| A | B |
|---|
| VPN | Virtual Private Network. A private network that is configured within a public network. For years, common carriers have built VPNs that appear as private networks to the consumer. |
| DNS | Domain name service. This service will map a TCP/IP number, such as 172.16.4.245 to a more easily remembered name. |
| Hub | A hub is an electronic device that connects several computers or networks together. |
| Repeater | Regenerates and amplifies the data bits in order to maintain a strong signal that might otherwise deteriorate over a long distance. |
| Brouter | A brouter is a communication device that functions as both a bridge and a router. |
| Gateway | A gateway is a protocol converter that suppports communication between networks that use different protocols. |
| RJ-45 | The connector used to connect to the internet. |
| Cat 5 | Cat 5 cable can either be UTP or STP. It can transfer 100mbps. |
| BNC Connector | This is used to join coaxial cables like RG-58 A/U into a network. |
| Fiber-optic cable | Core of glass carries the light. Cladding surrounds the core, bends the light, and confines it to the core. Primary buffer coating surrounds all other layers. Secondary buffer coating surrounds the primary buffer coating. |
| Network adapter | A printed circuit board that plugs into both the clients (personal computers or workstations) and servers and controls the exchange of data between them. |
| Half duplex | The transmission of data in both directions, but only one direction at a time. |
| Full duplex | Transmitting and receiving simultaneously. In pure digital networks, this is achieved with two pairs of wires. In analog networks or in digital networks using carriers. |
| TCP/IP | Transmission control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This is the suite of communications protocols used to connect hosts on the Internet and is now the global standard for communications. |
| IP address | Identifies a computer or device on a TCP/IP network. Every computer on the Internet must have a unique IP address. |
| IPX | Internetwork Packet Exchange works at the Network Layer 3 of the OSI model. |
| SPX | Sequenced Packet Exchange is the usual Transport Layer 4 protocol that works with IPX in Layer 3 to guarantee that the packets sent out by IPX can be accurately assembled into the entire message by the destination node. |
| NetBEUI | NetBios Extended User Interface. Transport layer for Net Bios originally part of a single protocol suite that was later separated. |
