Access Point (AP) - An access point (AP) for wireless Ethernet is a device that communicates with wireless Ethernet cards and wireless-enabled notebook computers or wireless enabled handheld devices to transmit data via radio signals. The access points used by HotSpot International are Wi-Fi-compliant and operate in the 2.4 Ghz radio band.

Association - Each access point (root unit or repeater) in the infrastructure contains an association table that controls the routing of packets between the access point and the wireless infrastructure. The association table maintains entries for all the nodes situated below the access point on the infrastructure including repeaters and client nodes.

Bandwidth - Bandwidth refers to the range of signal frequencies that can be carried on a communications channel, measured in Hertz (Hz). The concept of bandwidth is similar to a standard water pipe; bigger pipes can carry more water. The size of the pipe corresponds to the amount of bandwidth, meaning that the greater bandwidth you have (the greater the frequency range), the more information can be carried at one time. A T-1 line (E1 in Latin America) has data transfer rates in the range of 1.5 million bits per second (bps). A T-1 line is considered high bandwidth.

Bit - A binary unit of information that is the smallest measurement of the size of information in the computing and telecommunications industry.
Bits per second - A description of transmission speeds expressed in a variety of ways, such as bit(s) and "bps."

Bridge - A station that connects two wired networks together via a wireless network.

Broadband - Broadband is a type of Internet connection that includes leased lines such as T-1 lines, as well as DSL modems, cable modems, and wireless Ethernet. Broadband technology is an always-on connection to the Internet that frequently carries vast amounts of data. Broadband offers speeds at least 10 times faster than dial-up or cellular (CDPD) connections and doesn't require any type of dialing to connect.

Byte - A group of eight bits, which combine to represent a character or measurement of memory capacity. The speed reported by Web browsers (such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator) and FTP software is usually in bytes per second (Bps), often in kilobytes per second (kBps).

Client - Any computer that is requesting information from another computer connected to it through a network. A client computer can be thought of as a client in a restaurant ordering or requesting information from the server, or waiter/waitress. One computer can be both a client and a server; in fact, this frequently occurs. A program can also be referred to as a client, since it is what is actually requesting the information. An email program such as Microsoft Outlook Express is commonly referred to as an email client.

Client Workstation - A computer connected to a network. See also Wireless Ethernet Adapter.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A DHCP configurations on a client (end-user) computer enables individual computers on a network to obtain their configurations from a server (the 'DHCP server'). DHCP lets a network administrator supervise and distribute IP addresses from a central server that automatically sends a new IP address when a computer is connected to the network. This eliminates the need to assign each computer its own statically assigned IP address and makes more efficient use of a limited number of IP addresses. DHCP is the default configuration on most operating systems.

DNS (Domain Name Service) - This is the method by which a URL (such as www.HOTSPOT.net, for example) is converted to the IP address for the Web page that a person is trying to view. The computer actually uses the IP address, not the URL. A DNS server is required for a person to successfully browse the Web or send email. HOTSPOT provides a DNS server for the use of guests connected to the HOTSPOT service.

Download - To transfer a file, image, etc. to a client computer from a server.

Downstream - Any data that is moving toward a computer. Data that is being received by a computer is traveling downstream.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) - DSL is a common broadband connection. It assumes digital data does not require change into analog form and back. With a DSL modem, digital data is transmitted to a computer directly without conversion, which allows the telecommunications company to use a much wider bandwidth for transmitting it to their customer, resulting in higher maximum data transfer rates. Typical maximum data transfer rates are generally 384 Kbps for downloads and 128 Kbps for uploads. In various location it may be known as Speedy (Telefonica), ARNET (Telecom), Infinitum (Telmex)

Dynamic IP Address - A dynamic IP address is one that is not manually specified but rather automatically or dynamically configured by the DHCP server.

End Node - A client node that is located at the end of the Network Tree.

