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Port
- A pathway into and out of the computer or a network device such as a switch or
router. For example, the serial and parallel ports on a personal computer are external
sockets for plugging in communications lines, modems, and printers.
Port Mirroring
- Port mirroring, also known as a roving analysis port, is a method of
monitoring network traffic that forwards a copy of each incoming and outgoing packet
from one port of a network switch to another port where the packet can be studied. A
network administrator uses port mirroring as a diagnostic tool or debugging feature,
especially when fending off an attack. It enables the administrator to keep close track of
switch performance and alter it if necessary. Port mirroring can be managed locally or
remotely.
PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet)
- A method used mostly by DSL
providers for connecting personal computers to a broadband modem for Internet access.
It is similar to how a dial-up connection works but at higher speeds and quicker access.
PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)
- A protocol (set of communication rules)
that allows corporations to extend their own corporate network through private “tunnels”
over the public Internet. Effectively, a corporation uses a wide area network as a single
large local area network. A company no longer needs to lease its own lines for wide-
area communication but can securely use the public networks. This kind of
interconnection is known as a virtual private network (VPN).
Preamble
- Part of the wireless signal that synchronizes network traffic.
Print Server
- A hardware device that enables a printer to be located anywhere in the
network.
RIP (Routing Information Protocol)
- A simple routing protocol that is part of the
TCP/IP protocol suite. It determines a route based on the smallest hop count between
source and destination. RIP is a distance vector protocol that routinely broadcasts
routing information to its neighboring routers and is known to waste bandwidth.
AppleTalk, DECnet, TCP/IP, NetWare, and VINES all use incompatible versions of RIP.
RJ-11 (Registered Jack-11) - A telephone connector that holds up to six wires. The RJ-
11 is the common connector used to plug a telephone into a wall.
RJ-45
(Registered Jack-45) - An Ethernet connector that holds up to eight wires.
Router
- A networking device that connects multiple networks together, such as a local
network and the Internet.
Roaming
- The ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to
another without losing the connection.
RTS
(Request To Send) - A packet sent when a computer has data to transmit. The
computer will wait for a CTS (Clear To Send) message before sending data.
Server
- Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files,
printing, communications, and other services.
SNMP
(Simple Network Management Protocol) - A widely used network monitoring and
control protocol.
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 system (DBMS). Application
software is any program that processes data for the user. A common misconception is
that software is data. It is not. Software tells the hardware how to process the data.
