Chapter 6

IEEE 802.11

family of wireless protocols

peer to peer LAN

network where no one central device controls communications

static IP address

permanent IP address

fiber optic technology

uses light instead of electricity to represent bits.

intranet

uses web technologies to serve organization's employees located in several sights

virtual private network

"tunnel" through internet or other public network that allows only authorized uses to access company resources.

peer to peer file sharing

applications that help locate and download files from any online computer.

Improvements to businesses by telecommunications

better business communication greater efficiency better distribution of data instant transactions flexible and mobile workforce alternative channels

Greek word "tele"

distance

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)

increases rename and speed of wireless communications

protocol

set of rules that govern communication between computers and other devices that exchange data

bandwidth

speed at which data is communicated

dynamic IP address

temporary IP address assigned for the duration of connection only

metropolitan area network (MAN)

usually links multiple LANs within a large city or metropolitan region and typically spans a distance of up to 50 kilometers.

optical carrier

very high connection speeds with high prices carried though fiber lines

Wi-FI

wireless fidelity; collective term for family of wireless protocols

radio frequency identification (RFID)

Used to ID people or things using radio waves

encryption

ability to scramble and code messages through keys that are shared only between the sender and receiver

access point (AP)

allows x number of wireless devices to share an internet link by being connected to a wired network and then to the Internet

coaxial cable

also called TV cable; used for cable TV transmission and links to the internet

transmission rate

also called bandwidth or bit rate; speed at which data is communicated

repeater

amplifies or regenerates signals so that they don't become weak or distorted

broadband over power lines

broadband service offered through powerlines

network

combo of devices connected to each other through one communication media

switch

common device often used as central location to connect computers or devices to local network

host

computer connected directly to internet; also called server

local area network (LAN)

computer network within building or campus of adjacent buildings; usually set up by orgs to enhance communications and to share IT resources

node

computer or communication device

internet service providers (ISP)

cost much less than VANs

digital subscriber line (DSL)

data remains digital throughout the entire transmission, never transformed into analog

bridge

device that connects two networks, such as LAN to internet

Bluetooth

devices that communicate with each other within a short range. Transmits voice and dara

hotspot

direct link to wireless router or access point; allows internet access or anyone within range who uses a wireless device

scalability

ease of expanding a system

wide area network (WAN)

far-reaching system of networks made of multiple LANs for MANs. Most well known example is the internet

modem

from modulator demodulator. device whose purpose is to translate communication signals from analog to digital and vice versa

microwaves

high frequency radio waves that can carry signals over long distances with high accuracy; only effective if line between transmitter and receiver is unobstructed

backbone

highest speed communication channels

electromagnetic interference radio frequency interference

light not susceptible to this; fiber optic communication much less prone to error than twisted pair and radio transmission

narrowband

lower speeds such as dial-up connections

bits per second (bps)

measurement unit of bandwidth

wireless LANs

offer significant benefits such as easy installation, moveable equipment, less costly to maintain, and more scalability

server

one computer used as a central repository of programs and files that all connected computers can use

Ethernet

only LAN protocol of significance using coaxial cable

communications medium

physical means that transports the signal such as copper wire or radio waves

t1 and t3 line

point to point dedicated digital circuits provided by telephone companies; expensive

fixed wireless

point to point transmission between two stationary devices as opposed to mobile wireless

twisted pair cable

popular medium for connecting computers and networking devices because it is relatively flexible, reliable and low cost.

network interface card

proper network circuitry which connects through cable or wireless antenna to a switch, bridge or router, which in turn connects to LAN or WAN

value added networks (VAN)

provide enhanced network services. provides reliable data communications while relieving burden of providing own network maintenance and management

router

routes dara packets to the next node on their way to final destination

network protocol

rules that govern communications between network of devices.

geostationary and low earth orbit

serve as radio relay stations in orbit above earth that receive, amplify and redirect signals

extranet

serves both employees and other enterprises that do business with an organization

DNS (domain name system)

service that supports the process of associating character based names with an IP address

TCP/IP transmission control protocol/internet protocol

set of related protocols. TCP ensures that packets arrive accurately and in proper order. IP ensure delivery of packets from node to node in the most efficient manner

downstream

speed of receiving from the network

upstream

speeds of transmitting into the network

near-field communication (NFC)

standard communication protocol to create radio connection between 2 devices

VoIP (Voice over internet protocol)

standard for software that digitizes and comprises voice signals and transmits the bits over internet link

Long Term Evolution (LTE)

standard method of wireless communications, specifically for high speed data transmission for mobile phones

EPC (electronic product code)

tag used to identify a product equipped with digital memory and a unique code

telecommunications

transmittal of data and info form one point to another. communication over a distance

videoconferencing

transmitted images and speech

IP address

uniquely identifiable numerical label for every device on the internet

broadband

when a line is capable of carrying multiple transmissions simultaneously; associated with high speed network connection

fiber to home (FTTH)

when optical fiber reaches the subscriber's living or work space

personal area network

wireless network designed for handheld and portable devices and is intended for use by only one or two people.