Linksys EFG120 User Manual page 28

can also be initiated from within a Web browser by entering the URL preceded
with ftp://.
Unlike e-mail programs in which graphics and program files have to be
"attached," FTP is designed to handle binary files directly and does not add the
overhead of encoding and decoding the data.
Gateway - A device that interconnects networks with different, incompatible
communications protocols.
Hardware - Hardware is the physical aspect of computers, telecommunications,
and other information technology devices. The term arose as a way to distin-
guish the "box" and the electronic circuitry and components of a computer from
the program you put in it to make it do things. The program came to be known
as the software.
HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol) - The communications protocol used to
connect to servers on the World Wide Web. Its primary function is to establish a
connection with a Web server and transmit HTML pages to the client browser.
Hub - The device that serves as the central location for attaching wires from
workstations. Can be passive, where there is no amplification of the signals; or
active, where the hubs are used like repeaters to provide an extension of the
cable that connects to a workstation.
IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) - The IEEE
describes itself as "the world's largest technical professional society, promoting
the development and application of electrotechnology and allied sciences for the
benefit of humanity, the advancement of the profession, and the well-being of
our members."
The IEEE fosters the development of standards that often become national and
international standards. The organization publishes a number of journals, has
many local chapters, and several large societies in special areas, such as the
IEEE Computer Society.
IP (Internet Protocol) - The method or protocol by which data is sent from one
computer to another on the Internet. It is a standard set of rules, procedures, or
conventions relating to the format and timing of data transmission between two
computers that they must accept and use to be able to understand each other.
48
IP Address - In the most widely installed level of the Internet Protocol (IP)
today, an IP address is a 32-binary digit number that identifies each sender or
receiver of information that is sent in packet across the Internet. When you
request an HTML page or send e-mail, the Internet Protocol part of TCP/IP
includes your IP address in the message (actually, in each of the packets if more
than one is required) and sends it to the IP address that is obtained by looking
up the domain name in the Uniform Resource Locator you requested or in the
e-mail address you're sending a note to. At the other end, the recipient can see
the IP address of the Web page requestor or the e-mail sender and can respond
by sending another message using the IP address it received.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides individuals and com-
panies access to the Internet and other related services such as Web site build-
ing and virtual hosting.
LAN (Local Area Network) - A group of computers and associated devices that
share a common communications line and typically share the resources of a sin-
gle processor or server within a small geographic area (for example, within an
office building).
Mbps (Megabits per second) - One million bits per second; unit of measure-
ment for data transmission.
Network - A system that transmits any combination of voice, video and/or data
between users.
Network Mask - Also known as the "Subnet Mask".
NIC (Network Interface Card) - A board installed in a computer system, usual-
ly a PC, to provide network communication capabilities to and from that com-
puter system. Also called an adapter.
Packet - A unit of data routed between an origin and a destination in a network.
Plug-and-Play - The ability of a computer system to configure expansion
boards and other devices automatically without requiring the user to turn off the
system during installation.
PrintServer - A hardware device that enables a printer to be located anywhere
in the network.
49