Ethernet - Ethernet (IEEE 802.3 and 802.11b) is the most commonly implemented Local Area Networking (LAN) technology for corporations. Ethernet can transmit data via radio frequencies or via a Cat. 5 cable at speeds up to 11Mbps for wireless and up to 100 Mbps for wired. An Ethernet network is a combination of computers with Ethernet network cards (wireless or wired), Cat. 5 cable, Ethernet switches, Access Points, and usually several servers of some sort. Some older Ethernet systems used coaxial cable (same as cable TV), and some newer Ethernet networks use fiber optics.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - FTP is a protocol that allows you to transfer files between any two computers on the Internet. FTP allows a user on any computer to get files from or send files to another computer. Security is handled by requiring the user to specify a user name and password for the other computer.

Firewall - A firewall is a method of intercepting packets (Internet information is transmitted in data packets) that pass through an interface, such as a modem or network card, and matching each packet with a rule that tells the computer to deny, allow, or log that packet. A firewall allows greater security from outside intrusion and can limit the types of connections that are allowable.

Gateway - A gateway on a network is the computer or router that is the connection point to the Internet. This is the device that usually has the dedicated line, such as a T-1 line, connected to it. If a computer has Internet access, it must have a gateway in its network configuration (unless a proxy server is being used).

HSIA (High-speed Internet access) - High-speed Internet access is usually defined as fractional T-1 speeds and above, which corresponds to data transfer rates of about 384 kpbs.
Infrastructure - The wireless infrastructure is the communications system that combines access points, mobile nodes and fixed nodes. Access points within the infrastructure can be either root units, which are physically wired to the LAN backbone, or can act as wireless repeaters. Other RF enabled devices serve as fixed nodes or mobile client nodes.

Internet - The Internet is a collection of numerous networks worldwide, commonly referred to in two ways: The internet (lowercase i) is any collection of separate physical networks, interconnected by a common protocol, to form a single complete network. The Internet (uppercase I) is the worldwide collection of interconnected networks that uses Internet Protocol (IP) to link the various physical networks into a single logical network, including the World Wide Web.

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) - An IP Address is unique to each computer currently connected to any given network, including the Internet. An IP address consists of four numbers separated by periods; each number can be up to three digits long, such as 64.134.59.2 (the digits are between 1 and 255). All data that is transferred through the Internet has a "to" and a "from" IP address. The IP address specifies where each packet of data is going and where the reply data (if any) should be sent. This allows any computer connected to a given network to transfer data with any other computer connected to the same network or a connected network, such as the Internet. This is one of the fundamental ideas on which the Internet is based. You can think of it as the mailing address for the computer while it is connected to the Internet. There are two types of IP addresses: public routable addresses and what are called 1918 space IP addresses. 1918 space is composed of those IP addresses that are defined for use on LANs and are not directly routable on the Internet. An analogy would be directions that work locally but not globally, such as the fourth house on the right. Those directions work on a particular street but not from another city. You then would have to ask "Which fourth house on the right?" This is what happens when a computer is assigned a 1918 space address (192.158.x.x or 10.1.x.x); it is only routable within the LAN. Fully routable IP addresses are like international address for the postal system. They include the country (the 1st digit); the state or providence (the 2nd digit); the city or zip code (3rd digit); and the specific house (4th digit), such that every address is unique even when they have the same street name.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) - ISDN is a technology still being developed to cover a range of voice, data, and image services. It is intended to provide end-to-end simultaneous handling of digitized voice and data traffic on the same physical lines. Typical ISDN lines are either single- or dual-band and have speeds of 64 kbps and 128 kbps respectively.

LAN (Local Area network) - A LAN is a data communications network that can cover a limited area of up to about six miles in radius, with moderate to high data speeds. The machines linked by a LAN may all be in the same building or a group of buildings in relatively close proximity. A LAN is user-owned and does not run over leased lines (e.g., a T-1 line), although it might have gateways (or connection points) to the Internet or other private networks. The most common example of a LAN is a corporate network, like many companies and universities have installed to enable easy transfer of data. Common speeds include 10 Mbps, 100 Mpbs, and now 1 Gbps (gigabit/sec).

