Terms & Definitions - GE WattStation Installation And User Manual

Dedicated Cellular router – Utilizing cellular technology this option offers a dedicated
•
connection to the Internet. The router will be housed in the WattStation unit and is not
user serviceable. The router connects to an internally housed Ethernet switch.
Ethernet Port – This option allows for the use of an existing Internet connection. The LAN
•
interface on the WattStation supports speeds of 10/100 megabit capability.
WiFi – WiFi is also an option for connecting the WattStation to an existing wireless
•
environment. The WiFi interface is compatible with 802.11 b/g 2.4Ghz WiFi networks.
5.2 Terms & Definitions
It is important to understand terms used throughout this section.
LAN – Local Area Network – A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated
devices that share a common communications line or wireless link.
Ethernet – The most common LAN connectivity method. This is a physical wired technology that
consists of the use of twisted pair wiring.
WiFi or WLAN – This is a mechanism that allows an electronic device to exchange data wirelessly
over a computer network.
Cellular router – This is a device that uses wireless cell technology to connect to a network
instead of to the telephone system.
Firewall – A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions
based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access
while permitting legitimate communications to pass.
Proxy Server – In computer networks, a proxy server is a server (a computer system or an
application) that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other
servers.
LAN Switch – A network device that cross-connects clients, servers and network devices.
LAN Router – This is a network device that forwards packets from one network to another.
LAN Speeds – The most common Ethernet speeds are 100 megabit (Fast Ethernet) and 1000
megabit (Gigabit Ethernet). This is how fast information moves across a LAN.
LAN Port – This can be either a wall jack or a physical port on a LAN switch.
Cat5 – This is a twisted pair cable standard for carrying signals. This cabling is used for Ethernet
and other networks. Maximum Ethernet Cat5 cable distance is 100 meters or 328ft.
VLAN or Virtual LAN – This is a group of hosts with a common set of requirements that
communicate as if they were attached to the same broadcast domain, regardless of their physical
location. A VLAN has the same attributes as a physical local area network (LAN), but it allows for
end stations to be grouped together even if they are not located on the same network switch.
VLAN membership can be configured through software instead or by physically relocating devices
or connections.
© GE All Rights Reserved
32