100Base-T
Standard cabling that connects computers on a network. Has a small square jack similar to that for a telephone. Also known as "Fast Ethernet," this type of networking enables high speed transfer of data between computers.

802.11 and 802.11b
Tech specs for wireless computing. Industry standards for transferring info around a computer network using radio waves.

802.3
Industry defined specification that describes the characteristics of Ethernet (wired) connections.

Activation
Activation is the process by which your existing phone line becomes enabled to receive data and voice calls simultaneously. Activation takes place at your local phone exchange.

Acceptable Use Policy
An agreement with your Internet service provider to use their network in a responsible manner.

ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line; High speed Internet access that works over a regular phone line. Downstream speeds average 1.54 mbps, and upstream speeds range from 256 kbps - 512 kbps. ADSL is typically used in residential areas.

Anti-virus software
Protection against malicious computer code usually sent via email but sometimes infecting web site downloads. PCs are particularly vulnerable and you should have anti-virus software installed no matter wish way you connect to the internet.

ASP
Applications Service Provider. A company that rents access to software and services across the internet.

Backbone
The term is often used to describe the main network connections composing the Internet.

Backhaul
In wireless network technology, to transmit voice and data traffic from centralized exchange to a remote access point, i.e., from a remote site to a central site.

Bandwidth
The amount of data transmitted in a given amount of time; usually measured in bits per second, kilobits per second, and megabits per second.

Bit
A single unit of data, either a one or a zero. In the world of broadband, bits are used to refer to the amount of transmitted data. A kilobit (kb) is approximately 1000 bits. A megabit (Mb) is approximately 1,000,000 bits.

Bottleneck
Occurs when data passes through a port at a slower speed than the actual data transmission.

Broadband
Term referring to the high speed industry; a data "pipe" which can carry multiple channels at once (as opposed to baseband, which can only carry one signal at a time).

Broadband Wireless Access (BWA)
A BWA radio network consists of base stations (or Access Points ) and Customer Premise Equipment ( CPE ) radios aka Subscriber Units ( SU ). The Access Points (APs) are typically mounted on towers or tall buildings since each customer requires line-of-sight ( LOS ) back to the base station in order to receive service. Because the AP is communicating with multiple SUs, it is considered a point-to-multipoint (PmP) network. Point-to-multipoint networks are very cost efficient and easy to manage since Access points serve as the management portal and their quantities are limited.

Byte
8 bits. A kilobyte (KB) is approximately 1000 bytes. A megabyte (MB) is approximately 1,000,000 bytes. Bytes are usually used to refer to the size of files stored on a computer's hard drive.

Cable Modem
A modem that connects to your cable TV line in order to give you high speed access to the Internet.

CO (Central Office)
A circuit switch where the phone lines in a geographical area come together, usually housed in a small building.

Coaxial Cable
A type of cable that can carry large amounts of bandwidth over long distances.  Cable TV and cable modem service both utilize this cable.

DHCP
Short for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a protocol for assigning dynamic IP addresses to devices on a network. With dynamic addressing, a device can have a different IP address every time it connects to the network. In some systems, the device's IP address can even change while it is still connected.

Dialup
A term used to refer to Internet access using a phone modem. Usually, the user dials a telephone number using the computer in order to connect to the Internet. The maximum bandwidth of a dialup connection is 56 kbps.

DSL
Short for Digital Subscriber Line, DSL technologies use sophisticated modulation schemes to send data over the copper wire used for your phone connection and is considered high speed or broadband Internet access.

DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer)
A device located in the Central Office switch that enables it for xDSL capabilities.

DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification)
A set of standards that cable modem manufacturers must adhere to.  These standards ensure the inter operability of cable modem equipment.

Downstream
Data flowing from the Internet to your computer (Surfing the net, getting E-mail, downloading a file).

Dynamic IP address
Originally all Internet Protocol addresses were static, but with the growth of the internet it soon became clear there wouldn't be enough to go around. A dynamic IP address changes every time you connect to the internet. Your ISP will have a range of dynamic IP addresses available and you will be allocated any one of these at any time.

Encryption
A means of codifying information to prevent unauthorized access. Only those with authorization and the key to unlock the code can decipher the encrypted data.

Encrypted
Data (computerized information) is scrambled in order to prevent unauthorized access.

Ethernet
A protocol developed in the 1970's that supports LAN's (Local Area Networks).  Ethernet is capable of 10 mbps data transmissions, and "fast Ethernet" is capable of 100 mbps.

