ADSP - AppleTalk data stream protocol manages the flow of data between two established socket connections.
AEP - AppleTalk echo protocol uses echoes to tell if a computer, or node, is available.
AFP - AppleTalk Filing protocol - Makes network files appear local by managing file sharing at the presentation layer.
AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port. This bus is developed for fast video cards. It is currently up to 4X mode speed.
AMPS - Advanced Mobile Phone Service is analog cellular phone service.
API - Application Programming Interface.
APPC - Advanced Peer-to-Peer Communications provides peer to peer services at the transport and session layer.
APPN - Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking supports the computer connections at the network and transport layers.
Architecture - The method that is used to transmit packets on
a network. Sometimes the term architecture includes topology. An
example is ethernet.
ARCnet - Attached Resource Computer Network is an architecture using star and bus topology.
ARP - Address resolution Protocol is used to resolve the
hardware address of a card to package the ethernet data. It works at
the data link layer. RFC 826.
ARUP - AppleTalk update routing is a newer version of RTMP.
ASP - AppleTalk session protocol controls the starting and
ending of sessions between computers called nodes. It works at the
session level.
ASP - Active Server Pages is Microsoft's web server technology which can run Visual Basic or JAVA script.
ATM - Asynchronous Transfer Mode may be used over a variety of
media with both baseband and broadband systems. It uses fixed length
data packets of 53 bytes called cell switching.
ATP - AppleTalk Transaction Protocol provides a Transport Layer connection between computers.
attenuation - signal loss due to impedance.
AU - Access Unit provides access to resources like fax, telex, and teletex.
Backbone - Main cable used to connect computers on a network.
Bandwidth - Indicates the amount of data that can be sent in a
time period. Measured in Mbps which is one million bits per second.
Baseband - Data bits are defined by discrete signal changes.
BDC - Backup Domain Controller is a backup for a PDC
Bridge - Read the outermost section of data on the data
packet, to tell where the message is going. It reduces the traffic on
other network segments, since it does not send all packets but only
sends packets intended for that segment they are attached to.
Broadband - Uses analog signals to divide the cable into
several channels with each channel at its own frequency. Each channel
can only transmit one direction.
Broadcast - A transmission to all interface cards on the network.
Brouter - Will function similar to a bridge for network
transport protocols that are not routable, and will function as a
router for routable protocols.
BSC - Binary Synchronous Communication sends bits in frames
which are timed sequences of data. A possible SNA communications
architecture,
CCITT - International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee.
CDMA - Code division multiple access allows transmission of voice
and data over a shared part of radio frequencies. This is also called
spread spectrum.
CDPD - Cellular Digital Packet Data will allow network connections for mobile users using satellites.
cellular - An 800 Mhz band for mobile phone service.
CHAP - Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol is a three way handshake protocol which is considered more secure than PAP.
CIDR - Classless Inter Domain Routing.
Client - This computer requests resources for its use from a computer that provides the resource (a server).
CRC - Cyclic Redundancy check is a set of trailing data bytes in a message used to determine if an error occurred in a message.
CSMA/CD - Carrier-sense multiple-access with collision detection for controlling access to the network media.
CSU - Channel service unit used to connect to digital leased lines on the line side.
D-AMPS - Digital AMPS using TDMA to divide the channels into three channels.
DAS - Dual attachment stations are used by FDDI networks for servers and concentrators are attached to both rings.
DAT - Digital Audio Tape
Datagram - IP header and what is called a message or segment.
The message or segment is a transport header (TCP or UDP) and
application data. The term datagram is used to describe the information
before IP fragmentation or after reassembly.
DBMS - Database Management Systems are used to share data on a network.
DDE - Dynamic data exchange.
DDP - Datagram Delivery Protocol is a routable protocol that
provides for data packet transportation. It operates at the network
layer at the same level of the IP protocol.
DDS - Digital data service is a leased dedicated digital line.
DECnet - From Digital Equipment Corporation is a suite of
protocols which may be used on large networks that integrate mainframe
and minicomputer systems
DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is used to assign
IP addresses dynamically to network cards works at the application
layer. RFC 1541.
Direct sequence modulation - The data is broken into parts and transmitted simultaneously on multiple frequencies.
DLC - Data Link Control operates at the data link layer and is
designed for communications between Hewlett-Packard network printers
and IBM mainframe computers on a DECnet network.
DNA - Digital Network Architecture is a term from DECNet
DNS - Domain Name System is used on the internet to correlate
between IP address and readable names. RFC 1034, 1035, 1535-1537, 1591.
