| Converged
Network |
A single network with the capacity to carry a combination of
data, voice and video traffic |
| End
Devices |
A device that a person can use for communication purposes – for
example - a desktop computer, cell phone, PDA, laptop
etc |
|
Firewall |
A firewall prevents unauthorized access to or from a private
network. A firewall can be installed either via hardware or
software or a combination of both and it is designed to prevent and
filter unauthorised access via the internet to a private
network. |
| Hub |
A hub is a multi-port repeater. Whatever signal is received at
one interface of the hub is repeated out all the other interfaces
of the hub. Hubs vary in terms of the number of ports and
management issues. For security, control, and performance reasons,
most organizations have replaced hubs with switches. |
| IP
Address |
An identification number for a computer or device on a TCP/IP
network. Networks which use the TCP/IP protocol determine the
destination of a message based on the IP address. |
| LAN |
A local area network, where computers are geographically close
together (in the same office, building) |
|
Network |
A group of two or more computer systems linked together in
order to share information and resources. There are two main
categories of computer networks: LAN and WAN |
| Peer –to-Peer
Network |
In a peer-to-peer network, all workstations share their
resources, including internal hard drives and printers, with all
other workstations on the LAN. Each computer must share its
resources with the other computers on the LAN, which can slow the
response time to the local user, as the resources may be busy
supporting external users. |
| QoS |
Quality of Service is the ability to control the
characteristics of ongoing communication services. Service
providers use these control values to offer improved and possibly
contract levels of service. QoS is an end-to-end responsibility
that involves clients, switches, routers, and servers |
|
Router |
A router is an internetworking device commonly used to connect
different network types together. A router is custom configured for
the various networks that an organization supports (LANs and WANs).
Routers use software addressing systems, such as IP addressing, to
logically address data, allowing a packet of data to be addressed
and carried through several different layer 2 networks. |
| Routing
Protocols |
The routing protocol is the code configured and running on
routers. |
| |
- RIP: Routing Information Protocol
- OSPF: Open Shortest
Path First
- IGRP: Interior Gateway
Routing Protocol
- EIGRP: Enhanced
Interior Gateway Routing Protocol
- BGP: Border Gateway
Protocol
- IS-IS: Intermediate
System-to-Intermediate System
|
| Subnetting |
Subnetting divides a network into several subnetworks (or
subnets). All systems (for example, workstations, printers, server,
and routers) that exist in the subnet have common network and
subnet values, but each must have a unique interface portion of
their logical or IP address. |
| Switching |
A technology that offers a fast and easy way to physically
isolate segment network traffic for performance and security
reasons. Switches improve security by sending traffic only to the
addressed device. Many organizations use switches to replace
hubs to connect and now use switches as their intermediate device
of choice replacing almost all hubs and most routers. |
| Video over IP |
New video-compression capabilities like MPEG4 claim to squeeze
current
commercial, high quality video into DSL friendly range of about 1
Mbps. Combining this with 10Gbps Ethernet opens the ability
for each user to have access to a huge catalogue of on-demand video
offerings. The focus of converging voice and data will now
add video to the mix. The next generation network providers
will function as an information utility company, which will make
the shift from telecommunications to combined infrastructure,
service providing and content offering organizations. |
| VoIP |
Individuals inside and outside organizations can contact their
friends, coworkers, and customers using VOIP (Voice Over Internet
Protocol) capabilities everywhere that an IP network reaches.
Current network capabilities may be sufficient to use VOIP if
enough bandwidth is available to carry the voice traffic.
Companies are now looking at a VoIP network to combine both the
voice network (traditional telephone) and data network into one
common network for all communication |
| VPN |
A VPN is a form of communication over networks that are public
in ownership, but emulate a private network in terms of
security. |
| WAN |
A wide area network which connects LANs to each other and
offers the means to provide services and resources in multiple
locations. Most organizations rely on service providers for their
WANs. |
| WiMAX |
WiMAx is the new wireless broadband with a range of up to 80km,
with a bandwith of up to 75bps. It is the successor to
Wi-Fi. |
| Wireless Networks |
There are three basic methods to create a wireless network –
infrared, radio or laser. Infrared for local wire
replacements over small distances (mouse to PC). Laser
technology offers much greater capability for distance and speed.
In networking, lasers typically bridge two network segments between
two separate buildings. Radio solutions are different for LAN
and WAN use. WANs use satellite and microwave portions of the radio
frequency spectrum. LANs use radios that operate in the free use
frequency ranges of the 2.4 GHz ISM |