Glossary
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ICMP
Internet Control Message Protocol. A protocol within TCP/IP used to report errors in
datagram transmission.
Internet
The global interconnection of TCP/IP based computer communication networks.
IP
Internet Protocol. A common network layer protocol. IP is most often used with TCP.
IP Address
Internet Protocol Address. A 32–bit address assigned to hosts using TCP/IP.
layer
In the OSI model, a portion of the structure of a device which provides defined services
for the transfer of information.
MAC Address
Media Access Control address. The hardware address of a device. A MAC address is
assigned to an Ethernet TCP/IP module in the factory.
network
Interconnected devices sharing a common data path and protocol for communication.
node
An addressable device on a communications network.
OSI model
Open System Interconnection model. A reference standard describing the required
performance of devices for data communication. Produced by the International
Standards Organization.
packet
The unit of data sent across a network.
PING
Packet Internet Groper. A program used to test whether a destination on a network can
be reached.
port
An access point for data entry or exit within a host using TCP services.
protocol
Describes message formats and a set of rules used by two or more devices to
communicate using those formats.