Hub - The device that serves as the central location for attaching wires from workstations. Can be
passive, where there is no amplification of the signals; or active, where the hubs are used like
repeaters to provide an extension of the cable that connects to a workstation.
HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol) - The communications protocol used to connect to servers
on the World Wide Web. Its primary function is to establish a connection with a Web server and
transmit HTML pages to the client browser.
MAC Address - The MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique number assigned by the
manufacturer to any Ethernet networking device, such as a network adapter, that allows the
network to identify it at the hardware level.
Mbps (MegaBits Per Second) - One million bits per second; unit of measurement for data
transmission.
IP Address - In the most widely installed level of the Internet Protocol (IP) today, an IP address is
a 32-binary digit number that identifies each sender or receiver of information that is sent in
packets across the Internet. When you request an HTML page or send e-mail, the Internet
Protocol part of TCP/IP includes your IP address in the message (actually, in each of the packets
if more than one is required) and sends it to the IP address that is obtained by looking up the
domain name in the Uniform Resource Locator you requested or in the e-mail address you're
sending a note to. At the other end, the recipient can see the IP address of the Web page
requestor or the e-mail sender and can respond by sending another message using the IP
address it received.
IPCONFIG - A utility that provides for querying, defining and managing IP addresses within a
network. A commonly used utility, under Windows NT and 2000, for configuring networks with
static IP addresses.
ISP - An ISP (Internet service provider) is a company that provides individuals and companies
access to the Internet and other related services such as website building and virtual hosting.
Packet - A unit of data routed between an origin and a destination in a network.
Network Mask - Also known as the “Subnet Mask.”
NIC (Network Interface Card) - A board installed in a computer system, usually a PC, to provide
network communication capabilities to and from that computer system. Also called an adapter.
RJ-45 - A connector similar to a telephone connector that holds up to eight wires, used for
connecting Ethernet devices.
Server - Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing,
communications, and other services.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - The standard e-mail protocol on the Internet. It is a
TCP/IP protocol that defines the message format and the message transfer agent (MTA), which
stores and forwards the mail.
Ping (Packet INternet Groper) - An Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP
address is online. It is used to test and debug a network by sending out a packet and waiting for a
response.
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