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Subnet mask
A number that, in conjunction with an IP address, defines the set of
IP addresses that are considered "local." For example, if your IP address
is 192.168.25.77 and your subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, then addresses
between 192.168.25.1 and 192.168.25.255 are considered local. Also
known as netmask.
Swap file
A space on a hard disk used as the virtual memory extension of a
computer's random access memory (RAM). Having a swap file allows
the computer's operating system to pretend that it has more RAM than it
actually does. The least-recently-used files in RAM are "swapped out"
to your hard disk until they are needed later; in their place, new program
segments or data can be "swapped in" to RAM.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
A connection-oriented transport-layer protocol that provides reliable
full-duplex data transmission. TCP is part of the TCP/IP protocol stack.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
A common name for the suite of protocols developed in the 1970s to
support the construction of worldwide internetworks. TCP and IP are
the two best-known protocols in the suite. The TCP/IP protocols enable
computers and networks to connect to an intranet or Internet.
Virtual memory
A concept that, when implemented by a computer and its operating
system, allows programmers to use a very large range of memory or
storage addresses for stored data.
Wide area network (WAN)
A data communications network that serves users across a broad
geographic area and often uses transmission devices provided by
common carriers. Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay,
Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS) and X.25 are examples of
WANs.
See also local area network (LAN).
Glossary
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