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Guide to Acronyms


 
 

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Glossary


802.11a
An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps and an operating frequency of 5 GHz.
802.11b
An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11 Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz.
802.11g
An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.
802.11n
An IEEE wireless networking standard that significantly improves network throughput over previous standards, and offers backwards compatibility with 802.11b and 802.11g devices. 802.11n uses multiple receivers and transmitters, a technology known as MIMO (multiple input, multiple output).
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 or other device, such as a printserver.
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)
An encryption method that supports these key sizes: 128-bit, 192-bit, and 256-bit.
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 email 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.
Dual Band
Dual band technology can operate in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands which helps minimize interference. Operation may be selectable (one band at a time) or simultaneous, doubling available wireless bandwidth and network capacity.
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.
Entertainment Optimized Networking
Technology that prioritizes network traffic so that time-sensitive applications like HD video stream smoothly. Also known as Media Optimized Networking.
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 email address.
Firewall
A firewall is a security scheme that prevents 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.
Hybrid Dual Band
Hybrid dual band work with Wireless-G in one radio band and Wireless-N in the other radio band.
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.
LELA (Linksys EasyLink Advisor)
LELA is an application that provides an easy way to set up, view, manage, and repair your network.
MAC (Media Access Control) Address
A MAC address is the hardware address of a device connected to a shared network medium.
Mac OS X
The computer operating system developed by Apple, and is used by all Macintosh computers.
Mbps (Megabits Per Second)
One million bits per second; a unit of measurement for data transmission.
Media Extender
A media extender streams digital media files (video, music, photos) stored from the computer to a home entertainment device such as a TV, stereo, or home theater system.
Media Hub
A device that receives digital media content (especially digital music collections) streamed from a computer to a stereo or home theater system.
Media Optimized Networking
Technology that prioritizes network traffic so that time-sensitive applications like HD video stream smoothly. Also known as Entertainment Optimized Networking.
Media Server
A media server is a computer or hardware device that stores and shares digital media files such as video, music, and photos.
MIMO
MIMO, or multiple-input and multiple-output, is radio technology that utilizes multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to improve range and performance.
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.
Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Data storage technology that can be connected directly to a computer network to provide centralized data access and storage to network clients.
Network Storage System (NSS)
A network storage system organizes and saves data in an accessible and efficient manner. Ideal for storing, backing up, sharing, and archiving critical files.
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.
 

 

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