Learning Center

802.11a

An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps and an operating frequency of 5 GHz.

802.11b

An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11 Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz.

802.11g

An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

802.11n

An IEEE wireless networking standard that significantly improves network throughput over previous standards, and offers backwards compatibility with 802.11b and 802.11g devices. 802.11n uses multiple receivers and transmitters, a technology known as MIMO (multiple input, multiple output).

Access Point

A device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless network.

Adapter

A device that adds network functionality to your PC or other device, such as a printserver.

Ad-hoc

A group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access point.

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

An encryption method that supports these key sizes: 128-bit, 192-bit, and 256-bit.

Backbone

The part of a network that connects most of the systems and networks together, and handles the most data.

Bandwidth

The transmission capacity of a given device or network.

Beacon Interval

Data transmitted on your wireless network that keeps the network synchronized.

Bit (Binary Digit)

The smallest unit of information on a machine.

Boot

To start a device and cause it to start executing instructions.

Bridge

A device that connects two different kinds of local networks, such as a wireless network to a wired Ethernet network.

Broadband

An always-on, fast Internet connection.

Browser

An application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the World Wide Web.

Buffer

A shared or assigned memory area that is used to support and coordinate different computing and networking activities so one isn't held up by the other.

Byte

A unit of data that is usually eight bits long.

Cable Modem

A device that connects a computer to the cable television network, which in turn connects to the Internet.

CSMA/CA(Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance)

A method of data transfer that is used to prevent data collisions.

CTS (Clear To Send)

A signal sent by a device to indicate that it is ready to receive data.

Daisy Chain

A method used to connect devices in a series, one after the other.

Database

A collection of data that is organized so that its contents can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.

DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System)

Allows the hosting of a website, FTP server, or email server with a fixed domain name (e.g., www.xyz.com) and a dynamic IP address.

Default Gateway

A device that forwards Internet traffic from your local area network.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

A protocol that lets one device on a local network, known as a DHCP server, assign temporary IP addresses to the other network devices, typically computers.

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

Removes the router's firewall protection from one PC, allowing it to be "seen" from the Internet.

DNS (Domain Name Server)

The IP address of your ISP's server, which translates the names of websites into IP addresses.

Domain

A specific name for a network of computers.

Download

To receive a file transmitted over a network.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

An always-on broadband connection over traditional phone lines.

DSSS (Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum)

Frequency transmission with a redundant bit pattern resulting in a lower probability of information being lost in transit.

DTIM (Delivery Traffic Indication Message)

A message included in data packets that can increase wireless efficiency.

Dual Band

Dual band technology can operate in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands which helps minimize interference.  Operation may be selectable (one band at a time) or simultaneous, doubling available wireless bandwidth and network capacity. 

Dynamic IP Address

A temporary IP address assigned by a DHCP server.

EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol)

A general authentication protocol used to control network access. Many specific authentication methods work within this framework.

EAP-PEAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol-Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol)

A mutual authentication method that uses a combination of digital certificates and another system, such as passwords.

EAP-TLS (Extensible Authentication Protocol-Transport Layer Security)

A mutual authentication method that uses digital certificates.

Encryption

Encryption is the manipulation of data to prevent accurate interpretation by all but those for whom the data is intended.

Entertainment Optimized Networking

Technology that prioritizes network traffic so that time-sensitive applications like HD video stream smoothly. Also known as Media Optimized Networking.

Ethernet

An IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common transmission medium.

Finger

A program that tells you the name associated with an email address.

Firewall

A firewall is a security scheme that prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to a computer network or that monitor transfers of information to and from the network.

Firmware

The programming code that runs a networking device.

Fragmentation

Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

A standard protocol for sending files between computers over a TCP/IP network and the Internet.

Full Duplex

The ability of a networking device to receive and transmit data simultaneously.

Gateway

A device that interconnects networks with different, incompatible communications protocols.

Half Duplex

Data transmission that can occur in two directions over a single line, but only one direction at a time.

Hardware

The physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other information technology devices.

Hacker

A slang term for a computer enthusiast. Also refers to individuals who gain unauthorized access to computer systems for the purpose of stealing and corrupting data.

HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol)

The communications protocol used to connect to servers on the World Wide Web.

Hybrid Dual Band

Hybrid dual band work with Wireless-G in one radio band and Wireless-N in the other radio band.

IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)

An independent institute that develops networking standards.

Infrastructure

Currently installed computing and networking equipment.

Infrastructure Mode

Configuration in which a wireless network is bridged to a wired network via an access point.

IP (Internet Protocol)

A protocol used to send data over a network.

IP Address

The address used to identify a computer or device on a network.

IPCONFIG

A Windows 2000 and XP utility that displays the IP address for a particular networking device.

IPSec (Internet Protocol Security)

A VPN protocol used to implement secure exchange of packets at the IP layer.

ISM band

Radio bandwidth utilized in wireless transmissions.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

A company that provides access to the Internet.

LAN (Local Area Network)

The computers and networking products that make up the network in your home or office.

LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol)

A mutual authentication method that uses a username and password system.

LELA (Linksys EasyLink Advisor)

LELA is an application that provides an easy way to set up, view, manage, and repair your network.

MAC (Media Access Control) Address

A MAC address is the hardware address of a device connected to a shared network medium.

Mac OS X

The computer operating system developed by Apple, and is used by all Macintosh computers.

Mbps (Megabits Per Second)

One million bits per second; a unit of measurement for data transmission.

Media Extender

A media extender streams digital media files (video, music, photos) stored from the computer to a home entertainment device such as a TV, stereo, or home theater system.

Media Hub

A device that receives digital media content (especially digital music collections) streamed from a computer to a stereo or home theater system.

