access point

1a

is any device that bridges the gap between a

wired and wireless network. The device is
typically connected to a router or modem, serving
data out to wireless devices. The most common
implementation of an access point are the small
wireless hubs and routers used in home
networks. Hot spots, like those found in airports
or cafes are also created with APs
1b

Acknowledgement (ack)

2a

is a simple message used in a wide variety

of networking protocols sent by the
receiver of a message or transmission back
to its sender. It is a way for network
protocols to ensure the reliability of a
message and are used heavily and most
notably by the TCP protocol
2b

Address Resolution Protocol

(ARP)

3a

is a protocol responsible for resolving

IP addresses to MAC addresses on a
local subnet. It is a TCP/IP protocol
to determine the hardware address of
a node on a local area network
connected to the Internet
3b

American Standard Code for

Information Interchange (ASCII)

4a

is used extensively in data

transmission. The ASCII character
set includes 128 upper and lower
case letters, numerals and special
purpose symbols, each encoded by
a unique 7-bit binary number
4b

Application Layer

5a

is the seventh layer of the OSI

model, responsible for attaching
an SMPT header to outgoing
information
5b

bandwidth

6a

is the measure of data throughput

over some transmission medium. We
use bandwidth to judge the quality of
service of any network, be it a wired
or wireless, an internal or external
network. Typically it is represented in
megabytes per second
6b

Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC)

7a

is a connector used to join segments

of coaxial cable, and it is often used
with closed-circuit television. Named
for Paul Neill and Carl Concelman,
who developed two types of coaxial
connectors. Also known as a British
Naval Connector
7b

bridges

8a

can refer to the connection

device between two local area
networks (LAN. Or on the same
LAN, it can refer two segments
using the same protocol, as in
Ethernet
8b

broadcast

9a

describes traffic that is sent to all

devices in a given LAN. IEEE
broadcast addresses always
begin with the hexadecimal
prefix FFFF:FFFF:FFFF
9b

broadcast domain

10a

is a group of network hosts that

will receive a network broadcast
packet
10b

Cat 6

11a

is a cable standard for Gigabit

Ethernet and other network
protocols that are backward
compatible with the Category
5/5e and Category 3 cable
standards
11b

Category (Cat) 5

12a

is a twisted pair, high signal

integrity cable type. Often
referred to as Cat5 or Cat-5
12b

Category 5 Enhanced (Cat 5e)

13a

uses unshielded twisted pairs

forming a cabling infrastructure with
performance capabilities up to 100
MHz within a range of 100 meters. It
is used for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet,
and Gigabit Ethernet networks
13b

coaxial cable

14a

is a wire type with a grounded shield

of braided wire that aids in
minimizing frequency interference.
This wiring is structured with a
center wire surrounded by insulation.
Primary usage is for computer
networks and cable television
14b

connectionless protocol

15a

is where a host will continue to

transmit a message, even if data
errors are received and without a
connection to the recipient; UDP
is an example of this type of
network protocol
15b

connectors

16a

are a type of software add-on

that allows different applications
or servers to communicate with
each other
16b

crossover cable

17a

is a TP cable in which one end is

wired using 568A and the other
using 568B, which allows the
user to directly connect two
computers
17b

Data Link Layer

18a

is the second layer of the OSI

model that houses Ethernet.
Additionally, this later is where
data packet encryption and
decryption occur
18b

device

19a

is a generic term used for

computer accessories such as
printers or disk drives. A device
often requires its own driver
19b

encapsulation

20a

is the process of taking

individual elements and joining
them together to create a new
object or entity that is more
complex
20b

encryption

21a

is the process of applying a specific

algorithm to data to change the
appearance of the data. This process
makes the data incomprehensible to
those who are not authorized to view
the information
21b

Ethernet

22a

is a common LAN architecture developed in 1976 by DIX.

The most common method of connection for LANs. It is a
system for connecting a number of computer systems to
form a local area network, with protocols to control the
passing of information and to avoid simultaneous
transmission by two or more systems. Typically, all stations
on the segment share the total bandwidth, which is 10 Mbps
for Ethernet, 100 Mbps for Fast Ethernet, or 1000 Mbps for
Gigabit Ethernet. Ethernet is the basis for the IEEE 802.3
standard
22b

fiber optics

23a

is the technology of transmitting data using

pulses of light rather than electrical current.
Fiber optics are of a higher bandwidth than
traditional copper line transmissions, capable of
transmitting more information in the same
amount of time. Additionally, owing to the
impedance effects of copper lines, fiber optics are
nominally faster
23b

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

24a

is an application-layer protocol, and part of the TCP/IP

protocol stack, used for transferring files between network
nodes. It is a standard network protocol used to copy a file
from one host to another over a TCP/IP network like the
Internet. It is used with user-based password authentication
or with anonymous user access. Its default port is 21. It is
based on a server to client architecture and mediates the
problem of differing system architectures by sending control
information (such as directory listings and traversal) and
data transmissions on two different ports
24b

host

25a

In network communications, it is a
computer or node connected to a network
with access to the Internet. In some cases,
a host can be a computer connected to any
type of network, but the connotation
usually revolves around Internet access
(viz. the Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol providing an IP address to a host)

25b

hubs

26a

are hardware devices that

provide a common connection to
all the devices on a network by
joining communication lines in a
central location
26b

Internet Protocol address (IP

address)

27a

is a numerical label that is

assigned to devices in a computer
network. It is used to route
messages on a TCP/IP network.
It provides computers or devices
with a unique identifier
27b

internetwork

28a

is a group of devices, such as a

printer, server, or a computer,
that are grouped together and
communicate with each other
across one single network or
many interconnected networks
28b

