Section 7.1 Connectivity: the key to communication in the digital age

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.

metropolitan area network (MAN)

A large computer network usually spanning a city.

mobile

Means the technology can travel with the user; for instance, users can download software, email messages, and web pages onto a laptop or other mobile device for portable reading or reference.

mobile business (mbusiness, mcommerce)

The ability to purchase goods and services through a wireless Internet-enabled device.

wireless

Refers to any type of operation accomplished without the use of a hard-wired connection.

wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)

A means by which portable devices can connect wirelessly to a local area network, using access points that send and receive data via radio waves.

Wi-Fi infrastructure

Includes the inner workings of a Wi-Fi service or utility, including the signal transmitters, towers, or poles, along with additional equipment required to send a Wi-Fi signal.

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. It has a value of either 0 or 1.

bit rate (data rate)

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

personal area network (PAN)

Provides communication over a short distance that is intended for use with devices that are owned and operated by a single user.

Bluetooth

Wireless PAN technology that transmits signals over short distances between cell phones, computers, and other devices.

wireless LAN (WLAN)

A local area network that uses radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of a few hundred feet.

access point (AP)

The computer or network device that serves as an interface between devices and the network.

multiple-in/multiple-out (MIMO) technology

Multiple transmitters and receivers allow sending and receiving greater amounts of data than traditional networking devices.

wireless access point (WAP)

Enables devices to connect to a wireless network to communicate with each other.

hotspot

Designated location where Wi-Fi access points are publicly available.

wireless MAN (WMAN)

A metropolitan area network that uses radio signals to transmit and receive data.

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)

A communications technology aimed at providing high-speed wireless data over metropolitan area networks.

wireless WAN (WWAN)

A wide area network that uses radio signals to transmit and receive data.

radio access network (RAN)

A technology that connects individual devices to other parts of a network through radio connections.

smart phone

Offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a basic cell phone.

5G

The fifth-generation wireless broadband technology based on the 802.11ac standard engineered to greatly increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks.

streaming

A method of sending audio and video files over the Internet in such a way that the user can view the file while it is being transferred.

streaming data

Data that is generated continuously by thousands of data sources, which typically send in the data records simultaneously, and in small sizes (order of kilobytes).

Wi-Fi 6

The next generation of Wi-Fi; expected to operate at 9.6 Gbps.

satellite

A space station that orbits Earth receiving and transmitting signals from Earth-based stations over a wide area.

secure sockets layer (SSL)

A standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser, ensuring that all data passed between them remains private.

SSL certificate

An electronic document that confirms the identity of a website or server and verifies that a public key belongs to a trustworthy individual or company.

secure hypertext transfer protocol (SHTTP or HTTPS)

A combination of HTTP and SSL to provide encryption and secure identification of an Internet server.

war driving

Deliberately searching for Wi-Fi signals from a vehicle.

war chalking

The practice of tagging pavement with codes displaying where Wi-Fi access is available.

actor

An entity that is capable of participating in an action or a network.

bad actor

An entity that is participating with ill intentions.

wired equivalent privacy (WEP)

An encryption algorithm designed to protect wireless transmission data.

Wi-Fi protected access (WPA)

A wireless security protocol to protect Wi-Fi networks.