Hardware Specification
169
Glossary
The following glossary of networking terms is provided for your convenience.
Term
Definition
Access Point
Access points are way stations in a wireless LAN that are connected to an
Ethernet hub or server. Users can roam within the range of access points
and their wireless device connections are passed from one access point to
the next.
Authentication
Authentication refers to the verification of a transmitted message's integ-
rity.
DMZ
DMZ (DeMilitarized Zone) A part of the network that is neither part of the
internal network nor directly part of the Internet. Basically, a perimeter net-
work established to house public services.
Beacon
Interval
Refers to the interval between packets sent by access points for the pur-
poses of synchronizing wireless LANs.
DHCP
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) software automatically
assigns IP addresses to client stations logging onto a TCP/IP network,
which eliminates the need to manually assign permanent IP addresses.
DNS
DNS stands for Domain Name System. DNS converts machine names to
the IP addresses that all machines on the net have. It translates from
name to address and from address to name.
Domain Name
The domain name typically refers to an Internet site address.
DTIM
DTIM (Delivery Traffic Indication Message) provides client stations with
information on the next opportunity to monitor for broadcast or multicast
messages.
Filter
Filters are schemes which only allow specified data to be transmitted. For
example, the router can filter specific IP addresses so that users cannot
connect to those addresses.
Firewall
Firewalls are methods used to keep networks secure from malicious
intruders and unauthorized access. Firewalls use filters to prevent
unwanted packets from being transmitted. Firewalls are typically used to
provide secure access to the Internet while keeping an organization’s pub-
lic Web server separate from the internal LAN.
Firmware
Firmware refers to memory chips that retain their content without electrical
power (for example, BIOS ROM). The router firmware stores settings
made in the interface.
Fragmentation
Refers to the breaking up of data packets during transmission.
FTP
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used to transfer files over a TCP/IP net-
work, and is typically used for transferring large files or uploading the
HTML pages for a Web site to the Web server.
Gateway
Gateways are computers that convert protocols enabling different net-
works, applications, and operating systems to exchange information.
Host Name
The name given to a computer or client station that acts as a source for
information on the network.