Appendix C: Glossary - Linksys EG008W User Manual

Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch

Appendix C: Glossary

This glossary contains some basic networking terms you may come across when using this product. For more
advanced terms, see the complete Linksys glossary at http://www.linksys.com/glossary.
Bandwidth - The transmission capacity of a given device or network.
Bit - A binary digit.
Boot - To start a device and cause it to start executing instructions.
Broadband - An always-on, fast Internet connection.
Browser - An application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the
World Wide Web.
Byte - A unit of data that is usually eight bits long.
Cable Modem - A device that connects a computer to the cable television network, which in turn connects to the
Internet.
Daisy Chain - A method used to connect devices in a series, one after the other.
Default Gateway - A device that forwards Internet traffic from your local area network.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A networking protocol that allows administrators to assign
temporary IP addresses to network computers by "leasing" an IP address to a user for a limited amount of time,
instead of assigning permanent IP addresses.
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.
Dynamic IP Address - A temporary IP address assigned by a DHCP server.
Appendix C: Glossary 10