DRDA - Distributed Relational Database Architecture is from IBM.
DSU - Digital service unit used to connect to digital leased lines on the LAN side.
DTD - Document Type Definition.
DUN - Dial up networking.
DVM - Digital volt meter.
EGP - Exterior Gateway Protocol. Used between routers of different systems.
EIA - Electronic Industries Association .
EIGRP - Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol integrates
the bese capabilities of link-state protocols with distance vector
protocols capabilities.
EISA - Extended ISA used when the 80286 through 80486 series
microprocessors were being produced. It is backward compatible with
ISA.
EMI - Electromagnetic Interference.
Ethernet - A network architecture that uses carrier-sense
multiple-access with collision detection (CSMA/CD) for controlling
access to the network media and baseband broadcasts. It uses star
topology.
FDDI - Fiber Distributed Data Interface is a network
architecture normally used to send longer distances. Topology is ring
with two counter rotating rings for reliability with no hubs. Cable
type is fiber-optic.
FDMA - Frequency Division Multiple Access divides the cellular network into 30Khz channels.
Frame - The unit of transmission in a link layer protocol,
consisting of a link-layer header (ethernet) followed by a packet (IP
header and data). It may be a part of a fragmented datagram.
Frame Relay - Error checking is handled by devices at both
sides of the connection. Frame relay uses frames of varying length and
it operates at the data link layer of the OSI model. A permanent
virtual circuit (PVC) is established between two points on the network.
Frame relay speed is between 56Kbps and 1.544Mbps.
Frequency hopping - The transmitter and receiver change predetermined frequencies at the same time (in a synchronized manner).
FTP - File Transport Protocol is a TCP/IP protocol running at the application layer.
Gateway - A gateway can translate information between
different network data formats or network architectures. It can
translate TCP/IP to AppleTalk so computers supporting TCP/IP can
communicate with Apple brand computers. Not the same as a default
gateway used by a client to send packets to.
GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications.
HDML - Handheld Device Markup Language is a version of HTML only allowing text to be displayed.
HTML - Hypertext Markup Language is the format many files for
web viewing are in. It is a language with "mark-up" text included for
formatting.
HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol is the protocol used to communicate between web servers and web browser software clients.
Hub - A type of repeater used on several network architectures which usually connects several stations.
IAB - Internet Architecture Board
IANA - Internet Assigned Numbers Authority.
ICMP - Internet Control Message Protocol is used to perform
network error reporting and status. It works at the transport layer.
RFC 792.
IDC - Internet Database collector.
IETF - Internet Engineering Task Force. Sets Internet technical standards.
IGMP - Internet Group Management Protocol, used for managing multicast groups. RFC 1112.
IMAP4 - Internet Mail Access Protocol version 4 is the replacement for POP3
Impedance - The amount of resistance to the transmission device.
Infared - Infared is just below the visible range of light between 100Ghz and 1000Thz.
Interference - Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). Crosstalk -
When wires pick up electromagnetic signals from nearby wires also
carrying signals.
Internetwork - Several subnets connected together using routers.
InterNIC - Internet Network Information Center, the authority for allocating internet addresses.
Intranet - Refers to using internet technologies such as a web server on an internal network.
IP - Internet Protocol os used for software addressing of computers and works at the data link layer. RFC 791.
IPIP tunneling - Tunneling IP packets in IP packets. Used for VPN tunneling.
IPSec - Internet protocol security, developed by IETF,
implemented at layer 3. it is a collection of security measures that
address data privacy, integrity, authentication, and key management, in
addition to tunneling. Used for VPN.
IPX - Internetwork Packet Exchange supports the transport and
network layers of the OSI network model. Provides for network
addressing and routing. It provides fast, unreliable, communication
with network nodes using a connection less datagram service.
IRQ- Interrupt Request
IRTF - Internet Research Task force.
ISA - Industry Standard Architecture internal computer bus.
Used when the original 8088 8bit microprocessor based personal
computers were produced. (16 bit).
ISAKMP/Oakley - Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol Authentication.
ISAPI - Internet Server Application Programming Interface
ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network is a method of
sending voice and data information on a digital phone line. Two 64Kbps
B-channels with one 16Kbps D channel is provided with basic ISDN
service
ISP - Internet Service Provider
ISOC - Internet Society, promotes internet policies.
ITU - International Telecommunication Union.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol.
L2F - Layer2 Forwarding, works at the link layer of the OSI
model. It has no encryption. Being replaced by L2TP. It is used for
VPN.
