Nomadix AG-2000W User Manual page 242

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PPTP
(Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) Developed jointly by Microsoft Corporation, U.S. Robotics, and
several remote access vendor companies, known collectively as the PPTP Forum, PPTP is a new
technology used for creating Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Because the Internet is essentially an open
network, PPTP is used to ensure that messages transmitted from one VPN node to another are secure. PPTP
allows users to dial in to their corporate networks via the Internet. See also, Internet, Tunneling, and VPN.
Preamble
In wireless networks, part of the wireless signal that synchronizes network traffic.
Profile
An electronic file that defines how subscribers normally interact with the service provider's network.
Protocol
A standard process consisting of a set of rules and conditions that regulates data transmissions between
computing devices. Some examples of protocols include HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), FTP (File
Transfer Protocol), TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), and POP (Post Office
Protocol). All these protocols are responsible for regulating the transmission of their specific data file
types.
QoS
(Quality of Service) A collective measure of the level of service delivered to the customer. QoS can be
characterized by several basic performance criteria, including availability (low downtime), error
performance, response time and throughput, lost calls or transmissions due to network congestion,
connection set-up time, and the speed of fault detection and correction. Service providers may guarantee a
particular level of QoS (defined by a service level agreement) to their subscribers. QoS-enabled hardware
and software solutions sort and classify IP packet requests into different traffic classes and allocate the
proper resources to direct traffic based on various criteria, including application type, user or application
ID, source or destination IP address, time of day, and other user-specified variables. See also, CoS and ToS.
RADIUS
(Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) An authentication and accounting system used by many
Internet Service Providers (ISPs). When you dial in to the ISP you must enter your username and password.
This information is passed to a RADIUS server which checks that the information is correct and then
authorizes access to the ISP system.
RFC
(Request for Comments) A series of notes about the Internet, started in 1969 (when the Internet was the
ARPANET). An RFC note can be submitted by anyone. Each RFC is designated by an RFC number. Once
published, an RFC never changes. Any modifications to an original RFC are assigned a new RFC number.
Roaming
In wireless networking, roaming refers to the ability to move from one AP coverage area to another without
interruption in service or loss in connectivity.
Round Robin Queuing
An algorithm that services each queue in a predefined sequence. For example, it might empty 1,500 bytes
apiece from queue 1 (high priority), queue 2 (medium priority), and queue 3 (low priority), servicing each
in turn.
Router
A hardware device that connects two or more networks and routes the incoming data packets to the
appropriate network.
238 Glossary of Terms