Linksys EFG120 User Manual page 29

RJ-45 (Registered Jack-45) - A connector similar to a telephone connector that
holds up to eight wires, used for connecting Ethernet devices.
Router - Protocol-dependent device that connects subnetworks together.
Routers are useful in breaking down a very large network into smaller subnet-
works; they introduce longer delays and typically have much lower throughput
rates than bridges.
Server - Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to
files, printing, communications, and other services.
S.M.A.R.T. - (Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) Hard drive
technology that reports its own degradation, enabling the operating system to
warn the user of potential failure.
Software - Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs
a particular task is called a "program." The two major categories of software are
"system software" and "application software." System software is made up of
control programs such as the operating system and database management sys-
tem (DBMS). Application software is any program that processes data for the
user.
Static IP Address - A permanent IP address that is assigned to a node in an IP
or a TCP/IP network.
Storage - The semi-permanent or permanent holding place for digital data.
STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) Telephone wire that is wrapped in a metal sheath
to eliminate external interference.
Subnet Mask - The method used for splitting IP networks into a series of sub-
groups, or subnets. The mask is a binary pattern that is matched up with the IP
address to turn part of the host ID address field into a field for subnets.
Switch - 1. A data switch connects computing devices to host computers, allow-
ing a large number of devices to share a limited number of ports. 2. A device for
making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) - A method (protocol) used along with
the IP (Internet Protocol) to send data in the form of message units (datagram)
between network devices over a LAN or WAN. While IP takes care of handling
the actual delivery of the data (routing), TCP takes care of keeping track of the
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individual units of data (called packets) that a message is divided into for effi-
cient delivery over the network. TCP is known as a "connection oriented" pro-
tocol due to requiring the receiver of a packet to return an acknowledgment of
receipt to the sender of the packet resulting in transmission control.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - The basic com-
munication language or set of protocols for communications over a network
(developed specifically for the Internet). TCP/IP defines a suite or group of pro-
tocols and not only TCP and IP.
Throughput - The amount of data moved successfully from one place to anoth-
er in a given time period.
Upgrade - To replace existing software or firmware with a newer version.
Upload - To transmit a file over a network. In a communications session, upload
means transmit, download means receive.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - The address that defines the route to a file
on the Web or any other Internet facility. URLs are typed into the browser to
access Web pages, and URLs are embedded within the pages themselves to pro-
vide the hypertext links to other pages.
UTP - Unshielded twisted pair is the most common kind of copper telephone
wiring. Twisted pair is the ordinary copper wire that connects home and many
business computers to the telephone company. To reduce crosstalk or electro-
magnetic induction between pairs of wires, two insulated copper wires are twist-
ed around each other. Each signal on twisted pair requires both wires. Since
some telephone sets or desktop locations require multiple connections, twisted
pair is sometimes installed in two or more pairs, all within a single cable.
WAN (Wide Area Network)- A communications network that covers a relative-
ly large geographic area, consisting of two or more LANs. Broadband commu-
nication over the WAN is often through public networks such as the telephone
(DSL) or cable systems, or through leased lines or satellites. In its most basic
definition, the Internet could be considered a WAN.
Workgroup - Two or more individuals that
files and databases.
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