NETWORK+ Terms O-P's Flashcards
The main computer program that manages and integrates all the applications running on a computer. The OS handles all interactions with the processor.
OS (operating system)
A seven-layer
model created by the ISO to standardize
and explain the interactions
of networking protocols.
OSI (Open Systems Interconnect)
reference model
A
link-state routing protocol used on
TCP/IP networks. Compare with
distance-vector routing.
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)
A tool used to locate problems
with optical media, such as
cable breaks.
OTDR
A packet refers to a unit of
data that travels in communication
networks.
packet
A firewall method in which each packet that attempts to pass through the firewall is examined to determine its contents. The packet is then allowed to pass, or it is blocked, as appropriate.
packet filtering
A device or application that enables data to be copied from the network and analyzed. In legitimate applications, it is a useful network troubleshooting tool.
packet sniffer
A network layout whereby devices work together in close proximity to share information and services, commonly using technologies such as Bluetooth or infrared.
PAN (personal area network)
A simple authentication protocol in which the username and password are sent to the remoteaccess server in clear text, making it possible for anyone listening to network traffic to steal both. PAP typically is used only when connecting to older UNIX-based remote-access servers that do not support any additional authentication protocols.
PAP (Password Authentication
Protocol)
A hub that has no
power and therefore does not regenerate
the signals it receives.
Compare with active hub
passive hub
A set of characters used with a username to authenticate a user on a network and to provide the user with rights and permissions to files and resources.
password
A variation on NAT (Network Address Translation). With PAT, all systems on the LAN are translated into the same IP address, but with a different port number assignment. See also NAT.
PAT (Port Address Translation)
A fix for a bug in a software application. Patches can be downloaded from the Internet to correct errors or security problems in software applications.
patch
A cable, normally twisted pair, used to connect two devices. Strictly speaking, a patch cable is the cable that connects a port on a hub or switch to the patch panel, but today people commonly use the term to refer to any cable connection.
patch cable
A device in which the cables used in coaxial or twisted-pair networks converge and are connected. The patch panel is usually in a central location.
patch panel
A network environment that does not have dedicated servers, where communication occurs between similarly capable network nodes that act as both clients and servers.
peer-to-peer networking
Authorization provided to users that allows them to access objects on a network. Network administrators generally assign permissions. Permissions are slightly different from but often used with rights.
permissions
The MAC address on every NIC. The physical address is applied to a NIC by the manufacturer. Except for rare occurrences, it is never changed.
physical address
Layer 1 of the OSI
model, where all physical connectivity
is defined.
physical layer
A diagram that displays the physical layout of a network including placement of systems and all network cabling.
physical network diagram
The actual physical layout of the network. Common physical topologies include star, bus, and ring. Compare with logical topology
physical topology
A TCP/IP stack utility that
works with ICMP and that uses
echo requests and replies to test
connectivity to other systems
ping
A collection of software, standards, and policies combined to enable users from the Internet or other unsecured public networks to securely exchange data. PKI uses a public and private cryptographic key pair obtained and shared through a trusted authority.
PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)
The space between the structural ceiling and a drop-down ceiling. It is commonly used for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and to run network cables.
plenum
An architecture designed to enable the operating system to detect hardware devices and for the driver to be automatically loaded and configured.
plug and play
A technology that enables electrical power to be transmitted over twisted- pair Ethernet cable. The power is transferred, along with data, to provide power to remote devices.
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
A wireless connection designed to link multiple wired networks. Signals in point-to-multipoint networks travel from a central node such as a base station of a cellular system, an access point of a WLAN, or a satellite.
point-to-multipoint (PtMP)
Refers to a wireless topology configuration. It identifies the communication link from one node directly to one other node. Wireless point-to-point systems are often used in wireless backbone systems such as microwave relay communications, or as a replacement for a single wired communication cable.
point-to-point (PtP)
Policies refer to an organization’s documented rules regarding what is to be done, or not done, and why. Network procedures differ from policies in that they identify the way in which tasks are to be performed.
policies and procedures
The media access method for transmitting data in which a controlling device is used to contact each node to determine whether it has data to send
polling
A protocol that is part of the TCP/IP suite used to retrieve mail stored on a remote server. The most commonly used version of POP is POP3. POP is an application layer protocol.
POP3 (Post Office Protocol version
3)
In physical networking terms, a pathway on a networking device that enables other devices to be connected. In software terms, a port is the entry point into an application, a system, or a protocol stack.
port
A process by which two ports on a device, such as a switch, are configured to receive the same information. Port mirroring is useful in troubleshooting scenarios.
port mirroring
The current analog public telephone
system. See also PSTN.
POTS (plain old telephone system)
A common dialup networking protocol that includes provisions for security and protocol negotiation. Provides host-to-network and switch-toswitch connections for one or more user sessions.
PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)
An Internet connection authentication protocol that uses two separate technologies, Ethernet and PPP, to provide a method for multiple users to share a common Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable modem, or wireless connection to the Internet.
PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over
Ethernet)
A protocol that encapsulates private network data in IP packets. These packets are transmitted over synchronous and asynchronous circuits to hide the Internet’s underlying routing and switching infrastructure from both senders and receivers.
PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling
Protocol)
Layer 6 of the
OSI model, which prepares information
to be used by the application
layer.
presentation layer
A high-level network interface standard for use with ISDN. PRI is defined as having a rate of 1.544Mbps, and it consists of a single 64Kbps D channel plus 23 T1 B channels for voice or data. See also BRI and ISDN.
PRI (Primary Rate Interface)
The DNS
server that offers zone data from files
stored locally on the machine.
primary name server
A network to which access is limited, restricted, or controlled. Most corporate networks are private networks. Compare with public network.
private network
A standard or specification
created by a single manufacturer,
vendor, or other private enterprise.
proprietary
A set of rules or standards that control data transmission and other interactions between networks, computers, peripheral devices, and operating systems.
protocol
Protocol analyzers can be hardware- or software-based with their primary function being to analyze network protocols such as TCP, UPD, HTTP, FTP and more.
protocol analyzer
A device, application, or service that acts as an intermediary between two hosts on a network, eliminating the capability for direct communication.
proxy
A server that acts as a go-between for a workstation and the Internet. A proxy server typically provides an increased level of security, caching, NAT, and administrative control.
proxy server
A term that refers to all the telephone networks and services in the world. The same as POTS, PSTN refers to the world’s collection of interconnected public telephone networks that are both commercial- and government-owned. All the PSTN is digital, except the connection between local exchanges and customers (which is called the local loop or last mile), which remains analog.
PSTN (public switched telephone
network)
A network, such as the Internet, to which anyone can connect with the most minimal of restrictions. Compare with private network.
public network
A device used to connect network cables from equipment closets or rooms to other parts of a building. Connections to networking equipment such as hubs or switches are established from the punchdown block. Also used in telecommunications wiring to distribute phone cables to their respective locations throughout the building.
punchdown block
A hand tool that
enables the connection of twistedpair
wires to wiring equipment such
as a patch panel.
punchdown tool
A permanent dedicated virtual link shared in a Frame Relay network, replacing a hardwired dedicated end-to-end line.
PVC (permanent virtual circuit)
