A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X Y Z
A
Analog A representation that is similar to (or
Analogous to) the original. For example, the height of the colored bar on a thermometer is
analogous to the amount of heat; the hotter it is, the higher the colored bar.
Animated GIF A moving GIF image on a Web page,
created by combining several images into a single GIF file. An animated GIF can loop endlessly
or it can display a few images and then stop the animation.
ANSI American National Standards Institute.
APPC Peer-to-peer networking services in an IBM
SNA network.
AppleShare Software by Apple Computer that enables
a Macintosh computer to function as a file server.
AppleShare PC Software by Apple Computer that
enables MS-DOS based personal computers to access an AppleTalk network.
AppleTalk A local area operating system by Apple
Computer. It is built into Macintosh and Apple IIGS computers.
ARCnet A popular local area network that uses
token passing over a star topology of coaxial cable, twisted pair, or optical
fiber.
ASCII American Standard Code for Information
Interchange. A common code for representing alphanumeric characters in computers.
B
Backbone The main trunk of a network communication
channel.
Band The range of frequencies in which signals are
transmitted.
Bandwidth The difference between the highest and
lowest frequencies used for a communication channel. Generally, more bandwidth means
greater transmission capacity.
Banner Short for "banner advertisement". A graphic or image used for
advertising on the Internet.
Baud rate The maximum number of signal pulses that
a communication line can handle per second. Higher baud rates indicate greater
transmission capacities.
Baudot code A telecommunication code (representing
alphanumeric characters) that predated ASCII. Baudot code was developed for use in
telegraphy.
BCDIC Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. A code for
representing alphanumeric characters in computers.
Bit The smallest unit of data representation in a
computer. Can represent 0 or 1.
Bridge An internetworking device that connects two
similar networks.
Brouter An internetworking device that functions
as a router for protocols that it understands, and as a bridge for those that it does not.
Browser A World Wide Web program that retrieves Web pages
for display on a computer screen. The two most popular browsers are Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Browser-safe colors The 216 colors used by Netscape and Internet Explorer when the display is set to use only 256 colors.
Bus A main communication channel to which devices
connect.
Byte Eight bits. A byte can represent whole
numbers from 0 to 255. Typically, one byte holds a single character.
Bps Bits per second. A unit of measurement for
data transfer rates.
C
CCITT Consultative Committee for International Telephony
and Telegraphy. An international standards organization.
Central processing A networking strategy in which
processing occurs at a host, not at workstations.
Circuit switching A temporary connection created
by connecting two or more communication channels. An example of this is the public
switched telephone system.
Client A network node that uses services provided by a
server.
Client-server A network in which some nodes
provide special services, such as printing and file sharing, for other nodes.
Closed Access is not available. For example a
"closed network architecture" is one that does not enable other systems to
interconnect.
Cluster controller A device that provides a
connection between several devices (such as terminals and printers) and a host.
Coaxial cable A data-transmission medium that
contains a single conductor surrounded by a metal shield.
Codec A COde/DECode device that enables analog
data to be transmitted over digital lines.
Common carrier A company that provides
telecommunications services to the public. Telephone companies are an example.
Communication A process by which information is
transferred between at least two parties.
Communication channel The medium through which
information is transmitted.
Communications server A specialized network node
that provides clients with access to communications capabilities. A typical example
is a computer that provides other nodes with access to a shared modem.
Contention A media-access control strategy in
which devices attempt to transmit when the channel is not being used by another device.
If two devices attempt to transmit at the same time, the contention strategy
requires that both devices temporarily stop transmitting until the channel is free again.
CPM Cost per thousand impressions. A way to price banner ads. If an
advertiser's CPM is $25 then you get 1000 impressions of your
banner on his/her site for $25.
Crosstalk Interference caused by "leaks"
from a nearby communication channel.
CSMA Carrier Sense Multiple Access. A contention
media-access strategy.
CTR Click-through ratio. A method of rating how many times a banner
is clicked on. A ratio of the number of times a banner is shown
to the number of times it is clicked on. For example, if a
banner has a CTR of 20:1, it means that 1 out of 20 people have
clicked on it (i.e. 5% of the people who viewed it).
D
Data compression A procedure that uses
mathematical techniques to encode data so that it uses less space. In most cases,
data must be decompressed into its original form to be usable.
