Jargon Buster
ADSL
(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop). High speed Internet access using the telephone line. It uses line-adaptive modulation and provides data speeds from 384kbps to 1.5 Mbps (upstream and downstream speeds are usually different). Unlike the dial up, it doesn't block the telephone line.
Bandwidth
The capacity of any single channel of the system to transmit data.
Menu/BIOS Driven
Refers to the type of controls on some equipment. The user will be offered an on screen menu display of major categories such as Computer, Video, Audio, Display, Options. After selecting one, you will get another menu of choices with items like brightness, contrast, etc. after select one of these and you can then adjust the settings.
Data Rate
The rate or speed at which data is transmitted, usually stated in bits per second or Baud
Firewall
Computer hardware and/or software that limits access to a computer over a network or from an outside source. Used to prevent computer hackers from getting into a company's computer systems.
Hz, (KHz, MHz)
Hertz or (Kilohertz or Megahertz). Cycles per second. (Kilo = 1,000, Mega = 1 million). These terms are used to express the frequency of an electrical signal.
Computer In(put) - Out(put)
Input - Typical labeling of connector on a projector or panel where the cable from your computer plugs in.
Typical labelling of connector on a projector or panel where the cable to your computer monitor is connected. This is not available on all projectors and is not usually needed when using a laptop.
Interface
To connect normally incompatible components so that the signal from one is readable by the second.
IR communication standard
A standard for wireless communicating with peripherals (printers wireless keyboards, pointing devices) and a computer. This feature is becoming common on laptop computers.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
Standard digital service capability that includes one or more circuit-switched communication channels capable of carrying digital voice, data, or image signals, a packet-switched channel for out-of-band signaling and control, plus a collection of standard and optional features that support information productivity for the user providing higher-speed Internet access than analogue systems.
LAN
Acronym for Local Area Network; the local area typically being an office building or technology campus.
LAN is short for Local Area Nwtwork. As its name would suggest this is a network of computers local to a room, building or small complex of buildings.
Mbps
(Millions of bits per second) It is a measure of bandwidth. A unit of information transfer rate. While an ethernet connection can run at 10 Mbps the average household modem still runs at 56.6 kbps (kilobits per second).
Network
Connecting two or more computers and/or net workable devices for data sharing or for remote control of devices.
Ethernet
Ethernet is the usual method of connecting computers together in a network or connecting a computer to a broadband internet service provider. Ethernet requires a cable for connection, unlike wireless technology.
Parallel
A method of transmitting several bits of data simultaneously through a communications channel.
PPTP / VPN
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is a protocol (set of communication rules) that allows corporations to extend their own corporate network through private "tunnels" over the public Internet. Effectively, a corporation uses a wide-area network as a single large local area network. A company no longer needs to lease its own lines for wide-area communication but can securely use the public networks. This kind of interconnection is known as a virtual private network (VPN).
Routing Protocol
A set of rules defining the way router machines find the way that packets containing information have to follow to reach intended destination.
SCSI
Small Computer Systems Interface, pronounced "scussy". A device independent interface used for a wide range of peripherals.
TCP/IP
The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) on top of the Internet Protocol (IP). These protocols were developed by DARPA to enable communication between different types of computers and computer networks. The Internet Protocol is a connectionless protocol which provides packet routing. TCP is connection-oriented and provides reliable communication and multiplexing.
Routing Protocol
A set of rules defining the way router machines find the way that packets containing information have to follow to reach intended destination.
USB
Acronym for Universal Serial Bus; a peripheral connection interface for low-speed devices notable for it's hot-swap ability.
WCDMA
WCDMA is Wideband CDMA. This is the technology for wideband wireless access supporting 3G cell phone services, and allows very high-speed multimedia services like wireless Internet access and videoconferencing.
Wi-Fi
Wi-fi is a wireless alternative to ethernet for networking. It provides similar data transfer speeds to ethernet without relying on cables. It does require you to be within range of a wireless access point.