Media Optimized Networking

Technology that prioritizes network traffic so that time-sensitive applications like HD video stream smoothly. Also known as Entertainment Optimized Networking.

Media Server

A media server is a computer or hardware device that stores and shares digital media files such as video, music, and photos.

MIMO

MIMO, or multiple-input and multiple-output, is radio technology that utilizes multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to improve range and performance.

mIRC

An Internet Relay Chat program that runs under Windows.

Multicasting

Sending data to a group of destinations at once.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

NAT technology translates IP addresses of the local area network to a different IP address for the Internet.

NAT (Network Address Translation) Traversal

A method of enabling specialized applications, such as Internet phone calls, video, and audio, to travel between your local network and the Internet. STUN is a specific type of NAT traversal.

Network

A series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission between users.

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Data storage technology that can be connected directly to a computer network to provide centralized data access and storage to network clients.

Network Storage System (NSS)

A network storage system organizes and saves data in an accessible and efficient manner. Ideal for storing, backing up, sharing, and archiving critical files.

NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol)

The protocol used to connect to Usenet groups on the Internet.

Node

A network junction or connection point, typically a computer or work station.

OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)

Frequency transmission that separates the data stream into a number of lower-speed data streams, which are then transmitted in parallel to prevent information from being lost in transit.

Packet

A unit of data transmitted over a network.

Passphrase

Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the WEP encryption process by automatically generating the WEP encryption keys for Linksys products.

PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol)

A protocol for transmitting authentication data, including passwords, over 802.11 wireless networks.

Ping (Packet INternet Groper)

An Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP address is online.

PoE (Power over Ethernet)

A technology enabling an Ethernet network cable to deliver both data and power.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3)

A standard protocol used to retrieve email stored on a mail server.

Port

The connection point on a computer or networking device used for plugging in a cable or an adapter.

PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet)

A type of broadband connection that provides authentication (username and password) in addition to data transport.

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)

A VPN protocol that allows the Point to Point Protocol (PPP) to be tunneled through an IP network. This protocol is also used as a type of broadband connection in Europe.

Preamble

Part of the wireless signal that synchronizes network traffic.

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service)

A protocol that uses an authentication server to control network access.

RJ-45 (Registered Jack-45)

An Ethernet connector that holds up to eight wires.

Roaming

The ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection.

Router

A networking device that connects multiple networks together, such as a local network and the Internet.

RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol)

A protocol that enables specialized applications, such as Internet phone calls, video, and audio to occur in real time.

RTS (Request To Send)

A networking method of coordinating large packets through the RTS Threshold setting.

Selectable Dual Band

Selectable dual band works in either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio bands, but not at the same time.

Server

Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications, and other services.

Simultaneous Dual-N Band

Simultaneous dual-N band technology operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands at the same time, at Wireless-N speeds, doubling available wireless bandwidth and network capacity.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

The standard email protocol on the Internet.

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

A widely used network monitoring and control protocol.

Software

Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a "program".

SOHO (Small Office/Home Office)

Market segment of professionals who work at home or in small offices.

SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall

A technology that inspects incoming packets of information before allowing them to enter the network.

Spread Spectrum

Wideband radio frequency technique used for more reliable and secure data transmission.

SSID (Service Set IDentifier)

Your wireless network's name.

Static IP Address

A fixed address assigned to a computer or device that is connected to a network.

Static Routing

Forwarding data in a network via a fixed path.

Subnet Mask

An address code that determines the size of the network.

Switch

1. A device that is the central point of connection for computers and other devices in a network, so data can be shared at full transmission speeds.
2. A device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

A network protocol for transmitting data that requires acknowledgement from the recipient of data sent.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

A network protocol for transmitting data that requires acknowledgement from the recipient of data sent.

Telnet

A user command and TCP/IP protocol used for accessing remote PCs.

Throughput

The amount of data moved successfully from one node to another in a given time period.

TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol)

A version of the TCP/IP FTP protocol that uses UDP and has no directory or password capability.

TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)

A wireless encryption protocol that periodically changes the encryption key, making it harder to decode.

TLS (Transport Layer Security)

Is a protocol that guarantees privacy and data integrity between client/server applications communicating over the Internet.

Topology

The physical layout of a network.

TX Rate

Transmission Rate.

UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

A network protocol for transmitting data that does not require acknowledgement from the recipient of the data that is sent.

Upgrade

To replace existing software or firmware with a newer version.

Upload

To transmit a file over a network.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

The address of a file located on the Internet.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A security measure to protect data as it leaves one network and goes to another over the Internet.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A group of networked computers in a large geographical area. The best example of a WAN is the Internet.

WEP (Wired Equivalency Privacy)

WEP is a security protocol for wireless networks. WEP aims to provide security by encrypting data over radio waves so that it is protected as it is transmitted from one end point to another. A shared key (similar to a password) is used to allow communication between the computers and the router. WEP offers a basic, but satisfactory level of security for wireless data transmission.

WINIPCFG

Windows 98 and Me utility that displays the IP address for a particular networking device.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)

A group of computers and associated devices that communicate with each other wirelessly.

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)

A security protocol for wireless networks that builds on the basic foundations of WEP. It secures wireless data transmission by using a key similar to WEP, but the added strength of WPA is that the key changes dynamically. The changing key makes it much more difficult for a hacker to learn the key and gain access to the network.

WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2)

WPA2 is the second generation of WPA security and provides a stronger encryption mechanism through Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is a requirement for some government users.

WPA-Personal

A version of WPA that uses long and constantly changing encryption keys to make them difficult to decode.

WPA-Enterprise

A version of WPA that uses the same dynamic keys as WPA-Personal and also requires each wireless device to be authorized according to a master list held in a special authentication server.