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Appendix C: Glossary
10/100/1000 Gigabit Network Adapter
Infrastructure - Currently installed computing and networking equipment.
IP (Internet Protocol) - A protocol used to send data over a network.
IP Address - The address used to identify a computer or device on a network.
IPCONFIG - A Windows 2000 and XP utility that displays the IP address for a particular networking device.
IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) - A VPN protocol used to implement secure exchange of packets at the IP layer.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides access to the Internet.
LAN (Local Area Network) - The computers and networking products that make up the network in your home or
office.
MAC (Media Access Control) Address - The unique address that a manufacturer assigns to each networking
device.
Mbps (Megabits Per Second) - One million bits per second; a unit of measurement for data transmission.
Network - A series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or
transmission between users.
NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) - The protocol used to connect to Usenet groups on the Internet.
Packet - A unit of data sent over a network.
Ping (Packet INternet Groper) - An Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP address is online.
POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) - A standard protocol used to retrieve e-mail stored on a mail server.
Port - 1. The connection point on a computer or networking device used for plugging in a cable or an adapter. 2.
The virtual connection point through which a computer uses a specific application on a server.
PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet) - A type of broadband connection that provides authentication
(username and password) in addition to data transport.
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.
Server - Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications,
and other services.