EG102 User’s Guide
76
types of data. See routing.
Broadband
A telecommunications technology that can send
different types of data over the same medium. DSL is a
broadband technology.
Broadcast
To send data to all computers on a network.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DHCP automates address assignment and
management. When a computer connects to the LAN,
DHCP assigns it an IP address from a shared pool of IP
addresses; after a specified time limit, DHCP returns the
address to the pool.
DHCP relay
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol relay
A DHCP relay is a computer that forwards DHCP data
between computers that request IP addresses and the
DHCP server that assigns the addresses. Each of the
device’s interfaces can be configured as a DHCP relay.
See DHCP.
DHCP server
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server
A DHCP server is a computer that is responsible for
assigning IP addresses to the computers on a LAN. See
DHCP.
Digital
Of data, having a form based on discrete values
expressed as binary numbers (0’s and 1’s). The data
component in DSL is a digital signal. See analog.
DNS
Domain Name System
The DNS maps domain names into IP addresses. DNS
information is distributed hierarchically throughout the
Internet among computers called DNS servers. For
example, www.yahoo.com is the domain name
associated with IP address 216.115.108.243. When you
start to access a web site, a DNS server looks up the
requested domain name to find its corresponding IP
address. If the DNS server cannot find the IP address, it
communicates with higher-level DNS servers to
determine the IP address. See domain name.
Domain name
A domain name is a user-friendly name used in place of
its associated IP address. Domain names must be
unique; their assignment is controlled by the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(ICANN). Domain names are a key element of URLs,
which identify a specific file at a web site. See DNS.
Download
To transfer data in the downstream direction, i.e., from
the Internet to the user.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line
A technology that allows both digital data and analog
voice signals to travel over existing copper telephone
lines.
Encryption keys
See network keys
Ethernet
The most commonly installed computer network
technology, usually using twisted pair wiring. Ethernet
data rates are 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps. See also
10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, twisted pair.