BT Micro Owner’s Manual
192
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.
FTP File Transfer Protocol
A program used to transfer files between computers
connected to the Internet. Common uses include uploading
new or updated files to a web server, and downloading files
from a web server.
Gbps Abbreviation of Gigabits per second, or one billion bits per
second. Internet data rates are often expressed in Gbps.
host A system (usually a computer) connected to a network.
HTTP Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol
HTTP is the main protocol used to transfer data from web
sites so that it can be displayed by web browsers. See web
browser, web site.
Hub A hub is a place of convergence where data arrives from one
or more directions and is forwarded out in one or more
directions. It connects an Ethernet bridge/router to a group of
PCs on a LAN and allows communication to pass between
the networked systems.
ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol
An Internet protocol used to report errors and other network-
related information. The ping command makes use of ICMP.
IEEE The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a
technical professional society that fosters the development of
standards that often become national and international
standards.
Internet The global collection of interconnected networks used for
both private and business communications.
intranet A private, company-internal network that looks like part of the
Internet (users access information using web browsers), but
is accessible only by employees.
IP See TCP/IP.
IP address Internet Protocol address
The address of a host (computer) on the Internet, consisting
of four numbers, each from 0 to 255, separated by periods,
e.g., 209.191.4.240. An IP address consists of a network ID
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General