MAC Address - The Media Access Control (MAC) address of the Wireless Ethernet Adapter is a unique serial number assigned to the device by the manufacturer.

Modem - Named for what it does: modulates/demodulates. A modem converts digital signals from your computer to analog for transmission over ordinary phone lines, and vice-versa. This is the device that is used when a person "dials up" to the Internet. A modem will not work with the HOTSPOT service.

Network Name - See SSID.

Parent/Child Node - Refers to the relationships between nodes in the wireless infrastructure. The complete set of relationships is sometimes described as a Network Tree. For example, the access point (at the top of the tree) would be the parent of the end nodes. Conversely, the end nodes would be the children of the access point.

POP (Point Of Presence) - This is the point where a network meets the primary information-carrying lines (called the backbone) of the Internet. In other words, this is like a city name in the postal system. It is the first local identifier of a computer's location on the Internet, describing where to look for a computer coming from a particular POP.

POP3 - POP3 is a commonly implemented method of delivering email from the mail server to the client machine. Other methods include IMAP and Microsoft Exchange. The POP3 server specified in a person's email program specifies where to look for email that is directed to a particular email address. This should never be changed unless told to by the ISP or company IT department that provides the email address. If it is changed, a person will be unable to receive email until the appropriate POP3 address is specified again. HotSpot International will never ask you to change your POP3 (incoming) server.

Port - The exit and entrance point for information going out of and into a computer or other data communication devices, such as an Ethernet port or printer port. On the Internet, a port tells a server which software on the server should respond to a particular request for data. This is similar to a CB radio, in that a radio set on a particular channel will only respond to data being transmitted on that channel; software will work the same way as in this analogy: Server software will only respond to requests for data on a particular port (http, for example, the protocol used for Web pages, uses port 80).

Power Saving Protocol and Constant Awake Mode - This protocol allows computers (usually portable computers) to power up only part of the time to conserve energy. There are three levels of power modes: Max PSP, the most energy conserving mode; Fast PSP, which sacrifices some power-saving in exchange for data transfer speed; and CAM (Constant Awake Mode), in which the client node never sleeps. Client nodes powered from an AC line should use CAM.

Protocol - A standardized method of transferring or manipulating data or information.

Proxy Server - A proxy server is a computer used on some corporate networks. It is used for all World Wide Web traffic, such as the viewing of Web pages. It can be used for the filtering of Web sites to prevent people from going to certain types of sites, but more commonly it is used on networks where there is not a direct connection to the Internet available for all computers (or where a direct connection would be too expensive). A proxy server can be thought of as a device that is similar to a telephone switchboard for Web pages.

Repeater - A repeater is an access point that extends the radio range of the infrastructure. A repeater is not physically attached to the wired LAN, but communicates via radio to another access point, which acts as either a root unit or another repeater.

RJ connections used by HotSpot International - An RJ-45 connector is used in meeting rooms. It is the same basic shape as a phone cord, only larger. (It has 8 wires rather than 4.) This is a standard Ethernet cable. An RJ-11 is a normal phone cord and will not work with the HotSpot International service.

Root Unit - The root unit is an access point that is located at the top, or starting point, of a wireless infrastructure. A root unit provides the physical connection to the wired LAN (such as Ethernet) and contains configuration information in its association table that covers all nodes that access the wired network (backbone). All access points directly attached to the wired LAN backbone are root units.

Router - A device widely used on the Internet that directs information to the appropriate places by using the destination or "to" IP address of the data packet.

Routing - The process of delivering a message across a network or networks via the most appropriate path, usually done by a device called a router.

Server - A computer that is designed to provide or serve information to client computers, such as IP addresses or Web pages. A server is similar to a waiter or waitress in a restaurant, with the end-user being the client. It takes the order from the client and returns the request item. One computer can be both a client and a server; in fact, this frequently occurs.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - SMTP delivers email. This allows a user to send email messages to users on other computers. This is the most common method of sending email on the Internet. When a person sends an email using an email program, the email program connects to the SMTP server and delivers the email message to it. That SMTP server then passes the email message on to the appropriate mail server for the recipient email address of the email.

