Chapter 2
Backbone Computers that handle packet traffic along the Internet's main
routers connecting points; they can each handle more than 50 million packets
per second.
Bandwidth The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of
time. Also, the number of simultaneous site visitors that a Web site
can accommodate without degrading service.
Bluetooth A wireless standard that is used for short distances and lower
bandwidth connections.
Broadband Connections that operate at speeds of greater than about 200 Kbps.
Client/server A combination of client computers running Web client software and
architecture server computers running Web server software.
Computer Any technology that allows people to connect computers to each
network other.
Deep Web Information that is stored in databases and is accessible to users
through Web interfaces.
Domain name The address of a Web page, it can contain two or more word groups
separated by periods. Components of domain names become more
specific from right to left.
Download Also called downstream bandwidth or downlink bandwidth, a
bandwidth measure of the amount of information that can travel from the
Internet to a user in a given amount of time.
E-mail client
Programs used to read and send e-mail.
software
E-mail server A computer that is devoted to handling e-mail.
Electronic mail Messages that are exchanged among users using particular mail
(e-mail) programs and protocols.
Encapsulation The process that occurs when VPN software encrypts packet contents
and then places the encrypted packets inside an IP wrapper in
another packet.
Extranet A network system that extends a company's intranet and allows it to
connect with the networks of business partners or other designated
associates.
Generic top-
The main top-level domain names, including .com, .net, .edu, .gov,
level domain
.mil, .us, and .org.
(gTLD)
Graphical user Computer program control functions that are displayed using
interface (GUI) pictures, icons, and other easy-to-use graphical elements.
Home page In a hierarchical Web page structure, the introductory page of a Web
site. Synonymous with start page.
Hot spot A wireless access point (WAP) that is open to the public.
Hyperlink A type of tag that points to another location within the same or
another HTML document. Also called a hypertext link.
Hypertext
Transfer The Internet protocol responsible for transferring and displaying
Protocol Web pages.
(HTTP)
Internet Routers that handle packet traffic along the Internet's main
backbone connecting points.
Internet Within TCP/IP, the protocol that determines the routing of data
Protocol (IP) packets. See TCP/IP.
Internet service
A company that sells Internet access rights directly to Internet users.
provider (ISP)
Internet, A global system of interconnected computer networks. An internet
internet (small "i") is a group of computer networks that have been
interconnected.
Internet2 A successor to the Internet used for conducting research; it offers
bandwidths in excess of 1 Gbps.
Intranet An interconnected network of computers operated within a single
company or organization.
IP address The 32-bit number that represents the address of a particular location
(computer) on the Internet.
Leased line A permanent telephone connection between two points; it is always
active.
Local area A network that connects workstations and PCs within a single
network (LAN) physical location.
Mailing list An e-mail address that forwards messages to certain users who are
subscribers.
Network access The few large companies that are the primary providers of Internet
providers access; they, in turn, sell Internet access to smaller Internet service
providers.
Newsgroup A topic area in Usenet where people read and post articles.
Open The philosophy behind the Internet that dictates that independent
architecture of networks should not require any internal changes to be connected to
the Internet the network, packets that do not arrive at their destinations must be
retransmitted from their source network, routers do not retain
information about the packets they handle, and no global control
exists over the network.
Packet- A network in which packets are labeled electronically with their
switched origin, sequence, and destination addresses. Packets travel from
computer to computer along the interconnected networks until they
reach their destination. Each packet can take a different path through
the interconnected networks, and the packets may arrive out of
order. The destination computer collects the packets and reassembles
the original file or e-mail message from the pieces in each packet.
Packets The small pieces of files and e-mail messages that travel over the
Internet.
Private IP A series of IP numbers that have been set aside for subnet use and
addresses are not permitted on packets that travel on the Internet.
Private A private, leased-line connection between two companies that
network physically links their individual computers or intranets.
Protocol A collection of rules for formatting, ordering, and error-checking
data sent across a network.
Public network An extranet that allows the public to access its intranet or when two
or more companies link their intranets.
Roaming The shifting of Wi-Fi devices from one WAP to another without
requiring intervention by the user.
Router A computer that determines the best way for data packets to move
forward to their destination.
Router
The computers that decide how best to forward each packet of
computers
information as it travels on the Internet to its destination.
(routing
Synonymous with gateway computers and routers.
computers)
Start page In a hierarchical Web page structure, the introductory page of a
Website. Synonymous with home page.
TCP/IP The set of protocols that provide the basis for the operation of the
Internet. The TCP protocol includes rules that computers on a
network use to establish and break connections. The IP protocol
determines routing of data packets.
Transmission
The protocol that includes rules that computers on a network use to
Control
establish and break connections. See TCP/IP.
Protocol
Uniform Names and abbreviations representing the IP address of a particular
Resource Web page. Contains the protocol used to access the page and the
Locator (URL) page's location. Used in place of dotted quad notations.
Virtual private A network that uses public networks and their protocols to transmit
network (VPN) sensitive data using a system called "tunneling" or "encapsulation."
Web See World Wide Web.
Web browser
Software that lets users read HTML documents and move from one
(Web browser
HTML document to another using hyperlinks.
software)
Web client A computer that is connected to the Internet and is used to download
computer Web pages.
Web client
Software that sends requests for Web page files to other computers.
software
Web server A computer that receives requests from many different Web clients
and responds by sending HTML files back to those Web client
computers.
Web server Software that makes files available to other computers on the
software Internet.
Wide area
network A network of computers that are connected over large distances.
(WAN)
World Wide The subset of Internet computers that connects computers and their
Web (Web) contents in a specific way, and that allows for easy sharing of data
using a standard interface.