802.11a - an ieee wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54mbps and an operating frequency of 5ghz.

    802.11b - an ieee wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4ghz.

    802.11g - an ieee wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4ghz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

    access point - device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network. also used to expand the range of a wireless network.

    adapter - this is a device that adds network functionality to your pc.

    ad-hoc - a group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access point.

    aes (advanced encryption standard) - a method that uses up to 256-bit key encryption to secure data.

    backbone - the part of a network that connects most of the systems and networks together, and handles the most data.

    bandwidth - the transmission capacity of a given device or network.

    beacon interval - the frequency interval of the beacon, which is a packet broadcast by a router to synchronize a wireless network.

    bit - a binary digit.

    boot - to start a device and cause it to start executing instructions.

    bridge - a device that connects two different kinds of local networks, such as a wireless network to a wired ethernet network.

    broadband - an always-on, fast internet connection.

    browser - a browser is an application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the world wide web.

    buffer - a block of memory that temporarily holds data to be worked on later when a device is currently too busy to accept the data.

    cable modem - a device that connects a computer to the cable television network, which in turn connects to the internet.

    csma/ca (carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance) - a method of data transfer that is used to prevent data loss in a network.

    cts (clear to send) - a signal sent by a device to indicate that it is ready to receive data.

    daisy chain - a method used to connect devices in a series, one after the other.

    database - a collection of data that is organized so that its contents can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.

    ddns (dynamic domain name system) - the capability of having a website, ftp, or e-mail server-with a dynamic ip address-use a fixed domain name.

    default gateway - a device that forwards internet traffic from your local area network.

    dhcp (dynamic host configuration protocol) - a protocol that lets one device on a local network, known as a dhcp server, assign temporary ip addresses to the other network devices, typically computers.

    dmz (demilitarized zone) - removes the router's firewall protection from one pc, allowing it to be “seen” from the internet.

    dns (domain name server) - the ip address of your isp's server, which translates the names of websites into ip addresses.

    domain - a specific name for a network of computers.

    download - to receive a file transmitted over a network.

    dsl (digital subscriber line) - an always-on broadband connection over traditional phone lines.

    dsss (direct-sequence spread-spectrum) - a type of radio transmission technology that includes a redundant bit pattern to lessen the probability of data lost during transmission. used in 802.11b networking.

    dtim (delivery traffic indication message) - a message included in data packets that can increase wireless efficiency.

    dynamic ip address - a temporary ip address assigned by a dhcp server.

    eap (extensible authentication protocol) - a general authentication protocol used to control network access.

    many specific authentication methods work within this framework.

    eap-peap (extensible authentication protocol-protected extensible authentication protocol) - a mutual authentication method that uses a combination of digital certificates and another system, such as passwords. eap-tls (extensible authentication protocol-transport layer security) - a mutual authentication method that uses digital certificates.

    encryption - encoding data to prevent it from being read by unauthorized people.

    ethernet - an ieee standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common transmission medium.

    finger - a program that tells you the name associated with an e-mail address.

    firewall - security measures that protect the resources of a local network from intruders.

    firmware - 1. in network devices, the programming that runs the device. 2. programming loaded into read-only memory (rom) or programmable read-only memory (prom) that cannot be altered by end-users.

    fragmentation - breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet.

    ftp (file transfer protocol) - a standard protocol for sending files between computers over a tcp/ip network and the internet.

    full duplex - the ability of a networking device to receive and transmit data simultaneously.

    gateway - a system that interconnects networks.

    half duplex - data transmission that can occur in two directions over a single line, but only one direction at a time.

    hardware - the physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other information technology devices.

    http (hypertext transport protocol) - the communications protocol used to connect to servers on the world wide web.

    ieee (the institute of electrical and electronics engineers) - an independent institute that develops networking standards.

    infrastructure - currently installed computing and networking equipment.

    infrastructure mode - configuration in which a wireless network is bridged to a wired network via an access point.

    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.

    ism band - radio band used in wireless networking transmissions.

    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.

    leap (lightweight extensible authentication protocol) - a mutual authentication method that uses a username and password system.

    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.

    multicasting - sending data to a group of destinations at once.

    nat (network address translation) - nat technology translates ip addresses of a local area network to a different ip address for the internet.

    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.

    node - a network junction or connection point, typically a computer or work station.

    ofdm (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) - a type of modulation technology that separates the data stream into a number of lower-speed data streams, which are then transmitted in parallel. used in 802.11a, 802.11g, and powerline networking.

    packet - a unit of data sent over a network.

    passphrase - used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the wep encryption process by automatically generating the wep encryption keys for linksys products.

    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.

    power over ethernet (poe) - a technology enabling an ethernet network cable to deliver both data and power.

    pppoe (point to point protocol over ethernet) - a type of broadband connection that provides authentication (username and password) in addition to data transport.

    pptp (point-to-point tunneling protocol) - a vpn protocol that allows the point to point protocol (ppp) to be tunneled through an ip network. this protocol is also used as a type of broadband connection in europe.

    preamble - part of the wireless signal that synchronizes network traffic.

    radius (remote authentication dial-in user service) - a protocol that uses an authentication server to control network access.

    rj-45 (registered jack-45) - an ethernet connector that holds up to eight wires.

    roaming - the ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection.

    router - a networking device that connects multiple networks together, such as a local network and the internet.

    rts (request to send) - a packet sent when a computer has data to transmit. the computer will wait for a cts (clear to send) message before sending data.

    server - any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications, and other services.

    smtp (simple mail transfer protocol) - the standard e-mail protocol on the internet.

    snmp (simple network management protocol) - a widely used network monitoring and control protocol.

    software - instructions for the computer. a series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a “program”.

    spread spectrum - wideband radio frequency technique used for more reliable and secure data transmission.

    ssid (service set identifier) - your wireless network's name.

    spi (stateful packet inspection) firewall - a technology that inspects every incoming packet of information before allowing it to enter the network.

    static ip address - a fixed address assigned to a computer or device that is connected to a network.

    static routing - forwarding data in a network via a fixed path.

    subnet mask - an address code that determines the size of the network.

    switch - 1. device that is the central point of connection for computers and other devices in a network, so data can be shared at full transmission speeds. 2. a device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit.

    tcp/ip (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) - a network protocol for transmitting data that requires acknowledgement from the recipient of data sent.

    telnet - a user command and tcp/ip protocol used for accessing remote pcs.

    tftp (trivial file transfer protocol) - a version of the tcp/ip ftp protocol that uses udp and has no directory or password capability.

    throughput - the amount of data moved successfully from one node to another in a given time period.

    topology - the physical layout of a network.

    tx rate - transmission rate.

    udp (user datagram protocol) - a network protocol for transmitting data that does not require acknowledgement from the recipient of the data that is sent.

    upgrade - to replace existing software or firmware with a newer version.

    upload - to transmit a file over a network.

    url (uniform resource locator) - the address of a file located on the internet.

    vpn (virtual private network) - a security measure to protect data as it leaves one network and goes to another over the internet.

    wan (wide area network) - the internet.

    wep (wired equivalent privacy) - a method of encrypting data transmitted on a wireless network for greater security.

    winipcfg - a windows 98 and millennium utility that displays the ip address for a particular networking device.

    wlan (wireless local area network) - a group of computers and associated devices that communicate with each other wirelessly.