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DSL
Digital Subscriber Line
A digital protocol designed for use on existing copper telephone lines. DSL is sometimes called "last-mile technology" because it's only
used to provide digital connections to "subscribers" in individual homes and offices, not to connect telco switches.
ISDN
Integrated Service Digital Network
ISDN was intended to eventually replace POTS phone lines with a digital network that would carry voice, data and video. A basic ISDN "phone
call" is a 64 kilobits per second, all-digital end-to-end channel.
There are different kinds of ISDN connections of varying bandwidth, but a Basic Rate Interface (BRI) is two 64K "bearer" channels and a
single "delta" channel ("2B+D"). Instead of a modem, ISDN uses a Terminal Adaptor (TA) that connects to computer and phone interfaces.
IRC
Internet Relay Chat
If you are connected to the Internet, and have IRC client software you can "chat" with similarly connected folks anywhere on the internet.
IRC enables live discussions, and unlike older chat systems, it allows mutilple participants.
ISP
Internet Service Provider
A company that provides Internet access to other companies and individuals. Also known as "access providers."
IP
Internet Protocol
The Internet protocol responsible for transmitting and routing packets of data. IP allows routers involved in the delivery process to talk to each
other and locate the destination address for packets.
InterNIC
Internet Network Information Center
The InterNIC is responsible for registering domain names and distributing RFCs. It also operates Net Scout and other services at
http://www.internic.net. Domain registration is funded by fees and the National Science Foundation (NSF) at http://www.nsf.gov/. InterNIC domain registration is currently operated by Network Solutions at
http://www.netsol.com/.
LAN
Local Area Network
The most common type of LAN is composed of PCs or workstations in a single building or a small group of buildings, and connected by ethernet.
CGI
Common Gateway Interface
CGI is most commonly used to handle the FORM requests for HTTP. This enables Webmasters to include forms in their Web pages. Perl is the traditional
language for CGI scripts
CO
Central Office
(Telephone Company) Central Office
BGP
Border Gateway Patrol
An Internet protocol commonly used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that allows autonomous systems (routers) to share routing information,
ensuring that efficient, loop-free routes are established.
BPS
Bits Per Second
The standard measure of data transmission speeds.
ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. Designed for an uneven data flow, where client-to-server data flow is a
fraction of the server-to-client data. Upstream data flow can typically be measured in kbps while the downstream data flow is measured in mbps.
ARP
Address Resolution Protocol
The protocol that translates IP addresses into physical network addresses so that a packet of data addressed to a particular host to find its
location on a network.
ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
A network technology based on transferring data in cells or packets of fixed size. The cell used with ATM is relatively small compared to units used
with older technologies. The small, constant cell size allows ATM equipment to transmit video, audio, and computer data over the same network, and assure that no single type of data monopolizes the line.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DHCP is used on Microsoft NT LANs to dynamically assign IP addresses to computers. With dynamic addressing, the network administrator doesn't need
to manage a list of all IP addresses. It also allows more devices to connect than a static list would allow, though the number of machines logged on at one time cannot exceed the total number of IP addresses
available. DHCP allows a mix of static and dynamic IP addresses. Static addresses for servers and dynamic addresses for clients is a common use, and a static address for the DHCP server is imperative.
DHTML
Dynamic HyperText Markup Language
Dynamic HTML is a term used by some vendors to describe the combination of HTML, style sheets and scripts that allows Web pages to become dynamic --
that is, capable of responding to user actions, the way a software program responds. By comparison, static pages cannot respond (other than to link you to another page).
DNS
Domain Name Service
DNS servers convert domain names to IP addresses, which are used by the Internet communications protocols. The DNS database is distributed among
thousands of name servers.
GB
GigaByte
A unit of measurement often used to describe file size or hard disk space. 1 GB = 1024 MegaBytes or 2 ^30.
HTTP
HyperText Transport Protocol
HyperText Transfer Protocol defines how messages are formatted and transmitted on the World Wide Web, and how Web servers and browsers should act
and react. For example, when you enter a URL in your browser, HTTP converts it to commands directing a Web server to fetch and transmit the requested Web page.
HTTP is designed to be quick and efficient at transmitting Web pages. New technologies, including ActiveX, Java and JavaScript are being used
increasingly with HTTP to make Web sites more interactive.
KBPS
KiloBits Per Second
A measure of data transfer speed. Note: One Kbps is 1,000 bits per second, whereas a KB (kilobyte) is 1,024 bytes.
KB
Kilobyte
One thousand bytes. Used as a measure of data transmission.
MB
Megabyte
One million bytes.
Mbps
Megabits per second
Literally "one million bits," a megabit is actually 1,048,576 bits. Mbps are used to express communication and data transfer rates.
Ethernet speed is 10 mbps, token ring can operate at 4 or 16 mbps.
MIME
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
MIME extends the format of Internet mail to allow non-US-ASCII textual messages, non-textual messages, multipart message bodies, and non-US-ASCII
information in message headers.
MIS
Management Information Systems
The department responsible for collecting, analyzing and distributing an organization's information using that organization's computer system(s).
Responsibilities may include maintaining the quality of information and control of the hardware and software. (MIS sometimes refers to a class of software that provides tools for managers to organize and evaluate
their departments.)
MODEM
MOdulator/DEModulator
A serial communications device used in pairs. The sending modem modulates, or converts digital signals from a computer to analog tones that can be
transmitted over telephone lines. The receiving modem demodulates, or converts waves back to a digital form again. Modems can be internal or external, and operate at various speeds depending on the communications
protocols they support.
MPEG
Moving Picture Experts Group
A family of compression standards for digital video, named after the organization that created it, the Moving Picture Experts Group. The compression
techniques allow video to be stored in much less space than it would take otherwise.