Extranet
An intranet that is accessible to computers that are not physically part of a company's own private network, but that is not accessible to the general public. For example, to allow vendors and business partners to access a company web site.

Firewall
Gatekeeper hardware or software that guards against unauthorized access to your computer via the internet by hackers.

Fixed Wireless Broadband
Fixed wireless refers to wireless devices or systems that are situated in fixed locations, such as an office or home, as opposed to devices that are mobile, such as cell phones and PDAs. Fixed wireless devices normally derive their electrical power from utility mains, as opposed to portable wireless devices that normally derive their power from batteries.

The point-to-point signal transmissions occur through the air over a terrestrial microwave platform rather than through copper or fiber cables; therefore, fixed wireless does not require satellite feeds or local phone service. The advantages of fixed wireless include the ability to connect with users in remote areas without the need for laying new cables and the capacity for broad bandwidth that is not impeded by fiber or cable capacities.

Gateway
See Router

Gateway address
The IP address you use when you make a connection outside your immediate network.

Gigabyte (GB)
2 to the 30th power (1,073,741,824) bytes. One gigabyte is equal to 1,024 megabytes. Gigabyte is often shortened to GB.

DSL
High Bit Rate DSL; Downstream and upstream bandwidth are about 1.5 mbps using two telephone lines.

HDSL II
Same as HDSL but using one phone line instead of two.

Headend Router
The device, located at a cable provider, that manages all of the cable modems in a geographical area.  The headend router has a direct connection to an Internet backbone.

HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coax)
A type of cable that can carry large amounts of bandwidth over long distances.  Cable TV and cable modem service both utilize this cable.

IDSL
ISDN Digital Subscriber Line; Combination of ISDN and DSL. Provides a 144 kbps connection.

Installation
Configuring your computer system to the fast lane of the information super highway. There are normally two options available:

Self install (or Wires Only) - User purchases own modem/router and plugs it all in. Quick and saves on the cost of an engineer.

Engineer install - An engineer sets it all up for you with a modem or router supplied by the company and tests the connection.

Internet
A global network connecting millions of computers. More than 100 countries are linked into exchanges of data, news and opinions.

Unlike online services, which are centrally controlled, the Internet is decentralized by design. Each Internet computer, called a host , is independent. Its operators can choose which Internet services to use and which local services to make available to the global Internet community. Remarkably, this anarchy by design works exceedingly well.

There are a variety of ways to access the Internet. Most online services, such as America Online, offer access to some Internet services. It is also possible to gain access through a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The Internet is not synonymous with World Wide Web .

Internet Backbone
A company that owns large amounts of bandwidth.  The bandwidth is leased to ISP's or telephone companies, which allows them to supply consumers with access to the Internet.

Intranet
A private network or web site for internal company or organization uses. Can be tunneled into by authorized users.

IP Address
A unique numerical address for every computer that is connected to the Internet. If a computer has a static IP address, its IP address is always the same. If a computer has a dynamic IP address, its IP address is assigned by the ISP whenever the computer logs on. A static IP address is required to run a web server.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
A digital signal that travels over existing copper phone lines.  ISDN works in channels.  Each B (Bearer) channel is capable of 64 kbps.  BRI lines (Basic Rate Interface) consist of 2 B channels for a maximum Internet connection speed of 128k.  PRI lines (Primary Rate Interface) consist of 23 B channels, also known as a T1 line.  BRI's are used in residential areas, and PRI's are used for business.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A company providing Internet access to consumers and businesses.

Kbps
Kilobits per second (1 kilobit per second equals 1,000 bits per second). A measure of data transfer through a modem or on a network.

LAN (Local Area Network)
A group of computers sharing resources (files, printer, Internet access).  Usually, LAN's are set up using Ethernet cards and cable.

Last mile
The last mile, first mile, local loop, access network: Whatever you choose to call it, the meaning's the same -- that part of the telecom network that links users with broadband services

Login or logon
The method by which you identify yourself to a host computer. This often means typing a user name and password.

Loop Qualification Check
A test that the telephone company can perform to see how far a customer is (in wire feet) from the Central Office switch.

Mbps
Megabits per second. A unit of bandwidth measurement that defines the speed at which information can be transferred through a network or Ethernet cable. One megabyte is roughly equivalent to eight megabits.

MSO (Multiple Service Operator)
The name for a cable provider offering cable modem service to its customers.

