Glossary of Networking Terms
In this fast paced world we live in, technology is constantly changing. New words and acronyms are added to our vocabulary
almost on a daily basis. Having a hard time keeping up? Take
a look through our glossary of Networking Terminology and
join the ranks of those “in the know”.
802.11 standard - Developed as a standard by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE, or I-triple-E), 802.11 is a radio technology used for wireless local area networks (WLANs). 802.11 is the parent standard of several technologies operating across several different frequencies.
802.11a - An IEEE wireless LAN specification standard that operates in 5 GHz frequency band with a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps.
802.11b - An IEEE wireless LAN specification standard that operates in 2.4 GHz frequency band with a maximum data transfer rate of 11 Mbps.
802.11g - An IEEE wireless LAN specification standard that operates in 2.4 GHz frequency band with a maximum data transfer rate of 11 Mbps. This technology distinguishes itself from 802.11b by using a different radio technology to boost bandwidth.
802.1x - 802.1x is a security standard for wired and wireless LANs. It provides an authentication framework that uses a challenge/response method to determine if a user is authorized.
Access Point - A device that creates wireless signal to allow users to connect wirelessly in a wired network.
Ad Hoc Mode - A wireless network topology in which devices communicate directly with one another without using an Access Point (AP) or connection to a wired network.
BlackBerry - a handheld device made by RIM (Research In Motion) that is marketed primarily for its wireless e-mail handling capability.
Blog - On the Internet, a blog (short for web log) is a personal journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. The essential characteristics of the blog are its journal form, typically a new entry each day, and its informal style.
Bridge - Connects any wired Ethernet device to a wireless network.
Broadband - Fast Internet connections typically at home such as DSL, and Cable that allow high bandwidth capability are considered broadband connection.
Bluetooth - A technology used to link laptop and desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cellular phones, allowing them to transmit data without the need for cables or wires. Bluetooth operates at 2.4 GHz and has a range of 30 feet.
Cable Modem - A device that works over coaxial line (TV), providing high bandwidth transfer rate, to access the Internet.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) - DSL allows a high bandwidth transfer rates using existing phone line, to access the Internet.
Ethernet - First generation of Ethernet transfers up to 10 Mbps. Fast Ethernet, the second generation transfers up to 100Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet, the third generation of Ethernet transfers up to 1000Mbps.
Firewall - A security feature that protects a network by preventing intruders to connect.
Hotspots - A place usually in public where you can access wireless connection to the Internet. Hotspots are commonly found at airports, hotels, coffee shops, libraries, restaurants, and convention centers.
IP (Internet Protocol) Address) - A unique number that identifies computers or devices on the network.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) - Company that provides Internet access such as Time Warner, Verizon, Lightlink, Clarity Connect, Earthlink, AOL, and many more.
LAN (Local Area Network) - Group of computers connected together that can share data and peripherals such as printers, scanners, and etc.
PCI Network Adapter - A device that connects a desktop to the network.
Roaming - In wireless networking, roaming refers to the ability to move from one access point coverage area to another without interruption in service or loss in connectivity.
Router - A device that connects LANs, WANs, and the Internet.
SSID (Service Set Identifier) - A network name that identifies the wireless network.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) - A standard interface commonly used to connect peripheral devices to computers.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) - Provides secured remote access to a network via the Internet by sending data in tunnels.
Voice over IP (VoIP) - VoIP is a set of technologies that enables voice to be sent over a packet network.
Warchalking - The act of making chalk marks on outdoor surfaces (walls, sidewalks, buildings, sign posts, trees) to indicate the existence of an open wireless network connection, usually offering an Internet connection so that others can benefit from the free wireless access. There are three basic designs that are currently used: a pair of back-to-back semicircles, which denotes an open node; a closed circle, which denotes a closed node; a closed circle with a "W" inside, which denotes a node equipped with WEP. Warchalkers also draw identifiers above the symbols to indicate the password that can be used to access the node, which can easily be obtained with sniffer software.
Wardriving - Wardriving is the term for finding and marking the locations and status of wireless networks. Wardrivers typically use software to determine whether the network is open or closed and a Global Position System device to record the location. A wardriver marks the spot either by using a symbol written in chalk on a building near the spot -- known as warchalking -- or mapping the locations and posting it on the Internet.
WAN (Wide Area Network) - A network that covers a large geographic area, usually two or more LANs.
WEP (Wired Encryption Privacy) - A standard security feature used to encrypt data over a wireless network to prevent intruders.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) - This trade term is promoted by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA). Products certified as Wi-Fi by WECA are interoperable even if they are from different manufacturers. A user with a Wi-Fi product can use any brand of access point with any other brand of client hardware that is built to the Wi-Fi standard.
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - A stronger and more secured encryption than WEP to prevent intruders from trying to connect to wireless networks.
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) - A type of LAN that uses high-frequency radio waves to communicate with devices rather than wires.
