Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. Newer network standard developed by IEEE that specifies how wireless devices communicate over the air in a wide area. See also WiMAX.
Short for Asynchronous Transfer Mode; service that carries voice, data, video, and multimedia at very high speeds.
The amount of data, instructions, and information that can travel over a communications channel.
Network standard, specifically a protocol, that defines how two Bluetooth devices use short-range radio waves to transmit data.
Wireless transmission medium that distributes radio signals through the air over long distances such as between cities, regions, and countries and short distances such as within an office or home.
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Type of network topology in which a single central cable connects all computers and other devices.
Digital modem that sends and receives digital data over the cable television (CATV) network. Also called a broadband modem.
Form of broadcast radio that is used widely for mobile communications, specifically wireless modems and cellular telephones.
Network in which one or more computers act as a server, and the other computers on the network request services from the server.
A single copper wire surrounded by at least three layers: (1) an insulating material, (2) a woven or braided metal, and (3) a plastic outer coating. See also coax.
Software that includes tools that enable users to share documents via online meetings and communicate with other connected users.
Process in which two or more computers or devices transfer data, instructions, and information.
Any type of hardware capable of transmitting data, instructions, and information between a sending device and a receiving device.
Space station that receives microwave signals from an earth-based station, amplifies (strengthens) the signals, and broadcasts the signals back over a wide area to any number of earth-based stations.
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Programs that (1) help users establish a connection to another computer or network; (2) manage thetransmission of data, instructions, and information; and (3) provide an interface for users to communicate with one another.
Coffee house, restaurant, or other location that provides personal computers with Internet access to its customers.
Type of always-on connection that is established between two communications devices (unlike a dial-up line where the connection is reestablished each time it is used).
Communications device that can convert digital signals to analog signals and analog signals to digital signals, so that data can travel along an analog telephone line
Communications device that sends and receives data and information to and from a digital line.
document management system
System for storage and management of a company's documents, such as word processing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
Type of digital technology that provides high-speed Internet connections using regular copper telephone lines.
Modem that sends digital data and information from a computer to a DSL line and receives digital data and information from a DSL line.
Network standard that specifies no central computer or device on the network should control when data can be transmitted.
fiber optic cable
Dozens or hundreds of thin strands of glass or plastic that use light to transmit signals.
Fiber to the Premises(FTTP)
Dedicated line that uses fiber-optic cable to provide extremely high-speed Internet access to a user's physical permanent location.
global positioning system(GPS)
Navigation system that consists of one or more earth-based receivers that accept and analyze signals sent by satellites in order to determine the receiver's geographic location.
Software that helps groups of people work together on projects and share information over a network.
Modem that sends digital data and information from a computer to an ISDN line and receives digital data and information from an ISDN line.
Local Area Network(LAN)
Network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area such as a home, school computer laboratory, office building, or closely positioned group of buildings.
metropolitan area network (MAN)
High-speed network that connects local area networks in a metropolitan area such as a city or town and handles the bulk of communications activity across that region.
Collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and transmission media, allowing computers to share resources.
Communications device that enables a computer or device that does not have built-in networking capability to access a network.
Type of peer-to-peer network on which users access each other's hard disks and exchange files directly over the Internet. See also file sharing network.
Wireless messaging service that allows users to send pictures and sound files, as well as short text messages to a phone, a computer, or other mobile device.
Type of network topology in which a cable forms a closed loop (ring) with all computers and devices arranged along the ring.
Communications device that connects multiple computers or other routers together and transmits data to its correct destination on a network.
Computer that controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information. See also host computer.
Type of network topology in which all computers and devices on the network connect to a central device, thus forming a star.
Any of several types of long-distance digital telephone lines that carry multiple signals over a single communications line
Short for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol; network standard, specifically a protocol, that defines how messages (data) are routed from one end of a network to the other, ensuring the data arrives correctly.
Service that allows users to send and receive short text messages on a phone or other mobile device. Also called SMS (short message service).
Network standard in which computers and devices on the network share or pass a special signal, called a token, in a unidirectional manner and in a preset order.
Materials or substances capable of carrying one or more signals in a communications channel.
twisted pair cable
Transmission media that consists of one or more twisted-pair wires bundled together.
Network standard that specifies how two UWB devicesuse short-range radio waves to communicate at high speeds with each other.
value added network(VAN)
Third-party business that provides networking servicessuch as secure data and information transfer, storage, e-mail, and management reports.
Wireless messaging service that allows users to send short video clips, usually about 15 seconds, in addition to all picture messaging services
visual voice mail
Voice mail feature that allows users to view message details such as the length of calls and, in some cases, read message contents instead of listening to them.
Service that functions much like an answering machine, allowing a user to leave a voice message for one or more people.
Set of software technologies that allows businesses to create products and B2B (business-to-business) interactions over the Internet.
wide area network(WAN)
Network that covers a large geographic area (such as a city, country, or the world) using a communications channel that combines many types of media such as telephone lines, cables, and radio waves.
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. Newer network standard developed by IEEE that specifies how wireless devices communicate over the air in a wide area. See also 802.16.
Wireless application protocol(WAP)
Network standard, specifically a protocol, that specifies how some wireless mobile devices such as smart phones can display the content of Internet services such as the Web, e-mail, and chat rooms.
Wireless internet accsess point
Location where people can connect wirelessly to the Internet using mobile computers, smart phones, handheld game consoles, or other devices.