Microfilter
A channel splitter that inserts into the phone socket to prevent noise interference from an ADSL connection on phone extensions during voice or fax calls.

NAT
Network Address Translation. A broadband configuration that offers extra security and enables more than one computer to use a single IP address (your location on the internet).

Network
A group of two or more computer systems linked together. There are many types of computer networks, including:

•  Local-area networks (LANs) - The computers are geographically close together (that is, in the same building).
•  Wide-area networks (WANs) - The computers are farther apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves.
•  Campus-area networks (CANs) - The computers are within a limited geographic area, such as a campus or military base.
•  Metropolitan-area networks (MANs) - A data network designed for a town or city.
•  Home-area networks (HANs) - A network contained within a user's home that connects a person's digital devices.

Network Card
An internal card on a computer which allows the computer to be connected to a network.  Also known as 10Base-T card, 100Base-T card, Network Interface Card (NIC), or Ethernet card.

Non-NAT
If you need someone or something (such as a server) that is outside of your network to connect to a machine inside your network, then you need non-NAT. The non-NAT option offers extra IP addresses and routes data to specific addresses.

Packet
A unit of information transmitted as a whole from one device to another on a network.

Peer-to-peer network
A network of two or more computers that communicate without using a central server. This lack of reliance on a server differentiates a peer-to-peer network from a client/server network.

PING
A method of bouncing a signal to a computer's IP address to check if it is online and to measure the response time. Rather like radar or echo location.

Point-to-Multipoint  (P2MP)
A point-to-multipoint system interconnects a large number of facilities in a relatively small area.  In order to serve a larger geographic region and a larger number of facilities, multiple systems are interconnected using point-to-multipoint technology.  Connection into the end user's local area network, or LAN, from the remote router (access terminal) is accomplished through a standard Ethernet cable.

Point to Point (P2P)
We use this term for any connection that is from one point to another, such as a T1, DS3, and OC3 etc. These are typically used for business connections and are generally more expensive then residential services.

PPPoE
Short for Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet, PPPoE relies on two widely accepted standards: PPP and Ethernet. PPPoE is a protocol that allows users to log on and off from their high speed or broadband internet connection.

PRI (Primary Rate Interface)
A type of ISDN line that consists of twenty-three 64 kbps B channels and one 64 kbps D channel.  The connection rate of this line is about 1.5 mbps; also known as a T1.
 
Proprietary
Equipment that does not conform to a standard.  Proprietary computer equipment will typically only communicate with equipment of the same brand/type.

RADSL
Rate Adaptive DSL; Adjusts bandwidth amounts according to the phone line quality. Up to 7 mbps downstream and 1.5 mbps upstream.

Remote working
The ability to access your own computer securely across the internet. Software such as PC Anywhere and LapLink, or service provider, GoToMyPC.com enables communication between machines. Requires your machine to be at a static IP address.

RF
Short for r adio f requency , any frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an antenna, an electromagnetic field is created that then is able to propagate through space. Many wireless technologies are based on RF field propagation.

These frequencies make up part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum:

• Ultra-low frequency (ULF) -- 0-3 Hz
• Extremely low frequency (ELF) -- 3 Hz - 3 kHz
• Very low frequency (VLF) -- 3kHz - 30 kHz
• Low frequency (LF) -- 30 kHz - 300 kHz
• Medium frequency (MF) -- 300 kHz - 3 MHz
• High frequency (HF) -- 3MHz - 30 MHz
• Very high frequency (VHF) -- 30 MHz - 300 MHz
• Ultra-high frequency (UHF)-- 300MHz - 3 GHz
• Super high frequency (SHF) -- 3GHz - 30 GHz
• Extremely high frequency (EHF) -- 30GHz - 300 GHz

RJ-11 connector
Cable connection for joining a phone line to a modem.

RJ-45 connector
Small square-ish plug found at the ends of Ethernet cables.

Router
A device that transmits data from one local or wide area network to another. Routers can perform such functions as: making decisions on the most expedient route by which to send the data; balancing traffic on the network and filtering traffic for security purposes.

Router-hub
A device that sits between your computer and the internet and determines where to send your online data. Necessary when more than one computer is sharing a connection. Also known as a gateway or base station.

Satellite broadband
Broadband connectivity supplied from a satellite located in geostationary orbit.

SDSL
Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line; High speed Internet access that works over a regular phone line. Downstream and upstream speeds are equal and can be anywhere from 160 kbps - 1.54 mbps. SDSL can be used in business or residential areas.

