vocab for net+ n09

A

Address. Refers to an identifier for a networked device, typically an IP address.

ACL

Access Control List. A set of rules used to control network traffic and restrict access to resources.

AH

Authentication Header. A component of IPSec that provides connectionless integrity and authentication.

AP

Access Point. A device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network.

API

Application Programming Interface. A set of routines and tools for building software applications.

APIPA

Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing. Assigns an IP address automatically when DHCP fails.

ARP

Address Resolution Protocol. Resolves IP addresses to MAC (hardware) addresses on a local network.

AUP

Acceptable Use Policy. A document outlining permitted uses of a network or system.

BGP

Border Gateway Protocol. A path vector routing protocol used between autonomous systems on the Internet.

BNC

Bayonet Neill–Concelman. A coaxial cable connector used in older network setups.

BSSID

Basic Service Set Identifier. The MAC address of a wireless access point in a Wi-Fi network.

BYOD

Bring Your Own Device. A policy allowing personal devices to be used for work purposes.

CAM

Content-addressable Memory. Memory in switches that maps MAC addresses to physical ports.

CDN

Content Delivery Network. A network of servers used to distribute web content closer to users.

CDP

Cisco Discovery Protocol. A proprietary protocol used by Cisco devices to share information with directly connected devices.

CIA

Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. A core concept in information security.

CIDR

Classless Inter-domain Routing. A method for allocating IP addresses and routing that allows for variable-length subnet masks.

CLI

Command-line Interface. A text-based interface used to operate software or devices.

CNAME

Canonical Name. A DNS record that maps one domain name to another.

CPU

Central Processing Unit. The primary component of a computer that processes instructions.

CRC

Cyclic Redundancy Check. A method of detecting errors in data transmission.

DAC

Direct Attach Copper. A type of cable used to connect network equipment directly using copper wiring.

DAS

Direct-attached Storage. Digital storage directly attached to a computer or server without a network.

DCI

Data Center Interconnect. Technology used to connect and transport data between data centers.

DDoS

Distributed Denial-of-service. An attack that overwhelms a system with traffic from multiple sources.

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A network service that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices.

DLP

Data Loss Prevention. A strategy to prevent sensitive data from being lost, misused, or accessed by unauthorized users.

DNS

Domain Name System. Translates domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses.

DNSSEC

Domain Name System Security Extensions. Adds security to DNS to protect against spoofing.

DoH

DNS over Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. Encrypts DNS queries using HTTPS.

DoS

Denial-of-service. An attack that disrupts service by overwhelming a system with requests.

DoT

DNS over Transport Layer Security. A security protocol that encrypts DNS traffic using TLS.

DR

Disaster Recovery. A plan and process for restoring systems after a disruptive event.

EAPoL

Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN. Used in network access control for authentication.

EIGRP

Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol. A Cisco-proprietary dynamic routing protocol.

EOL

End-of-life. A status indicating a product is no longer supported or manufactured.

EOS

End-of-support. A status indicating a product no longer receives updates or fixes.

ESP

Encapsulating Security Payload. An IPSec protocol that provides encryption, authentication, and integrity.

ESSID

Extended Service Set Identifier. The name of a Wi-Fi network, including multiple access points.

EULA

End User License Agreement. A legal contract between software provider and user.

FC

Fibre Channel. A high-speed network technology primarily used to connect data storage.

FHRP

First Hop Redundancy Protocol. Ensures network availability by providing backup routers.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. A protocol used to transfer files between a client and server over a network.

GDPR

General Data Protection Regulation. A European law regulating data protection and privacy.

GRE

Generic Routing Encapsulation. A tunneling protocol used to encapsulate a wide variety of network layer protocols.

GUI

Graphical User Interface. A user interface that includes graphical elements, such as windows and icons.

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The foundation of data communication for the web.

HTTPS

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. A secure version of HTTP that uses TLS/SSL encryption.

IaaS

Infrastructure as a Service. A cloud computing model that provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.

IaC

Infrastructure as Code. Managing infrastructure using machine-readable configuration files.

