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Appendix G: Glossary
Broadband Router
Network
- A series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or
transmission between users.
Node
- A network junction or connection point, typically a computer or work station.
Packet
- A unit of data sent over a network.
Ping
(
P
acket
IN
ternet
G
roper) - An Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP address is online.
POP3
(
P
ost
O
ffice
P
rotocol
3
) - A standard mail server commonly used on the Internet.
Port
- The connection point on a computer or networking device used for plugging in cables or adapters.
PPPoE
(
P
oint to
P
oint
P
rotocol
o
ver
E
thernet) - A type of broadband connection that provides authentication
(username and password) in addition to data transport.
PPTP
(
P
oint-to-
P
oint
T
unneling
P
rotocol) - A VPN protocol that allows the Point to Point Protocol (PPP) to be
tunneled through an IP network. This protocol is also used as a type of broadband connection in Europe.
Router
- A networking device that connects multiple networks together.
Server
- Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications,
and other services.
SMTP
(
S
imple
M
ail
T
ransfer
P
rotocol) - The standard e-mail protocol on the Internet.
SPI
(
S
tateful
P
acket
I
nspection)
Firewall
- A technology that inspects incoming packets of information before
allowing them to enter the network.
Static IP Address
- A fixed address assigned to a computer or device that is connected to a network.
Static Routing
- Forwarding data in a network via a fixed path.
Subnet Mask
- An address code that determines the size of the network.
Switch
- 1. A data switch that connects computing devices to host computers, allowing 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
(
T
ransmission
C
ontrol
P
rotocol) - A network protocol for transmitting data that requires acknowledgement
from the recipient of data sent.