent.

Upgrade

To replace existing software or firmware with a newer version.

Upload

To transmit a file over a network.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

The address of a file located on the Internet.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

When your data transmission leaves your local network, the data itself is not protected, unless you establish a VPN. When you use a VPN, you are creating a secure connection between your network and another one over the Internet. VPNs are frequently used by businesses. Here are a few examples

• A branch office has a VPN connection with the corporate headquarters office.
• A telecommuter has a VPN connection from his home office to the local office.
• Using her laptop, a corporate trainer who's on the road has a VPN connection from the hotel room to the office.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A group of networked computers in a large geographical area. The best example of a WAN is the Internet.

WEP (Wired Equivalency Protocol)

WEP is a security protocol for wireless networks. WEP aims to provide security by encrypting data over radio waves so that it is protected as it is transmitted from one end point to another. A shared key (similar to a password) is used to allow communication between the computers and the router. WEP offers a basic, but satisfactory level of security for wireless data transmission.

WINIPCFG

A Windows 98 and Millennium utility that displays the IP address for a particular networking device.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)

A group of computers and associated devices that communicate with each other wirelessly.

WPA (WiFi Protected Access)

A security protocol for wireless networks that builds on the basic foundations of WEP. It secures wireless data transmission by using a key similar to WEP, but the added strength of WPA is that the key changes dynamically. The changing key makes it much more difficult for a hacker to learn the key and gain access to the network.

WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2)

WPA2 is the second generation of WPA security and provides a stronger encryption mechanism through Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is a requirement for some government users.

WPA-Personal

A version of WPA that uses long and constantly changing encryption keys to make them difficult to decode.

WPA-Enterprise

A version of WPA that uses the same dynamic keys as WPA-Personal and also requires each wireless device to be authorized according to a master list held in a special authentication server.