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Packet Switching Network
Refers to protocols in which messages are divided into packets before they are sent. Each packet is then transmitted
individually and can even follow different routes to its destination. Once all the packets forming a message arrive at its
destination, they are recompiled into the original message. Most modern Wide Area Network (WAN) protocols,
including TCP/IP, X.25, and Frame Relay, are based on packet-switching technologies. By contrast, normal telephone
services use a circuit-switching technology in which a dedicated line is allocated for transmission between two parties.
Circuit-switching is ideal for fast data transmissions where the data must arrive in the same order in which it is sent.
This is the case with most real-time data, such as live audio and video. Packet switching is more efficient and robust
for data that can withstand some delays in transmission, such as e-mail messages and Web pages. See also,
Forwarding
Rate, Packet, pps, and Throughput.
PDF
(Portable Document Format) A type of file format developed by Adobe Systems© that displays documents identically
on any computer system. PDF files retain their original formatted design, unlike
HTML
documents which adjust the
format depending on the users viewing medium (for example, monitor size).
Ping
(Packet INternet Groper) A program that transmits a signal to a host and expects a response within a predetermined
time. This is useful when troubleshooting network transmission problems. See also, ICMP.
Portal
A portal is a Web site. The portal consists of a collection of links to the most popular Web services on the Internet.
Generally speaking, a portal is a door to the Internet. See also, Internet.
PPP
(Point-to-Point Protocol) PPP has superseded SLIP as the standard protocol for serial data communications over the
Internet. See also, SLIP.
pps
(packets per second) The rate at which packets are delivered to their destination. See also,
Forwarding
Rate, Packet,
Packet Switching
Network.
and
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.
Print Billing Command
Authentication, Authorization and Accounting configuration that allows the NSE to support Driverless Print servers
that can bill subscribers' rooms for printing their documents without them having to install printers.
Profile
An electronic file that defines how subscribers normally interact with the service provider's network.
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