Joint Photographic Experts

Group (JPEG)

29a

is both a file extension for a compressed

image and the organization that was
originally responsible for its creation.
JPEG compression reduces the size of an
image at the cost of some detail, so it is
referred to as a "lossy" standard. Usually,
its extension is JPG
29b

Local Area Network (LAN)

30a

is a network of computers and devices that

are in a local area and are connected by a
communication link enabling them to
interact with the other devices on the
network. It is a data communication
network that serves users in a small
geographical area, usually within the same
building. See also WAN

30b

Media Access Control (MAC)

31a

is a sublayer of the Data Link Layer of the OSI

model that is responsible for physical addressing,
access control and collision avoidance
(CSMA/CD). Some of the more common
protocols located at the MAC sublayer include
IEEE 802.4 (token bus), IEEE 802.5 (token
ring) and the CSMA/CA mechanism used in
WiFi. Also Mandatory Access Control
31b

Media Access Control (MAC)

Addresses

32a

are physical identifiers attached to

different network adapters. These
identifiers are permanent, or "burned in,"
and are usually 48-bits in length, with the
first 3 bytes reserved for the manufacturer
of the card and the last 3 bytes reserved as
a unique address for that network
interface controller

32b

multicast

33a

describes traffic that is sent to a

group of devices at the same
time, usually by way of an
Ethernet LAN address. IEEE
multicast addresses always begin
with a 0100:5E prefix
33b

network

34a

is the joining of two or more

computers in order for them to
communicate or jointly access a
server. These computers are
connected via a physical link such as
Ethernet cables, phone lines, or
wireless connection
34b

Network Basic Input/Output

System (NetBIOS)

35a

is an API used on a LAN by

application programs and is
compatible with microcomputers
running MS-DOS
35b

Network Interface Card (NIC)

36a

is an adapter installed in a
computer that provides the
connection point to a network.
Also called a network adapter
36b

Open Systems Interconnection

Model (OSI model)

37a

is a network model that

represents a 7-layer data transfer
system
37b

payload

38a

is the cargo of data transmission.

In more specific cases, it refers to
the harmful activity generated by
an active virus
38b

Physical Layer

39a

is responsible for encoding the bitwise transmission of data over cable

medium, as well as the specifications
of the media itself. Protocols included
in this layer are the 802.11 standards,
Bluetooth, DSL and many others
39b

port

40a

is an interface on a computer in
which a user can connect a device

40b

Presentation Layer

41a

is the sixth layer of an OSI model

encodes outgoing information
using the MIME protocol
41b

protocol

42a

In general terms, it is a set of rules or

instructions. In computing, it might be a
communications protocol, which is a set of
instructions for transferring data; it might be a
cryptographic protocol, which is a set of rules for
how to encrypt or decrypt data; or, with regard to
object-oriented programming, it might be an
interface describing how unrelated objects
communicate with each other
42b

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

43a

is a session layer activity that is,

ultimately, what's behind any
client-to-server communication.
A call is put out by a client to a
server and then carried out
43b

routers

44a

is a device that allows a network user

to connect to other IP addresses
within the same network. Specifically,
it is a hardware device that acts as a
link between multiple networks
through the use of protocols
44b

Session Layer

45a

is the fifth layer of the OSI model

wraps the information in a
Winsock API message in
preparation for transfer
45b

switches

46a

are devices that filters and forwards

packets between network segments.
LANs that use switches to join
segments are called switched LANs
or, in the case of Ethernet networks,
switched Ethernet LANs
46b

SYN

47a

is a request to synchronize
sequence numbers. Sequence
numbers are used in TCP to
ensure data is rearranged in the
proper order
47b

SYN-ACK

48a

acknowledges the request and

responds that it is ready for data
transfer
48b

traffic

49a

refers to the volume of users

(load) on a system or
communications device
49b

Transmission Control Protocol

(TCP protocol)

50a

is a connectionless protocol that is mainly used in

TCP/IP networks. It allows for two hosts to
connect and perform a data exchange at the
information packet level. It is a core protocol that
manages a large fraction of the individual
conversations between Internet hosts and is
responsible for controlling the size and rate at
which messages are exchanged between the
server and the client
50b

Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP)
51a

is the primary language that

computers use to communicate
with one another over the
Internet
51b

Transport Layer

52a

is the fourth layer of the OSI

model, responsible for attaching
a TCP header containing port
destination information onto
outgoing information
52b

twisted pair cables

53a

are a type of LAN cable. They are

separate wires that are insulated
and twisted around each other,
which reduces electromagnetic
induction
53b

unicast traffic

54a

refers to traffic that is sent from

one host to another host and has
a "one-to-one" characteristic
54b

User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

55a

is used for communications using

broadcast or multicast IP datagrams in the
TCP/IP stack. Microsoft networking uses
UDP for logon, browsing and name
resolution. Connectionless and unreliable
communication protocol that does not
guarantee delivery or verify sequencing for
any datagram. Also see TCP protocol

55b

Voice over IP (VoIP)

56a

is a system that carries analog

voice data over IP packets. It is a
form of communication through
phone lines that use Internet
connections
56b

Wide Area Network (WAN)

57a

is a data communication network

that serves users across a broad
geographical area via T1, T3,
ATM, Frame Relay. See also LAN
57b

windowing

58a

is a TCP process that allows for

larger and larger chunks of
information to be passed along a
TCP connection as the
connection is considered more
and more secure
58b

wireless

59a

is a technology type that provides

networking without the use of
physical wires. It allows
connection through transmission
over radio frequencies
59b