82 Glossary
Glossary
TCP/IP
The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is a set of protocols that provides rules for
communication between networks. It is the worldwide internetworking standard and the basic
communications protocol of the Internet.
TFTP
Trivial File Transfer Protocol is a very simple protocol used to transfer files.
UPnP
Universal Plug and Play protocol.
UPS
A uninterruptible power supply provides battery back-up for a specified time during
a power outage.
upstream
In a cable data or DSL network, the direction of data sent from your computer to the Internet.
USB
Universal Serial Bus
wireless access
point (WAP)
A device that provides network connectivity to one or more client computers using radio signals
over a wireless connection. One example you could use with your residential gateway is the
Motorola Wireless Access Point WA840G.
VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol is a method to exchange voice, fax, and other information over the
Internet. Voice and fax have traditionally been carried over telephone lines using a dedicated circuit
for each line. VoIP enables calls to travel as discrete data on shared lines.
VoIP provider
The company from which you purchase VoIP telephone service.
VPN
A virtual private network is a private network that uses “virtual” connections (tunnels) routed over
a public network (usually the Internet) to provide a secure and fast connection, usually to users
working remotely at home or in small branch offices. A VPN connection provides security and
performance similar to a dedicated link (for example, a leased line),
but at much lower cost.
WAN
A wide-area network provides a connection over a large geographic area, such as a country or the
whole world. The bandwidth depends on need and cost, but is usually much lower than for a LAN.
For the residential gateway, “WAN” refers to the VoIP and broadband provider networks.
World Wide
Web
An interface to the Internet that you use to navigate and hyperlink to information.