SSID (Service Set Identifier) - A unique keyword or code that specifies which Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless Ethernet network a wireless card should connect to, allowing multiple wireless Ethernet networks to be active at the same time in the same location. Depending on the configuration of the access points of the networks, a user may be able to detect the SSID using the configuration software for the network card or may be required to manually specify the SSID within their card's configuration. All HOTSPOT Wi-Fi (802.11b) access points broadcast the SSID, so client machines will not need to manually enter the SSID (in most cases).

Static Address - This is a "fixed IP address" that is manually configured and assigned to a computer. A manual change of the IP is required; it will not be changed automatically. See DHCP for alternative.

Switch - The shorthand name for an Ethernet switch. This is a device similar to a hub that enables the connection of multiple computers, access points, and other network enabled devices. These devices are an integral part of any Ethernet network.

T-1 line - A leased broadband connection that provides a communications link with data-transfer rates at up to 1.5 megabits per second both upstream and downstream. A typical modem connection has a maximum data transfer rate of 53.3 kilobits per second on a standard phone line.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - TCP/IP is a networking standard on which the Internet is based. TCP/IP, along with several other protocols, enables users to transmit data over the Internet.

Upload - To transfer a file, image, etc. to a server via a network.

Upstream - Any data that is moving away from the computer. Data that is being sent to another machine is traveling upstream.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - The Internet's method of "addressing" specific Web sites in normal letters and numbers. Each URL has a corresponding IP address. (For example,www.HOTSPOT.net).

VPN (Virtual Private Network) - A VPN is a technology that establishes a private or secure network connection within a public network, such as the Internet. There are two types of VPN technology: client-to-LAN and LAN-to-LAN. Client-to-LAN VPN technology is generally implemented through software running on a user's notebook computer. It can be implemented through the use of a separate VPN card or separate device; however, this is not as commonly used for individual computers using a VPN. Client-to-LAN VPNs are the most common type of VPNs used by individual computers in remote locations. LAN-to-LAN VPN technology most often utilizes hardware VPN routers to establish a virtual network between two or more independent LANs. This type of VPN is most often used for meetings at remote locations where multiple computers will be used, or for remote offices that require that people at the main office and the remote office can access both networks.

WAN (Wide Area Network) - A network that covers a larger geographical area than a LAN. A WAN usually has speeds of 1.5 Mbps or more.

HOTSPOT Welcome Page - The HOTSPOT Welcome Page or authentication page is the HOTSPOT billing page. It is the Web site that you must click through to agree to the terms of service and activate your connection. To get to the HOTSPOT Welcome Page, open your browser (i.e., Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) and go to a public Web site (such as www.yahoo.com).

WEP - Wired Equivalent Privacy, the IEEE 802.11 standard data encryption system for wireless networks.

WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance) - WECA promotes international adoption of the Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b standard for interoperability in wireless local area networking for enterprises, small businesses, and homes. As the first truly global wireless Ethernet standard to emerge, IEEE 802.11b will safeguard the investment of customers who expect multivendor interoperability as they build wireless LANs in an ever-evolving communications environment. HOTSPOT, Apple, Compaq, Dell, and other leaders from the personal computer, networking, service provider, and silicon industries are members of WECA. Find out more at www.weca.net.

Wi-Fi (802.11b) - IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) wireless standard for LANs.
Wireless Ethernet Adapter - A PC Card device used to connect a client workstation wirelessly to a wired or wireless network via an access point or bridge.

World Wide Web - A group of servers connected to the Internet that include corporate Web sites, search engines, credit card-billing servers, personal Web sites, and many other types of servers. The World Wide Web is not the Internet but is the most commonly seen and used part of the Internet, with the possible exception of email services (which sometimes include the WWW, such as Hotmail and Yahoo mail)

Glossary Last Updated 04/09/2003