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GLOSSARY 107
MAC Media Access Control. A protocol specified by the IEEE for determining
which devices have access to a network at any one time.
MAC Address Media Access Control Address. Also called the hardware or physical
address. A layer 2 address associated with a particular network device.
Most devices that connect to a LAN have a MAC address assigned to
them as they are used to identify other devices in a network. MAC
addresses are 6 bytes long.
NAT Network Address Translation. NAT enables all the computers on your
network to share one IP address. The NAT capability of the Gateway
allows you to access the Internet from any computer on your home
network without having to purchase more IP addresses from your ISP.
Network A Network is a collection of computers and other computer equipment
that are connected for the purpose of exchanging information or sharing
resources. Networks vary in size, some are within a single room, others
span continents.
Network Interface
Card (NIC)
A circuit board installed into a piece of computing equipment, for
example, a computer, that enables you to connect it to the network. A
NIC is also known as an adapter or adapter card.
Protocol A set of rules for communication between devices on a network. The
rules dictate format, timing, sequencing and error control.
PPPoE Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet. Point-to-Point Protocol is a method
of data transmission originally created for dial-up connections; PPPoE is
for Ethernet connections.
PPTP Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol is a method of secure data transmission
between two remote sites over the internet.
RJ-45 A standard connector used to connect Ethernet networks. The "RJ"
stands for "registered jack".
Server A computer in a network that is shared by multiple end stations. Servers
provide end stations with access to shared network services such as
computer files and printer queues.