Technical terminology and acronyms
Access Point: An access point is one or more wireless radios that allow any user with a wireless computing device to log-on and access the internet.
Backbone: The primary connectivity mechanism of a hierarchical distributed system. All systems which have connectivity to an intermediate system on the backbone are assured of connectivity to each other. This does not prevent systems from setting up private arrangements with each other to bypass the backbone for reasons of cost, performance, or security.
Bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to how fast data flow through the path that it travels to your computer. It is usually measured in kilobits, megabits or gigabits per second.
Broadband: Broadband comes from the words "broad bandwidth" and is used to describe a high-capacity, two-way link between an end user and access network suppliers capable of supporting full-motion, interactive video applications.
LAN: Local Area Network. A data network intended to serve an area of only a few square kilometres or less. Because the network is known to cover only a small area, optimizations can be made in the network signal protocols that permit data rates up to 1000mb/s.
MAN: Metropolitan Area Network. A data network designed for a town or city. In terms of geographic breadth, MANs are larger than local-area networks (LANs), but smaller than wide-area networks (WANs). MANs are usually characterized by very high-speed connections using fibre optical cable or other digital media.
Mbps: Stands for Megabits per second, or millions of bits per second. This is a measurement of how much data can be transmitted through a connection. For example, 6.0 Mbps is 200 times faster than a 28.8 Kbps analogue modem.
Network: A computer network is a data communications system which interconnects computer systems at various different sites. A network may be composed of any combination of LANs or WANs.
Satellite: Refers to the type of broadband connection where information is sent from and arrives at a computer through satellite dishes.
Wireless: Refers to the type of broadband connection where information is sent form and arrives at a computer through transmission towers.
Intranet: Web technology in conjunction with a LAN to enable staff to share information, access databases and exchange documents and files. For many businesses, an intranet is an important step in streamlining and integrating internal businesses and processes.
Dark Fiber: A fiber-optic strand with no optical transmission equipment. Customers add their own equipment and build their own network, retaining complete control over all aspects of it.
Last Mile Connectivity: Refers to ground that the local provider will cover between the high speed connection at the door to the community and the user’s homes and businesses.
Latency: Time taken to deliver a packet from the source to the receiver. Includes propagation delay (the time taken for the electrical or optical signals to travel the distance between the two points) and processing delay. Due to the distance to a satellite and back (over 34,000km each way), the latency when communicating via a satellite connection is at least 270 milliseconds, making interactive services difficult, compared to a delay of about 10 milliseconds across Europe via fibre.
Local Loop: Originally, the pair of wires (loop) between the subscriber (to a telephone system) and the local telephone exchange (switch or office). Now used as a generic term to describe the connection between the last switch/routing point and the subscriber, no matter what technology is used to deliver the service, nor what service (voice, data etc.) is delivered.
Optical Fiber: A method of guiding light over long distances with very little reduction on strength (attenuation or loss). A central core of high-refractive index material - usually very pure glass - is covered with a cladding of lower refractive index material. Modern fibres have losses in the order of 0.25 dB/km, so 1 km of fibre has less loss than a pair of ordinary spectacles or reading glasses.
Packet: A block of data. The terms packet, frame, and datagram are often used interchangeably.
PoP: Point of Presence (or Access Node). A site where customers can connect into the backbone network.
VoIP: Voice over IP. The ability to carry Packetised voice over an IP-based Internet with POTS-like functionality, reliability and voice quality.
WAN: Wide Area Network. As distinct from Local Area Network. A WAN connects multiple LANs together. Typically an ISP or service provider provides the WAN into which a company will connect their LANs from each site.