Appendix E connectivity: the business value of a networked world

local area network (LAN)

Connects a group of computers in proximity, such as in an office building, school, or home.

wide area network (WAN)

Spans a large geographic area such as a state, province, or country.

attenuation

Represents the loss of a network signal strength measured in decibels (dBs) due to distance or obstructions.

repeater

Receives and repeats a signal to reduce its attenuation and extend its range.

metropolitan area network (MAN)

A large computer network usually spanning a city.

national service providers (NSPs)

Private companies that own and maintain the worldwide backbone that supports the Internet.

regional service providers (RSPs)

Offer Internet service by connecting to NSPs and can connect directly to each other.

bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can pass from one point to another in a unit of time.

bit

The smallest element of data with a value of either 0 or 1.

bit rate (or data rate)

The number of bits transferred or received per unit of time.

modem

A device that enables a computer to transmit and receive data.

broadband

A high-speed Internet connection that is always connected.

digital subscriber line (DSL)

High-speed digital data transmission over standard telephone lines.

high-speed Internet cable connection

Provides Internet access using a cable television company’s infrastructure.

cable modem (or broadband modem)

A type of digital modem used with high-speed cable Internet service.

telecommuting (virtual workforce)

Allows users to work from remote locations using high-speed Internet.

broadband over power line (BPL)

Technology that provides high-speed Internet access over electrical lines.

packet

A single unit of binary data routed through a network.

standard packet format

Includes a packet header, body, and footer.

packet header

Lists the destination and length of the message data.

packet footer

Represents the end of the packet or transmission end.

traceroute

A utility application that monitors the network path of packet data.

proxy

Software that prevents direct communication between computers for security.

protocol

A standard specifying the format of data and transmission rules.

file transfer protocol (FTP)

A simple network protocol for transferring files between computers.

transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP)

Provides the technical foundation for the public Internet.

IP address

A unique number identifying where computers are located on the network.

dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)

Allows dynamic IP address allocation for network users.

domain name system (DNS)

Converts IP addresses into recognizable domain names.

network convergence

The coexistence of telephone, video, and data communication within a single network.

unified communications (UC)

The integration of communication channels into a single service.

Voice over IP (VoIP)

Uses IP technology to transmit telephone calls.

peer-to-peer (P2P) network

Relies on participants' computing power and bandwidth rather than a centralized server.

Internet Protocol TV (IPTV)

Distributes digital video content using IP technology.

extranet

An extended intranet available to authorized outsiders like customers and partners.

virtual private network (VPN)

Creates secure, private network links or access over the Internet.