Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
A high speed connection oriented switching and multiplexing technology that uses 53 byte cells (5 byte header, 48 byte payload) to transmit different types of traffic simultaneously, including voice, video and data. It is asynchronous in that information streams can be sent independently without a common clock.(Data Communications, Dec 1994)

Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1)
The OSI language for describing abstract entities by using macros that build on simpler entities. Standard that defines a grammar used to write textual descriptions of messages.

Client/Server Architecture
distributed computing environment where one or more server computers provide access to data from one or more client computers

computer network
collection of two or more computers connected together for the purpose of sharing resources and improving communications

domain name
Name corresponding to an IP address (ex. frodo.nmhu.edu), often referred to as hostname

DNS (Domain Name System) server
resolves domain names to IP addresses

DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. Used to dynamically assign IP addresses.

Ethernet (IEEE 802.3)
A local area network technology that transmits information between computers at speeds of 10, 100 million, and 1000 bits per second (Mbps).

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Fiber Distributed Data Interface(FDDI)
High speed fiber optic data lines used to connect LANs.

file transfer protocol (FTP)
Allows a user on any computer to get files from another computer, or to send files to another computer.

FRAD
Frame Relay Access Device

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
language for creating "web" documents

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
a set of rules for transferring documents across the Internet

Internet
worldwide collection of computers and computer networks

Internet gateway
network device needed to connect to the Internet; usually a router

IP address
Internet address in the form of four period-delimited octets of numerals (ex. 192.132.89.65)

IPX/SPX(internetwork packet exchange/sequenced packet exchange)
IPX - datagram-oriented protocol used for file-redirection; SPX - session-level, connection-oriented protocol [used in Novell Netware networks]

ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network - A switched digital transmission service provided by a local telco's switching office. Uses same copper as analog service so is practical for home, small office, school applications. Available in BRI (2 64Kb data channels 1 signaling channel) or PRI (23 bearer(data/voice) channels

Local Area Network (LAN)
A privately owned data communications system that usually covers a limited territory, hence the term "local area."

modem
Modulator / Demodulator used for converting digital signals to analog for transmission across phone lines and then converting them back to digital.

NetBIOS Extended User Interface(NetBEUI)
The standard network transport protocol used by all of Microsoft's network systems and IBM's LAN Server based systems. NetBEUI allows the "shares' between machines. NetBIOS is the applications programming interface and NetBEUI is the transport protocol.

Network Device Interface Specification(NDIS)
Network device driver that allows different protocol to "share" the same hardware.

Network Interface Card (NIC)
Hardware device that provides physical connection between computer or other device and network.

OSI
OPEN SYSTEMS INTERCONNECTION

POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3)
standard for using mailboxes and forwarding mail message to a user's local computer.

Protocol
The formal set of rules on coding, formatting and timing of inputs and outputs between communicating devices.

remote login
The network terminal protocol (TELNET) allows a user to log in on any other computer on the network.

RFC (Request for Comments)
Set of recommendations that are widely distributed and usually become standards

SDH
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy

Simple Network Management Protocol(SNMP)
An application layer protocol that allows remote management of networked devices.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
transports a mail message across a TCP/IP-based network.

Token Ring(IEEE 802.5)
token passing LAN

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol(TCP/IP)
A set of protocols developed to allow cooperating computers to share resources across a network.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)
The use of a public network such as the Internet in place of private lines to transport internal corporate data such as intranet documents, groupware communications and email.

wide area network(WAN)
A data communications system that usually covers a large territory (i.e. the Internet)

WINS (Windows Internet Name Service) server
provides name resolution for computers on a Windows network.

WWW (World Wide Web)
collection of computers that share HTML documents using the TCP/IP and HTTP protocols

X.25
Packet protocol as specified by CITT. Used with T1/E1.

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