Data encryption A security procedure that encodes
data so that it cannot easily be understood. To be usable, data must be decrypted
into its original form by reversing the procedure that was used to encrypt it.
Database server A network computer that
specializes in retrieving and storing data, providing that service to clients.
De facto standard A standard that exists through
popular practice.
De jure standard A standard that exists through
codes, laws, decrees, or other forms of legislation.
DECnet A network developed by Digital Equipment
Corporation that connects DEC computers, PCs, and Macintoshes.
Dial-up A dial-up Internet account allows use of a computer
with a modem and appropriate software to connect to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
The software "dials" the ISP's access number and the user can then send Email, browse the World Wide
Web or engage in other Internet activities.
Digital A representation that uses discrete
mathematical values to represent an object or amount. For example, a digital
thermometer uses numbers to represent the relative amount of heat. (Compare with
analog.)
Diskless workstation A networked computer that
does not have local storage.
Distributed application An application that runs
on two or more networked computers.
Distributed processing A system in which
processing of applications stored on the network is done by client computers.
"Distributed processing" is also sometimes used to refer to "distributed
applications."
Dither To approximate a color that is not part of the current pallette
by combining pixels of different colors close to each other. Viewed from a distance, it gives the effect of the desired color, but viewed closely, the dots are visible. Dithering can be avoided by selecting non-dithering colors that are compatible with different browsers.
DNA Digital Network Architecture. A network architecture developed by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Domain Name The unique name that identifies an Internet site. On the Web, the domain name is the part of the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that tells a domain name server where to forward a request for a Web page. For example, the domain name of this web site is montereynet.net.
DSL Digital Subscriber Line, a technology for bringing high-bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines.
Dumb terminal An entry and display device that has
no processing capability. Used in networks based on central processing.
E
EBCDIC Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange
Code. A common code for representing alphanumeric characters in computers.
Email (or e-mail) Electronic mail, which enables people with different computers and operating systems to communicate with each other via the Internet.
Ethernet A popular local area network that uses a
contention media-access method over a bus topology of coaxial cable. Also used to
refer to the standard specified by IEEE 802.3.
EWN Enterprise-wide network. A network that
serves an entire organization. Implies interoperability of disparate computing
platforms, such as MS-DOS, UNIX, OS/2, and Macintosh.
F
FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface. Lower
layers standard for networks based on optical fiber.
FEP Front-end processor. A device that
manages communication between a host and other devices.
File server A node that provides other nodes with
the access to shared storage.
Firewall A network security device (a combination of hardware and software) that prevents unauthorized users from accessing an intranet or LAN.
FTP File Transfer Protocol. A protocol that enables the transfer of files from one computer to another via the Internet.
G
Gateway A computer that interconnects disparate
types of networks, translating protocols as necessary. For example, a gateway might
connect personal computers on a LAN to a mainframe computer.
GIF Graphical Interchange Format, a bitmap graphical format, originally developed for CompuServe and widely used for web graphics and banners. It is especially appropriate for logos, line drawings, and other images with solid colors and distinct borders between colors. Not always the best choice for photo-realistic images.
GOSIP Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile.
A United States government specification that requires government network purchases
to be OSI-compliant.
Groupware Software that enables a group of users
to collaborate on a project by means of network communications.
H
HDLC High-Level Data Link Control. A Data
Link layer protocol.
Hierarchical networks A network in which a host
controls network communications and processing.
hit A questionable measure of web site traffic. Count one hit each
time a browser request is made from a web server. For example, a
page containing 5 images counts 6 hits each time it is viewed
(once for each image and once for the page itself). Page views are a much better way to measure traffic.
Home Page (or Homepage) Originally, the web page that a browser is set to use when it starts up. The more common meaning refers to the top level document of a set of web pages.
Host Computer that controls network communication
in a hierarchical network.
HTML HyperText Markup Language, the coding language used to create hypertext documents for the World Wide Web. In HTML, a block of text can be surrounded with tags that indicate how it should appear (for example, in bold face or italics). Also, in HTML a word, a block of text, or an image can be linked to another file on the Web. HTML files are viewed with a World Wide Web browser.
HTML Validator Service which checks HTML documents for compliance with HTML standards.
HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol, the set of rules for exchanging text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files on the World Wide Web.
