Bandwidth
The amount of data transmitted in a given amount of time; usually measured in bits per second, kilobits per second, and megabits per second.

Bit
A single unit of data, either a one or a zero. In the world of broadband, bits are used to refer to the amount of transmitted data. A kilobit (kb) is approximately 1000 bits. A megabit (Mb) is approximately 1,000,000 bits.

Bottleneck
Occurs when data passes through a port at a slower speed than the actual data transmission.

Broadband / high speed
Generally referred to as an internet connection faster then 128 kbps. Dial-up at best is 56 kbps, so just over twice as fast as Dial-up and you are entering broadband territory.

Byte
8 bits. A kilobyte (KB) is approximately 1000 bytes. A megabyte (MB) is approximately 1,000,000 bytes. Bytes are usually used to refer to the size of files stored on a computer's hard drive.

DHCP
Short for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a protocol for assigning dynamic IP addresses to devices on a network. With dynamic addressing, a device can have a different IP address every time it connects to the network. In some systems, the device's IP address can even change while it is still connected.

Downstream or Download Speed
Data flowing from the Internet to your computer (Surfing the net, getting E-mail, downloading a file).

Encrypted
Data (computerized information) is scrambled in order to prevent unauthorized access.

Ethernet
A protocol developed in the 1970's that supports LAN's (Local Area Networks). Ethernet is capable of 10 mbps data transmissions, and "fast ethernet" is capable of 100 mbps.

Gigabit (Gb)
A Gigabit (Gb) is (1) when used to describe data storage, 1,024 megabits (2) When used to describe data transfer rates, it refers to 10 to the 9th power (1,000,000,000) bits

Gigabyte (GB)
A Gigabyte (GB) is 2 to the 30th power (1,073,741,824) bytes. One gigabyte is equal to 1,024 megabytes. Gigabyte is often shortened to GB.

IP Address
A unique numerical address for every computer that is connected to the Internet. If a computer has a static IP address, its IP address is always the same. If a computer has a dynamic IP address, its IP address is assigned by the ISP whenever the computer logs on. A static IP address is required to run a web server.

IP Assignment
IP assignment is how your computer gets an IP address from your Internet Service Provider, DHCP, Static IP, or PPPoE are generally used.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A company providing Internet access to consumers and businesses.

Kilobit (Kb)
A kilobit is 1,024 bits for technical purposes, transfer rates are measured in kilobits per second, abbreviated as Kbps, and count a kilo as 1,000 bits.

Kilobyte (KB)
A kilobyte is 1,024 bytes, but it is often used loosely as a synonym for 1,000 bytes. Data transfer rates are measured in kilobytes per second, abbreviated as KBps, and count a kilo as 1,000 bytes.

LAN (Local Area Network)
A group of computers sharing resources (files, printer, Internet access). Usually, LAN's are set up using Ethernet cards and cable.

Latency
Latency is also referred to as ping time, it is the time it will take a single packet of data to travel to a remote server, and return. Latency improves in proportion to line speed, (and faster speeds provide more bandwidth). Although, with a sufficiently small packet, the ping time is more a function of the number of hops between you and the remote server, congestion on the way, and so on. On a modem, ping time to your first hop (usually your ISP modem rack), is no better than 100ms (1/10th of a second). With larger packets, say, 2K, this could be around 1000ms (1 second) or more. Players of any internet interactive games know that latency is a key factor in deciding which game to join and how well it will play.

Megabit (Mb)
(1) when used to describe data storage, 1,024 kilobits (2) When used to describe data transfer rates, it refers to one million bits. Transfer rates are often measured in megabits per second, abbreviated as Mbps.

Megabyte (MB)
(1) When used to describe data storage, 1,048,576 (2 to the 20th power) bytes Megabyte is frequently abbreviated as MB. (2) When used to describe data transfer rates, as in MBps, it refers to one million bytes.

Network
A group of two or more computer systems linked together. There are many types of computer networks, including:

Local-area networks (LANs)
The computers are geographically close together (that is, in the same building).

Wide-area networks (WANs)
The computers are farther apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves.

Campus-area networks (CANs)
The computers are within a limited geographic area, such as a campus or military base.

Metropolitan-area networks (MANs)
A data network designed for a town or city.

Home-area networks (HANs)
A network contained within a user's home that connects a person's digital devices.

Network Card
An internal card on a computer which allows the computer to be connected to a network. Also known as 10Base-T card, Network Interface Card (NIC), or Ethernet card.

Point to Point (P2P)
We use this term for any connection that is from one point to another, such as a T1, DS3, and OC3 etc. These are typically used for business connections and are generally more expensive then residential services.

PPPoE
Short for Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet, PPPoE relies on two widely accepted standards: PPP and Ethernet. PPPoE is a protocol that allows users to log on and off from their high speed or broadband internet connection.

Satellite
It is possible to get Internet access via low level orbiting satellites, like those that provide TV services. You get a Satellite connection for your internet service, but you also need a dial-up modem to use the service. To view websites or send email you need to send a request to that server to send you the information and to send information you typically need to use dial-up service with a satellite Internet service and is considered high speed or broadband Internet access. Latency is also very high.

Serial Port
The 9 or 25 pin ports on PC's that are used for connecting external devices to the computer, such as modems; also known as COM ports.

Static IP
An address on your network that never changes. Static IP Addresses are obtained from ISP's.

Upstream or Upload Speed
Data flowing from your computer to the Internet (sending E-mail, uploading a file).

USB (Universal Serial Bus)
A way of connecting devices to a computer. One USB controller (2 ports) can support up to 127 devices. USB can transmit data up to 12 megabits per second, and it is a true plug and play interface. Windows 98 Second Edition and Macintosh OS 8.5.3 both support USB.

WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider)
A company that provides Internet access with a wireless connection to your home or building.

Wireless
It is possible to get Internet access via wireless options, think of a cordless phone or a cell phone. It works the same way and is considered high speed or broadband Internet access.