L2TP - Layer 2 tunneling protocol (RFC 2661). Used for VPN tunneling.
LAN - Local Area Network
LDA - Local delivery agent on the receiving machine receives the mail from its MTA. This program is usually procmail.
LCP - Link Control Protocol
Link - Connects two network devices. Implemented by the data link layer.
LLC - Loc\gical link control is the interface between the lower and upper layer networking protocols.
LU - Logical Units are ports that users use to access network resources is an SNA term.
MAC - Media Access Control address. Basically a network card unique hardware address.
Mail notifier - This program notifies the recipient that they
have mail. Normally this requires two programs, biff and comsat. Biff
allows the administrator or user to turn on comsat service.
MAN- Metropolitan area network refers to a network which
connects several LANS over various media that is large enough to cover
an area the size of a city.
MAPI - Microsoft's Messaging API which is incorporated
throughout Microsoft's office products supports mail at the application
level.
MAU - Multistation access unit used by Token Ring Networks.
MBONE - Being on the MBONE means you are on a network that supports multicasting.
MCI - Microchannel architecture by IBM and used mainly on IBM
brand computers for the internal bus. Established in 1988. (16 or 32
bits).
MDBS - Mobile Data Base Station reviews all cellular channels at cellular sites.
Media - The hardware method used to connect computers over a
network. The three main types are copper cable, fiber optic cable, and
wireless.
Message - The unit of transmission in a transport layer
protocol. A TCP segment is a message which consists of a transport
protocol header followed by application data.
MHS - Message Handling Service by Novell is used for mail on Netware networks.
MIB - Management Information BASE specifies variables the network elements maintain. Works with the TCP/IP protocol SNMP.
MIME - Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension is the protocol that defines the way files are attached to SMTP messages.
MOTIS - Message-oriented text interchange system.
MS - Message Store is a storage area for messages that can't be delivered immediately when the recipient is off-line.
MTA - Message transfer agent is used to pass mail from the
sending machine to the receiving machine. There is a MTA program
running on both the sending and receiving machine. Sendmail is a MTA.
MTP - Multicast Transport Protocol is a new transport layer protocol designed for reliable multicast network message transport.
MTU - Maximum Transmission Unit is the maximum size of each data packet for the ethernet protocol.
MUA - Mail users agent. This is the program a user will use to
type e-mail. It usually incorporates an editor for support. The user
types the mail and it is passed to the sending MTA. This may also be
called the user agent (UA).
Multicasting - Transmitting to a group of interface cards on the network.
Multihomed - A host with multiple IP addresses.
NADN - Nearest Active Downstream Neighbor is a Token ring Architecture term.
NAU - Network Addressable Units is an SNA term.
NAUN - Nearest Active Upstream Neighbor is a Token ring Architecture term.
NAT - Network Address Translation.
NBF - NetBIOS Frame Protocol.
NBNS - NetBIOS Name Server. A server that maps NetBIOS names
to IP addresses. This service is provided by the nmbd daemon on Linux.
NBP - Name-binding protocol of the AppleTalk suite of protocols translates addresses into names.
NBT - NetBIOS over TCP/IP defined by RFC 1002.
NCP - NetWare Core Protocol provides for client/server
interactions such as file and print sharing. It works at the
application, presentation, and session levels.
NCP - Network Control Program performs routing, session
management tasks. It runs in the communications controller. It is an
SNA networking term.
NDIS - Network Driver Interface Specification from Microsoft,
is used on Microsoft networks. It allows multiple protocols to be used
on a network card and supports the data link layer of the network
model.
NetBEUI - NetBIOS Extended User Interface works at the
transport layer and provides data transportation. It is not a routable
transport protocol which is why NBT exists on large networks to use
routable TCP protocol on large networks.
NetBIOS - Network Basic Input Output System by Microsoft.
NetDDE - Network dynamic data exchange.
Network Operating System - Typically used to run computers
that act as servers, but may be used on various types of computers
today.
NFS - Network File System. A protocol that allows UNIX and Linux systems remotely mount each other's file systems. RFC 1094
NIC - Network interface card. Also called LAN adapters.
NNTP - Network News Transport Protocol is used to link newsgroups for discussions on the web
OC - Optical Carrier level, see SONET.
ODBC - Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) from Microsoft lets
application developers integrate database connections in applications.
It is an application programming interface (API). ODBC drivers convert
an application's query int SQL and send it to the database engine
program.
ODI - Open Data-link Interface operates at the data link layer allowing IPX to work with any network interface card.