Hyperlink A link in a document to information within that document or another document. These links are usually represented by highlighted words or images. When a reader selects a hyperlink, the computer display switches to the document or portion of the document referenced by the hyperlink.
Hypermedia or Hypertext Richly formatted documents containing a variety of information types, such as text, images, video, and audio. These documents generally contain hyperlinks.
I
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers. A standards organization.
IEEE 802 Lower-layers standards for LANs set forth
by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
Impression A measure of how many times a banner is displayed. Count one impression each time the banner is shown.
Internet A global network that incorporates
networks belonging to the United States government, academic institutions, and other
organizations.
InterNIC Internet Networked Information Center, the organization responsible for registering and maintaining domain names on the World Wide Web.
Interoperability The ability of disparate systems
to share network resources.
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Technology. Used for high-speed Internet connections, an ISDN line can transmit data at 128,000 bits per second.
ISO International Standards Organization.
ISP An Internet Service Provider, or ISP, furnishes access to the Internet.
J
JPEG (or JPG) Joint Photographic Expert Group, a graphical
format widely used in WWW pages for photo-realistic images. JPEG is a compressed format which can result in
significantly
reduced file sizes for photographs and other images with
continuous color changes. Not as common as GIF for banners because
JPEG compression has a tendency to blur small text (which
banners usually have).
K
Kbps Kilobits per second; how many thousands of
bits of data can be transferred in one second.
L
LAN Local area network. A network that is limited
to a small geographic area.
Leased line A communication channel provided by a
common carrier for a fee.
Link An active connection to another web page, location in a web page, file, or other Internet resource. Selecting the link takes you to the new location.
LocalTalk A lower-layers protocol developed by
Apple Computer.
LU 6.2 Another name for APPC (IBM's peer-to-peer
networking services provided by SNA networks).
M
MAC Media-Access Control. Portion of the
Data Link layer that controls access to the communication channel.
Mainframe computer Large-scale computer, such as
those produced by IBM, Burroughs, Univac, NCR, Control Data, and Honeywell.
Typically mainframe computers function as hosts in a hierarchical network.
MAN Municipal Area Network or Metropolitan Area
Network. A medium- to high-speed network that spans an entire city or municipal area.
Media-access Media-Access Control Portion of the
Data Link layer that method controls access to the communication channel.
Mesh Network architecture in which each node has a
dedicated connection to all other nodes.
Message A chunk of data that is transmitted over a
network.
Message switching A strategy that enables
communication channels to be used simultaneously by more than one node. At each
transfer point in the connection, incoming data is stored in its entirety, then forwarded
to the next point. This process continues until the data reaches its destination.
Meta Tag A tag used in the header of a web page to provide information about the page. Careful
construction of descriptions and keywords on meta lines will help improve standings with some of the
search engines.
MHS Message Handling Service. An electronic
mail protocol developed by Action Technologies, Inc.
Minicomputer A mid-sized computer that can
function as a workstation or a multi-user system.
Modem MOdulate/DEModulate device that enables
digital data to be transmitted over analog lines.
N
NETBIOS A network-transport protocol introduced by
IBM.
Netiquette Short for net etiquette. Basic principles of courtesy and consideration for others on the Internet.
Network A collection of hardware and software that
enables a group of computers to communicate and provide users with access to shared
resources.
Network adapter A device that enables a computer
to attach to a network.
Network architecture A description of how communication
occurs within a specific type of network.
Network segment An uninterrupted length of the
network communication channel. For example, a single cable between two repeaters,
bridges, or routers is a segment.
Network-only application A software program that
runs only on, or is useful only on a network.
Node A network-access point. Examples
include terminals and computers.
Noise Extrinsic signals that corrupt a data
transmission. Noise can come from crosstalk and other forms of electromagnetic
interference.
NOS Network Operating System.
O
Open Access is available. For example, an
"open network architecture" is one that enables other systems to interconnect.
Optical fiber A glass conduit that transmits data
encoded in light signals.
OSI Open Systems Interconnection. A
prototype for network communication that promotes interconnectivity.
P
Packet switching A strategy that enables
communication channels to be used simultaneously by more than one node. Before
messages are transferred, they are divided into small chunks called packets, that fit
easily into memory (unlike message switching, in which entire messages are moved, thus
requiring storage for large messages). At the destination, the packets are
reassembled into the original message.
Page view A measure of how many times a complete page is displayed. Count
one page view each time a page is displayed.
