Listed below are a few basic terms which will help you in understanding
more about your cable modem.
|
Analog Modem
|
An analog modem is a device
that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone lines
(e.g. 28.8Kbps [kilobits per second] and 56Kbps). Computer information
is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone
lines is transmitted in the form of analog waves. Analog modems
translate data from digital to analog and back. The fastest
analog modems run at 57,600 bps.
|
|
Bandwidth
|
The amount of information
transmitted over the Internet at a given instant. Essentially,
the size of the pipe.
|
|
Bit
|
Short for 'binary digit,'
the smallest, most basic unit of computer data. It's like an
atom of information, having two possible states--positive and
negative, often defined as 'on and off', or 'one and zero.'
|
|
bps
(bits per second)
Bps
(bytes per second)
|
The speed at which
data is transferred over a network line, defined in bits or
bytes. |
|
Browser
|
A browser is the
application, which serves as your interface with the Internet.
Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are the two
most common. |
|
Byte
|
Technically equal
to 8 bits, one Byte of data is the standard unit of measure
on the Internet. As Town ISP transfers data to the cable modem
via broadband technology, some of the data is lost in what is
known as "Overhead". Due to the loss in overhead,
every 10 bits of data transferred equates to 1 Byte. So, if
your display read "43 bits per second", you would
be receiving 4.3 bytes of data per second.
|
|
Cache
|
Pronounced cash.
It's the location in your computer's memory, or in an independent
storage device, reserved for easy, high speed retrieval of information,
known as cache hits. Cache effectiveness is defined by hit rate.
Many systems use 'smart caches,' which recognize and readily
supply frequently used data.
|
|
Chat
|
Real-time communication
between multiple users over the Internet. Like a party line
or conference call using text instead of conversation. The text
appears as it is typed on all PCs participating in the chat.
Internet chat occurs in 'chat rooms,' which are usually set
up by specific sites for users with a common interest.
|
|
DHCP
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
|
Software that automatically assigns IP addresses to client
stations logging onto a TCP/IP network. It eliminates having
to manually assign permanent IP addresses. DHCP software typically
runs in servers and is also found in network devices such as
ISDN routers and modem routers that allow multiple users access
to the Internet. Newer DHCP servers dynamically update the DNS
servers after making assignments.
|
|
Domain Name
|
The alphabetic address for a web site, usually beginning
with the prefix 'www' (for 'world wide web'), and ending with
'html' (the programming language). The domain name usually
contains an identifying name, such as that of a company; a
suffix which defines the type of organization; and titles
defining the descending layers of a site, narrowing down to
a specific page.
For example:
www.animals.com/mammals/primates/humans/Bill.html
www.universe.net/planets/earth/northamerica/usa.html
www.california.gov/DMV/registration/motorcycle/info.html
|
|
The suffix describes the type of organization, standardized
as follows: |
|
com
|
company |
|
edu
|
educational |
|
org
|
non-profit |
|
gov
|
government |
|
mil
|
military |
|
net
|
network changeover
path |
|
XX
|
two letter country
codes (e.g. United Kingdom = uk) |
