Bandwidth - The amount of data that can be sent across a wire in any given time (usually in one second). Each communication that passes along the wire decreases the amount of available bandwidth.
Bridge - This is the interconnection device that links
LANs. A bridge is a device that enables two networks to exchange data.
B2B - Business to business type of service.
B2C - Business to consumer type of service. Like
http://www.amazon.com .
C2B - Consumer are given a platform to serve a business, like
http://www.ideas.com .
C2C - Peer-to-peer website where users can provide each other with goods, bypassing big business altogether. Like
http://www.napster.com .
Diginet - A dedicated digital line permanently connected.
Ethernet - A system of communication for
LANs by coaxial, twisted pair or
fibre-optic cable that prevents simultaneous transmission by more than one station.
Fibre-optic cable - A type of network cable that uses a central glass or plastic core surrounded by plastic coating. To transmit data it uses light impulses.
Gateway - A Gateway serves as a shared point of entry from a local-area network (LAN) into a larger information resource, such as the
Internet or a mainframe computer.
Hub - Just like the central part of a wheel from which the spokes radiate, in a computer network a hub is the physical layer device that serves as a central connection point for several network devices. It repeats the signal it receives on one
port to all other ports.
Internet - This is a global network made up of a large number of international networks.
IP (Internet Protocol) - IP is a standard that describes the software that keeps track of the
Internet address for different components in a network. It routes outgoing messages and recognises incoming messages.
ISDN - Same as a
modem but faster, the lines are digital and not analogue. The device used looks more like a network card than a
modem.
LAN (Local Area Network) - This type of network links computers within close proximity so that they are able to communicate with one another and share resources.
Modem - A modem is linked via the telephone system. The word "modem" is a combination of the words, modulator/demodulator. a modem therefore changes digital signals from a computer into analogue signals. these analogue signals can be transmitted over phone lines. On the receiving end, the modem changes the analogue signals back to digital signals.
NIC (Network Interface Card) - It is an adaptor or physical device that enables you to connect a computer or other network equipment, such a printer, to the communication channel.
NOS (Network Operative System) - This is the software that runs on a network server and offers file, print, application and other services to clients.
Packet - Information is sent over a network in packets. Hence, a packet describes the basic division of data sent over a network and is treated as a single unit as it is sent from device to device.
POP3 - Post Office Protocol version 3. It means that your service provider has a server that collects your e-mail on your behalf and stores it until you are ready to download it - almost like a Postal Office.
Port - Is an interface that controls the flow of data between the central processing unit (CPU) and external devices such as printers and monitors.
Portals - Web portals are sites that offer a range of different services, from search engines to e-mail, all in one location.
Router - A router determines the best path for data
packets from source to destination.
Server - Is any computer on a network that makes file, print or communications services available to other network computers.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) - This is a technology that enables private-network traffic to travel over the public
Internet.
WAN (Wide Area Network) - This network configuration directly connects computers over areas as potentially wide as the entire world.