NAP
Network Access Point
One of the main network connections that make up the Internet. NAPs are a public network exchange facility where Internet Service Providers can
connect with one another. The connections within these points determine how traffic is routed and are the sites of most Internet congestion.
NNTP
Network News Transfer Protocol
The protocol used to transmit Usenet newsgroup messages.
NOS
Network Operating System
An operating system featuring special functions for connecting computers and devices into a Local Area Network (LAN). While some operating systems,
such as Mac OS and UNIX, have networking capabilities built in, the term Network Operating System is generally reserved for software that adds networking features to an existing basic operating system.
NIC
Network Interface Card
Also referred to as a network adapter. It's installed in a computer so network cables can be attached.
ODBC
Open DataBase Connectivity
A standard set of drivers and SQL interface that allow applications and programming languages to access a group of databases.
OS
Operating System
The system software used by computers to schedule tasks and control the use of system resources. The OS may be split into a kernel and various
system utility programs.
OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
A company that makes computers, rather than just selling them. One company may be the OEM several other brand names.
PGP
Pretty Good Privacy
A high security public-key encryption application that allows file and message exchanges with privacy and authentication. The key allows
verification of users. The public feature means secure channels are not needed to exchange keys between users.
POP
Post Office Protocol / Point of Presence
Protocol used for retrieving messages at email servers. Most servers now support POP3.
The point of dialup access provided by an ISP. The location and area code determine whether your call will be at local or long distance rates.
PING
Packet Internet Groper
A TCP/IP utility used to determine whether other machines are online. Ping sends an ICMP echo request and waits for a reply.
POTS
Plain Old Telephone Service
The standard analog phone lines used in most homes and businesses for years. POTS is a low-bandwidth communication technology when compared to
digital services like ISDN and ADSL.
PPP
Point to Point Protocol
PPP is the Internet Standard protocol for transmission of IP packets over modems and other serial connections. It replaces the older and less
reliable SLIP protocol.
PPTP
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
An enhanced form of PPP that encapsulates or "tunnels" packets of TCP/IP data to allow it to be transmitted over non-TCP/IP networks.
RFC
Request For Comments
Part of the Internet process for establishing standards. In some cases, RFC documents have been taken as the the standard, but all standards are
recorded in the RFCs. They are in informal but influential documents usually written by individuals or small working groups.
The RFCs are available from a variety of locations, including anonymous FTP from ftp://ds.internic.net/rfc/ and on the web at
http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/information/rfc.html
RARP
Reverse Address Resolution Protocol
The Internet protocol that permits a network (MAC) address to be translated into an IP address by sending a request to an RARP server. Also used by
diskless workstations to determine their own IP addresses at startup.
S-HTTP
Secure HyperText Transfer Protocol
Secure HyperText Transfer Protocol is an extension to HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol ), designed to send individual messages securely over the
Internet. It has been submitted to the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) for approval as a standard
S/MIME
Secure Multipurpose Mail Extension
A security standard for Internet email, developed by RSA Data Security. The technology is used by a number of major vendors; the latest browsers
from both Netscape and Microsoft rely on S/MIME for security.
SLIP
Serial Line Internet Protocol
A protocol for establishing dial-up connections to the Internet. SLIP defines how IP packets or datagrams are packaged for transmission over modems
and other serial connections.
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
The Internet protocol for sending email messages.
SQL
Structured Query Language
Can be pronounced "sequel" or "ess cue ell." The de facto and recognized standard language used with relational databases. SQL
compatibility and constructs are often embedded in other programming languages.
SSL
Secure Sockets Layer
Secure Sockets Layer is designed to establish a secure connection between two computers, and has been submitted to IETF (Internet Engineering Task
Force) for approval as a standard.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol
Allows for file uploads and downloads over TCP/IP networks. Anonymous FTP allows users to download files from public directories without having to
have an established account on an FTP server. In most cases you login as "anonymous" use your email address as a password, and access files in a subdirectory called "pub."
T1
T1 Channel
A high-speed (1.544 megabits per second) digital telephone line, the equivalent of 24 individual 64Kbps channels multiplexed together. A T1 can be
used to transmit voice or data, and many are used to provide connections to the Internet. Also know as a DS1 or Digital Signal 1.
T3
T3 Channel
An ultra-high-speed (45 megabits per second) digital telephone line.
TCP
Transmission Control Protocol
The part of the TCP/IP protocol that provides reliable, connection-oriented data transmission. TCP ensures reliable delivery by retransmitting lost
or corrupted packets. It also guarantees that packets are passed to the application layer same order in which they were transmitted.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol
The basic communications protocols of the internet. Also used on other data networks
TFTP
Trivial File Transfer Protocol
A simplified version of FTP relies on UDP rather than TCP for data transport.
UDP
User Datagram Protocol
UDP is a quick protocol that does not require the sender and receiver to establish a connection before data is transmitted. To achieve this, UDP
doesn't guarantee that datagrams will arrive in the same order they were sent, or even that they will arrive.
W3C
World Wide Web Consortium
Founded in 1994 by Tim Berners-Lee, "inventor" of the Web, the W3C is the official standards body for many existing and proposed Web
standards, notably HTTP, HTML and XML.
WAN
Wide Area Network
A group of computers networked together over a large geographical area. WANs may use a variety of technologies for both the hardware and software
software connectivity. Often a collection of Local Area Networks (LANs)
WWW
World Wide Web
Also know as "the Web" and "the World Wide Wait." It is composed of HTML pages residing on numerous Internet HTTP servers. Web
pages are available to browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer on computers connected to the Interne
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