34
Appendix C: Glossary
10/100/1000 Gigabit Network Adapter
Infrastructure
- Currently installed computing and networking equipment.
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.
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.
MAC
(Media Access Control) Address - The unique address that a manufacturer assigns to each networking
device.
Mbps
(Megabits Per Second) - One million bits per second; a unit of measurement for data transmission.
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.
Packet
- A unit of data sent over a network.
Ping
(Packet INternet Groper) - An Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP address is online.
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.
RJ-45
(Registered Jack-45) - An Ethernet connector that holds up to eight wires.
Router
- A networking device that connects multiple networks together, such as a local network and the Internet.
Server
- Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications,
and other services.