OSI - Open Systems Interconnect is a suite of protocols
developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO) which
corresponds with the layers of the OSI model.
OSPF - Open Shortest Path First, a dynamic routing protocol. RFC 1247.
Packet - Includes an IP header and data. It may be a complete IP datagram or a fragment of an IP datagram.
PCI - Peripheral Component Interconnect internal computer bus.
The popular expansion bus of choice. It is significantly faster than
EISA. This is a 32bit bus with plug and play capability from Intel.
PDC - Primary Domain Controller is an NT server providing central control of user access permissions and accounts on a network.
PAP - Password Authentification Protocol is a two way handshake protocol designed for use with PPP.
PAP - Printer access protocol of the AppleTalk suite of protocols manages information between workstations and printers.
PCS - Personal communications Service is a 1.9 Ghz band for mobile phones.
Peer - A computer that can act as both a client and a server.
Plenum - Space above a false ceiling in an office area where
heat ducts and cables may be run. Plenum cabling is special fire
resistant cabling required for use in these areas due to fire hazards.
POP - Point of presence is each point at the end of the transport media (internet) when talking about VPN.
POP3 - Post Office Protocol version 3 is used by clients to
access an internet mail server to get mail. It is not a transport layer
protocol.
Protocol - A set of standards sets of standards that define
all operations within a network. There are various protocols that
operate at various levels of the OSI network model such as transport
protocols include TCP, SPX.
PPP - Point to Point Protocol, used for serial connections to a network ot the internet. (RFC 1332, 1548)
PPTP - Point to point tunneling protocol (RFC 2637) Used for VPN tunneling.
PU - Physical Units are a network device used to communicate with hosts. It is an SNA term.
RADIUS - Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service is used
for dial in clients to connect to other computers or a network. It
provides authentication and accounting when using PPTP or L2TP
tunneling.
RAID - Redundant Array of Inexpensive disks is a fault
tolerant method of storing data, meaning that a failure can occur and
the system will still function.
RARP -Reverse Address Resolution Protocol used for diskless
computers to determine their IP address using the network. It works at
the data link layer. RFC 903.
RAS - Remote Access Service (RAS) with Windows NT allows
users connecting to the network using a modem to use network resources.
The NT RAS server can handle 256 connections.
Redirector - it runs on a windows operating system and
directs requests for network resources to the appropriate server and
makes network resources seem to be local resources.
Repeater - Used on a network to regenerate signals to be sent over long distances or tie computers together on a network.
Resolver - Used as part of DNS, it is the client side asking for DNS information.
RIP - Routing Information Protocol, a dynamic routing
protocol. A distance-vector algorithm is used to calculate the best
route for a packet. RFC 1058, 1388 (RIP2).
Rlogin - Remote login between UNIX hosts. This is outdated and is replaced by Telnet.
Router - Routes data packets between two networks. It reads the information in each packet to tell where it is going.
RPC - Remote Procedure Call. A protocol invented by Sun
Microsystem to allow remote computers to invoke functions on other
hosts. RFC 1057.
RR - Resource Records are a part of the DNS database.
RTMP - Routing table maintenance protocol is used to update
routers with information about network status and address tables. The
whole address table is sent across the network.
S/Key - A one time password system, secure against replays. RFC 2289.
SAP - Service Advertising Protocol packets are used by file
and print servers to periodically advertise the address of the server
and the services available. It works at the application, presentation,
and session levels.
SAS - Single Attachment stations attached to one ring and used by FDDI networks to attach workstations to concentrators.
SDH - Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
SDLS - Synchronous Data Link Control is a possible SNA communications architecture.
Sector Sparing - A method of fault tolerance that
automatically identifies and marks bad sectors as not available. It is
also called hot-fixing.
Segment - The unit of end-to-end transmission in the TCP protocol which consists of a TCP header followed by application data.
Server - For the most part it provides resources on the network for other computers to use.
SGML - Standardized General Markup Language is the base
language for document publishing and is used to define XML, HTML and
more.
Shielding - Used to minimize interference.
SLED - Single Large Inexpensive disk - The concept that a
large disk costs less per amount of storage than several smaller ones.
Somehow this concept is used as a means of fault tolerance.
SLIP - Serial Line interface Protocol used to connect
serially to a network or internet. RFC 1055, 1144 (Compressed).
Replaced by PPP.
SMAU - Smart Multistation Access Unit.
SMB - Server Message Block protocol works at the presentation level to provide peer to peer communication.
SMDS - Switched Multi-megabit Data Service uses fixed length cell switching and runs at speeds of 1.533 to 45Mbps.