Pbx Private branch exchange. A privately
owned telephone system typically confined within a single building or campus.
Peer Relationship between network devices that
have mutual access to each other's resources.
Peer-to-peer Communication between two network
devices that have the same status on the network.
Personal computer (or microcomputer) A
relatively small single-user computer.
Polling A media-access-control strategy in which a
controlling computer mediates access to the communication channel.
POTS Plain Old Telephone Service. The analog
voice telephone network provided by common carriers.
Protocol A code or set of rules by which
communication is initiated, maintained, and terminated.
Pure network application (Same as network only
application.) A software program that runs only on, or is useful only on a network.
R
Real time A transmission or transaction that
occurs immediately or in an extremely short period of time. A telephone conversation
occurs in real time; correspondence through mail does not.
Receiver The component on the "hearing"
end of a transmission.
Repeater A device that connects two network
segments to make them work as one. Repeaters can extend the length of a network
beyond the physical limitations of a single cable.
Ring A network topology that connects network
devices in a continuous loop.
Router A device that connects networks and can
determine the best path for data when there are multiple paths.
S
SCSI port Small Computer System Interface port.
A high-speed connection that enables devices, such as hard-disk drives and network
adapters, to be attached to a computer.
Search Engines Web services which help search through Internet addresses for user-defined terms or topics in which you are interested.
Server A network node that provides services, such
as printing or storage, to other nodes.
Shielding A metal foil or mesh surrounding a conductor
to reduce electromagnetic interference.
SLIP/PPP Serial Line Internet Protocol/Point to Point Protocol. Protocols for connecting two or more computers over phone lines to form a network.
SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. The protocol that controls Email format and functioning.
SNA Systems Network Architecture. A network
developed by IBM to interconnect IBM's family of computers.
Spam Unsolicited email on the Internet.
SQL Server Structured Query Language server.
A computer that provides client computers with highly efficient access to database
files.
Stand-alone application An application that was
designed for non-network use.
Stand-alone network application An application
that is processed locally by client computers, but stored on the network, typically
providing access to network features.
Standards A common set of rules.
Star A network topology in which nodes are
connected to a central hub.
Station A computer attached to a network.
T
T-carrier A leased digital line service.
TCP/IP Transport Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol. Refers to the Internet Protocols, a set of protocols originally developed
for the United States government. Because the Internet Protocols have been
implemented on a wide variety of computers, they are often used in networks that
interconnect disparate systems.
Telnet A program that enables a computer to log on to any accessible host computer on the Internet.
Thumbnail A small version of an image, normally linked to a larger version.
Token passing A media-access-control strategy in
which a sequence of bits known as a "token" is passed from node to node.
The node that currently holds the token has control of the communication channel.
Token ring A popular local area network (developed
by IBM) that uses a token-passing media access method over a star topology. Also
used to refer to the standard specified by IEEE 802.5.
Transceiver A device that can function as a
transmitter or receiver.
Transmitter The component on the
"speaker" end of a transmission.
Twisted pair Cable consisting of at least two
insulated wires that are intertwined to reduce electromagnetic interference.
U
Unguided media Product that transmits data through
the air, such as radio or microwave.
URL Uniform Resource Locator- The standard way to address a source of information on the Internet. For example, http://www.montereynet.net points to the Monterey Network Center home page.
V
Validator See HTML Validator.
W
WAN Wide area network. A network of interconnected
networks.
Web See WWW.
Web page A document displayed on the web. A web page may consist of a single screen or multiple
screens reached by scrolling down or to the right. Note that a web page does not normally correspond exactly to a
printed page. A single web page may require several sheets of paper when it is printed.
Web site or website A collection of Web pages on a particular subject, including a beginning file called a home page. Other pages on the site can be reached, directly or indirectly, from the home page.
WWW or the Web World Wide Web, a distributed hypertext-based information system on the Internet, which provides users an easy way to access global information consisting of a mixture of text, graphics, sound files, and video clips.
WYSIWYG (pronounced wiz-ee-wig) "What You See Is What You Get". As applied to web page editing software, this means that the developer manipulates text and images directly on the screen instead of explicitly writing the HTML code.
X
X.25 A CCITT standard that describes the interface
for packet-switched networks.
X.400 A CCITT standard that describes
electronic-mail protocols.
