| 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 |
A 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 |
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 method that uses
up to 256-bit key encryption to secure data. |
| 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 |
Data transmitted on your wireless network that
keeps the network synchronized. |
| 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 |
An application program that provides a way to
look at and interact with all the information on the World Wide Web.
|
| Buffer |
A shared or assigned memory area that is used
to support and coordinate different computing and networking activities
so one isn't held up by the other. |
| Byte |
A unit of data that is usually eight bits long.
|
| Cable Modem |
A device that connects a computer to the cable
television network, which in turn connects to the Internet. |
| CSMA/CA |
(Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance)
A method of data transfer that is used to prevent data collisions.
|
| 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) Allows the hosting
of a website, FTP server, or e-mail server with a fixed domain name (e.g.,
www.xyz.com) and a dynamic IP address. |
| 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) Frequency transmission
with a redundant bit pattern resulting in a lower probability of information
being lost in transit. |
| 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 |
The programming code that runs a networking device.
|
| 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 device that interconnects networks with different,
incompatible communications protocols. |
| 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 bandwidth utilized in wireless 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. |
| NAT |
(Network Address Translation) Traversal A method
of enabling specialized applications, such as Internet phone calls, video,
and audio, to travel between your local network and the Internet. STUN
is a specific type of NAT traversal. |
| 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) Frequency
transmission that separates the data stream into a number of lower-speed
data streams, which are then transmitted in parallel to prevent information
from being lost in transit. |
| Packet |
A unit of data transmitted over a network.
|
| Passphrase |
Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies
the WEP encryption process by automatically generating the WEP encryption
keys for Linksys products. |
| 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 |
The connection point on a computer or networking
device used for plugging in a cable or an adapter. |
| 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. |
| RTP |
(Real-time Transport Protocol) A protocol that
enables specialized applications, such as Internet phone calls, video,
and audio, to occur in real time. |
| RTS |
(Request To Send) A networking method of coordinating
large packets through the RTS Threshold setting. |
| 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".
|
| SOHO |
(Small Office/Home Office) Market segment of professionals
who work at home or in small offices. |
| SPI |
(Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall A technology
that inspects incoming packets of information before allowing them to
enter the network. |
| 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. |
A 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. |
| Switch 2. |
A device for making, breaking, or changing the
connections in an electrical circuit. |
| TCP |
(Transmission Control Protocol) A network protocol
for transmitting data that requires acknowledgement from the recipient
of data sent. |
| 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) A security measure to
protect data as it leaves one network and goes to another over the Internet.
|
| 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 |
Windows 98 and Me 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 |
(Wi-Fi 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.
|