IAM

Identity and Access Management. A framework for managing digital identities and access rights.

ICMP

Internet Control Message Protocol. Used for sending error messages and operational information.

ICS

Industrial Control System. Systems used to control industrial processes like manufacturing.

IDF

Intermediate Distribution Frame. A cable rack that connects and manages telecommunications wiring.

IDS

Intrusion Detection System. A device or software that monitors network traffic for suspicious activity.

IoT

Internet of Things. A network of physical objects connected to the internet that collect and share data.

IIoT

Industrial Internet of Things. IoT technology used in industrial environments.

IKE

Internet Key Exchange. A protocol used to set up a security association in the IPSec protocol suite.

IP

Internet Protocol. The primary network layer protocol for delivering packets of data across networks.

IPAM

Internet Protocol Address Management. A method for planning and managing IP address space.

IPS

Intrusion Prevention System. Monitors network traffic and can take action to block threats.

IPSec

Internet Protocol Security. A suite of protocols for securing IP communications through encryption and authentication.

IS-IS

Intermediate System to Intermediate System. A link-state routing protocol used in large networks.

LACP

Link Aggregation Control Protocol. Combines multiple physical links into one logical link for increased bandwidth.

LAN

Local Area Network. A network that connects devices within a limited geographic area.

LC

Local Connector. A type of fiber-optic connector.

LDAP

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. A protocol used to access and manage directory services.

LDAPS

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol over SSL. A secure version of LDAP.

LLDP

Link Layer Discovery Protocol. A vendor-neutral protocol used by devices to advertise identity and capabilities.

MAC

Media Access Control. A unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communication on a network.

MDF

Main Distribution Frame. The central point of a network where external lines connect to internal equipment.

MDIX

Medium Dependent Interface Crossover. Automatically switches transmit and receive pins on Ethernet ports.

MFA

Multifactor Authentication. An authentication method requiring more than one form of verification.

MIB

Management Information Base. A database used for managing devices in a network using SNMP.

MPO

Multifiber Push On. A fiber-optic connector used for high-density connections.

MTBF

Mean Time Between Failure. The average time between failures of a system.

MTTR

Mean Time To Repair. The average time taken to repair a failed component or system.

MTU

Maximum Transmission Unit. The largest size of a packet that can be transmitted over a network medium.

MX

Mail Exchange. A DNS record that specifies a mail server responsible for receiving email.

NAC

Network Access Control. Enforces policies for network access and security.

NAS

Network-attached Storage. A dedicated file storage device connected to a network.

NAT

Network Address Translation. Modifies IP address information in packet headers while in transit.

NFV

Network Functions Virtualization. Uses virtualization to manage network functions via software.

NIC

Network Interface Card. A hardware component that connects a computer to a network.

NS

Name Server. A DNS server that responds to queries for domain names.

NTP

Network Time Protocol. Synchronizes clocks of networked computers.

NTS

Network Time Security. Provides cryptographic authentication for time synchronization protocols like NTP.

OS

Operating System. The software that manages hardware and software resources on a device.

OSPF

Open Shortest Path First. A link-state routing protocol used within large enterprise networks.

OSI

Open Systems Interconnection. A conceptual model that standardizes network communication in seven layers.

OT

Operational Technology. Hardware and software that monitors or controls industrial equipment.

PaaS

Platform as a Service. A cloud computing service that provides a platform for developing applications.

PAT

Port Address Translation. A type of NAT that maps multiple private IPs to a single public IP using ports.

PCI DSS

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. Security standards for organizations that handle cardholder data.

PDU

Power Distribution Unit. Distributes electric power to servers and networking equipment.

PKI

Public Key Infrastructure. A system for creating, managing, and revoking digital certificates.

PoE

Power over Ethernet. Delivers power and data over the same Ethernet cable.

PSK

Pre-shared Key. A shared password used to establish a secure network connection.

PTP

Precision Time Protocol. A protocol used to synchronize clocks throughout a computer network.

PTR

Pointer. A DNS record that maps an IP address to a domain name (reverse of an A record).