SMS - SMS - Systems Management Server from Microsoft can
collect information of software on each computer and can install and
configure new software on the client computers. It will also monitor
network traffic.
SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is a TCP protocol for mail transport running at the application layer. RFC 821, 822.
SNA - System Network Architecture by IBM is a suite of protocols mainly used with IBM mainframe and AS/400 computers.
SONET - Synchronous Optical Network is a physical layer
standard that defines voice, data, and video delivery methods over
fiber optic media. It defines data rates in terms of optical carrier
(OC) levels.
Spread spectrum - It uses several frequencies at the same time.
SPX - Sequenced Packet Exchange operates at the transport layer providing connection oriented communication on top of IPX.
SQL - Structured Query Language is a database access language. It is used by most client/server database applications.
SSCP - Systems Services Control Point manages all resources in the host's domain. An SNA term.
STP - Shielded Twisted Pair cable. 100 meter maximum length. 16-155 Mbps speed. Lower electrical interference than UTP
Subnet - A part of a network. A class B network may have several class C subnets. Usually routers are used to connect subnets.
TACACS - Offers authentication, accounting, and authorization.
T Carrier - Multiplexors are used to allow several channels on one line. The T1 line is basic T Carrier service.
TCP - Transport Control protocol is a connection oriented reliable protocol working at the transport layer. RFC 793.
TDI - Transport Driver Interface is a standard for passing
messages between the drivers at the data link layer and the protocols
working at the network layer such as IP or NetBEUI. It was produced by
Microsoft.
TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access uses time division
multiplexing to divide each cellular channel into three sub channels to
service three users at a time.
TDR - Time-domain reflectometer sends a sonar like electrical
pulse down a cable and can determine the location of a break in the
cable.
TFTP - Trivial File Transfer Protocol. RFC 1350.
Telnet - Remote session at the application layer. RFC 854.
Thicknet - Half inch rigid cable. Maximum cable length is 500
meters. Transmission speed is 10Mbps. Expensive and is not commonly
used. (RG-11 or RG-8).
Thinnet - Thinnet uses a British Naval Connector (BNC) on
each end. Thinnet is part of the RG-58 family of cable*. Maximum cable
length is 185 meters. Transmission speed is 10Mbps.
TIA - Telecommunications Industries Association .
TLD - Top Level domain
Token Ring - A network architecture developed by IBM which
sends tokens around a ring of computers to allow media access.
Standardized to IEEE 802.5
Topology - The shape of the physical connection of a network
with regard to repeaters and networked computers. The three main types
are ring, bus, and star.
UA - Users agent. This is the program a user will use to type
e-mail. It usually incorporates an editor for support. The user types
the mail and it is passed to the sending MTA. This may also be called
the mail user agent (MUA).
UDP - User Datagram Protocol is a connection less unreliable protocol working at the transport layer. RFC 768.
UNC - Universal Naming Convention is used to allow the use of shared resources without mapping a drive to them.
Unicast - A transmission to a single interface card.
URL - Universal Resource Relocator is a term used to describe
the name of a web based resource such as a web page or location of a
file for down loading.
UTP - Unshielded Twisted Pair cable. Normally UTP contains 8 wires or 4 pair. 100 meter maximum length. 4-100 Mbps speed.
VIM - Vendor-Independent Messaging protocol from Lotus
supports mail at the application level and is supported by many vendors
exclusive of Microsoft.
VPN - Virtual Private Networking. The function of VPN is to
allow two computers or networks to talk to each other over a transport
media that is not secure, but the network is made secure by VPN
security protocols.
W3C - World Wide Web Consortium, sets standards for the web working with the IETF.
WAN - Wide Area Network is larger than a MAN and may be an enterprise network or a global network.
WINS - Windows Internet Name Service is the Microsoft implementation of NetBIOS name service.
wireless bridge - Microwave or infared is used between two line of site points where it is difficult to run wire.
WML - Wireless markup language is another name for HDML.
X.25 - This is a set of protocols developed by the CCITT/ITU
which specifies how to connect computer devices over a internetwork.
X.400 - International Telecommunication Union standard defines transfer protocols for sending mail between mail servers.
X.500 - This is a recommendation outlining how an organization
can share objects and names on a large network. It is hierarchical
similar to DNS, defining domains consisting of organizations,
divisions, departments, and workgroups.
XML - Extensible Markup Language is a subset of SGML and is used widely on the web.
ZIP - Zone information protocol used with RTMP to map zones.
Routers use zone information tables (ZITs) to define network addresses
and zone names.