Serial Port
The 9 or 25 pin ports on PC's that are used for connecting external devices to the computer, such as modems;  also known as COM ports.

Spread spectrum
A wireless modulation technique that spreads a signal over a frequency range, enhancing the security and efficiency of the transmission. Multiple transmissions can share the same frequency, as the packets sent in this way contain unique ID headers recognized by the receiver. The direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) method spreads the signal over the 2.4 or 5.8 GHz frequency bands. The frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) method sends short bursts over specific frequencies.

Static IP address
A static Internet Protocol address that doesn't change every time you log on to the Internet. A static IP address is required if you need to run your own email server (SMTP), Virtual Private Network or remote communications applications.

Telecommute
To work at home and communicate with the office via electronic means

Terrestrial
Of or relating to the earth. The term is used in reference to satellite technologies to distinguish between what is out in space and what is located on the earth's surface.

Tier 1 Connection
A direct connection to the Internet Backbone. Most ISP's go through a Tier 2 carrier which increases latency and slows your reaction time. WiVo is on a Tier 1 connection.

Two way satellite
Broadband connection whereby the upstream (outbound) and the downstream (inbound) data are sent from and arrive via a satellite. The connection is usually asymmetric, i.e. the download speed is faster than the upload speed. One way satellite is when the upstream traffic is routed terrestrially, normally via a dial up modem.

Unified Messaging
Provides one centralized in-box for all voice, email and fax messages. All message types can be managed using familiar packages such as Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes.

Upstream
Data flowing from your computer to the Internet (sending E-mail, uploading a file).

USB (Universal Serial Bus)
A way of connecting devices to a computer.  One USB controller (2 ports) can support up to 127 devices.  USB can transmit data up to 12 megabits per second, and it is a true plug and play interface.  Windows 98 Second Edition and Macintosh OS 8.5.3 both support USB.

VDSL
Very High Bit Rate DSL; Customers must be within 4,500 feet of the CO. Provides data rates of 13 - 52 mbps downstream and 1.5 - 2 mbps upstream.

Video conferencing
Real time video to allow multiple users to broadcast and receive sound and vision simultaneously.

Virtual Server
Web server that hosts a number of sites simultaneously, each with a unique domain name and IP address .

Virtual Private Network
Virtual Private Network. This allows a secure, encrypted connection between two points over the Internet.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Using broadband to send voice calls over the internet. The voice signals are broken down into packets and reassembled at the receiving end.

WAN
Three letter acronym meaning "Wide Area Network." A geographically widespread network that might include many linked local area networks.

Web Hosting
Placing a customer's web site on a commercial web server.

WEP
Three Letter Acronym standing for "Wired Equivalent Privacy" .WEP sometimes also goes under the alias of "wireless security." Essentially wireless network encryption to protect data transmitted over wireless networks.

Wi-Fi
Commonly used to signify the 802.11b standard - a form of wireless networking. Wireless-Fidelity allows the connection of two or more computers without the need for physical cabling between them. The most common forms of WiFi are 80211.b (capable of up to 11 Mb/Sec) and 802.11.g (capable of up to54 Mb/Sec).

Wireless
The use of radio signals to connect computers without cables whether it be a computer and a mouse or a network of computers that connect to the internet.

Wireless access point
A device that exchanges data between wireless computers or between wireless computers and wired computers on a network.

Wireless network name
Single identity for a group of computers that link together to form a wireless network

Wireless security
See WEP

Wires Only
See installation

WISP
A WISP is a Wireless Internet Service Provider. WISPS offer broadband services to business and residential customers utilizing radio-based point-to-multipoint networks. Many WISPs operate hybrid networks consisting of both wired and wireless infrastructure. Through their wireless deployments, traditional ISPs have been able to greatly expand their service offerings, their coverage areas, and their bottom line.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Networking)
A network that exclusively relies on wireless technology for device connections within a local network.

WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Networking)
An outdoor wireless Ethernet bridging solution that enables all types of organizations to easily and cost effectively establish reliable, high speed, secure wireless connectivity between multiple remote locations or as a connection to the Internet. It is a powerful and versatile wireless Ethernet bridge which provides reliable, cost effective, long range outdoor wireless links which are easy to install and manage, eliminating the expense of leased lines or fiber trenching. The wireless broadband system consists of access points and subscriber unit radios.

xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
A term used to generalize all of the different types of DSL.