Chapter 6 Flashcards
Internet backbone
Network of high-capacity routers and fiber-optic communications links that provides the main routes for data traffic across the Internet
NSP
Network service provider; Maintain backbone links and routers
Network access points
Tie together NSP equipment and links
ISP
Internet service provider; offers Internet access to individuals, businesses, and smaller ISPs
Modem
Contains circuitry that converts the data-carrying signals from your computer to signals that can travel over various communications channels
TCP
Transmission Control Protocol; Creates packets and exchanges packets of data
IP
Internet Protocol; Provides devices with unique addresses
HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol; Exchanges information over the Web
FTP
File Transfer Protocol; Transfers files between local and remote host computers
VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol; Transmits voice conversations over the Internet
TCP/IP
Primary protocol suite responsible for message transmission on the Intenet
Protocol suite
Combination of protocols that work together
Static IP address
Permanently assigned IP address
Dynamic IP address
Temporarily assigned IP address
Always-on connection
Linked to your ISP and is online whenever your computer and modem are on, even if you are not actively accessing the Internet
FQDN
Fully qualified domain name, also known as a domain name
Domain name
Part of the addresses for servers that handle e-mail and Web sites
Top-level domain
The extension at the end of a domain name
Domain Name System (DNS)
A huge database in which every unique IP address corresponding to a domain name has been entered
DNS cache poisoning
When a domain name server is hacked and directs Internet users to a wrong or malicious Web site
ICANN
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers; Recognized as the global organization that coordinates technical management of the Internet’s Domain Name System
Latency
The elapsed time for data to make a round trip from point A to point B and back to point A
Ping
Packet Internet Groper; Sends a signal to a specific Internet address and waits for a reply
Traceroute
Utility that records a packet’s path in addition to its round-trip speed
Upstream speed
Rate of data that is uploaded from your computer to the Internet
Downstream speed
Rate of data downloaded to your computer
Asymmetric Internet connection
When upstream speeds differ from downstream speeds
Symmetric Internet connection
When upstream and downstream speeds are the same
Fixed Internet access
Links your computer to an ISP from a stationary point, such as a wall socket or roof-mounted antenna
Portable Internet access
Allows you to easily move your access device, as in the case of vehicle-mounted satellite dishes that can be deployed when the vehicle is parked
Mobile Internet access
Allows you to use the Internet as you are on the go, such as using a cell phone to collect your e-mail while you are traveling by train
Dial-up connection
A fixed internet connection that uses a voiceband modem and telephone lines to transport data between your computer and your ISP
Voiceband modem
(Modem) Converts the signals from your computer into audible analog signals that can travel over telephone lines
DSL
Digital subscriber line; A high-speed, digital, always-on, Internet access technology that runs over standard phone lines
DSL modem
A device that connects a computer to a telephone line and converts computer data signals into signals compatible with DSL
DSL filter
Prevents voiceband signals from interfering with DSL signals
Cable Internet service
A means of distributing always-on broadband Internet access over the same infrastructure that offers cable television service
Cable modem
Converts your computer’s signal into one that can travel over the CATV network
DOCSIS
Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification; Data transport technology that includes security filters
Satellite Internet service
Means of distributing always-on, high-speed asymmetric Internet access by broadcasting signals to and from a personal satellite dish
Satellite modem
A device that modulates that data signals from a computer into a frequency band that can be carried to the satellite dish, where it is converted to another frequency, amplified, and transmitted
Fixed wireless Internet service
(Wireless broadband service) Designed to offer Internet access to homes and businesses by broadcasting data signals over areas large enough to cover most cities and outlying areas
WiMAX
(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) An Ethernet-compatible network standard that offers an alternative to wired technologies
Wi-Fi hotspot
An area in which the public can access a Wi-Fi network that offers Internet service
1G
Analog; few features beyond voice communications
2G
Digital; Support for basic data transport in the form of text messages; Sending data required voiceband modem
3G
Support digital transmission for both voice and data
4G
Next step forward in mobile technology; Very fast
WAP
(Wireless Application Protocol) Communications protocol that provides Internet access from handheld devices, such as cell phones
Mobile broadband
Data services offered by cellular service providers for the real Internet (instead of WAP)
MiFi
Brand name for a compact, mobile, wireless router
Tethering
Ability to serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot (some cell phones)
Software as a service (SaaS)
Refers to a model in which consumers access applications from a cloud provider over the Internet, usually by using a browser
Real-time messaging system
Allows people to exchange short messages while they are online
Instant messaging (IM)
One-on-one messaging
Chat
Group communications
VoIP
(Voice over Internet Protocol) Technology in which a broadband Internet connection is used to place telephone calls instead of the regular phone system
Jitter
Measures the variability of packet latency
Packet loss
Refers to data that never reaches its destination or gets discarded because it arrives too late to be of any use
Synchronous communications
A system of communication in which the people communicating have to be online at the same time and the conversation happens in real time (IM, chat)
Asynchronous communications
One person posts a message using the Internet that can be read later by the recipients or public (Forums, wikis, blogs, tweets)
Internet forum
Web-based online discussion site where participants post comments to discussion threads
Wiki
Allows participants to modify posted material
Blog
Short for Web log; Similar to an online diary
Tweet
A short message of 140 characters or less that is posted to the Twitter Web site
Grid computing system
A network of computer harnessed together to perform processing tasks
FTP
File Transfer Protocol; Provides a way to transfer files from one computer to another over any TCP/IP network, such as a LAN or the Internet
FTP server
Resides on a computer containing files that remote users might want to access
FTP client
Offers an easy-to-use interface for accessing FTP servers
Anonymous FTP
Can be accessed by logging in without a password by using the user ID “anonymous”
P2P file sharing
Also known as “file sharing”; Allows users to obtain files from other users located anywhere on the Internet
BitTorrent
A file sharing protocol that distributes the role of a file server across a collection of dispersed computers
Intrusion
Any access to data or programs by hackers, criminals, or other unauthorized persons
Communications port
Doorway that allows a computer to exchange data with other devices
Port probe
(Port scan) The use of automated software to locate computers that have open ports and are vulnerable to unauthorized access
Firewall
Software or hardware designed to filter out suspicious packets attempting to enter or leave a computer
Routable IP address
One that can be accessed by packets on the Internet
Private IP address
A non-routable IP address that can be used within a LAN, but not for Internet data transport
Network address translation (NAT)
The process your router uses to keep track of packets and their corresponding private or public IP addresses
Virtual private network (VPN)
Offers security for that data that is transmitted from public Wi-Fi hotspots
