317
E
Ethernet
: A local area network (LAN) standard for hardware, communications, and
cabling. It links network nodes in a bus topology using coaxial cable, or in a
star topology using fiber-optic cable or twisted-pair cable. Normally, all nodes
share the total bandwidth, which is 10 Mbps (Ethernet), 100 Mbps (Fast
Ethernet), or 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet). With switched Ethernet, each
sender and receiver pair have the full bandwidth.
F
file:
A collection of related information (such as the information required for a program or
document) saved on disk with a unique name. See also
document
.
firewall: A security system that prevents computers in an organization’s network from
communicating directly with computers outside the network. It consists of a
computer system which controls access to the organization’s network and
routes incoming and outgoing messages. See also proxy server.
G
gateway
: a computer through which other computers can access the Internet.
gateway address
: The default address of a network or Web site that provides a single
domain name and point of entry to the site.
H
hardware:
The physical, electronic, and mechanical components of a computer system,
including devices such as a screen, disk drive, printer, mouse, and processor.
hub:
A central connecting device in a network that joins communications lines together in
a star configuration. A switching hub also routes messages and packets
among the computers connected to the network.
HyperText Markup Language (HTML):
A special coding scheme used to prepare text and
graphics for access over the World Wide Web.