Question | Answer |
default gateway | The gateway a computer on a
network will use to access another network unless
it knows to specifically use another gateway for
quicker access to that network. |
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) | A
protocol used by a server to assign dynamic IP
addresses to computers on a network when they
first access the network. |
DNS (Domain Name System or Domain Name Service) | A distributed pool of information (called the name
space) that keeps track of assigned host names and
domain names and their corresponding IP addresses,
and the system that allows a host to locate
information in the pool. |
DNS Server | A computer that can find an IP address for another computer when on;y the fully qualified domain name is known. |
domain name | A unique, text-based name that
identifies a network. A fully qualified domain
name is sometimes loosely called a domain name. |
dynamic IP address | An assigned IP address that is
used for the current session only. When the session
is terminated, the IP address is returned to the list
of available addresses. |
Fast Ethernet Fiber Distributed Data | An Ethernet standard that operates at
100Mbps and uses twisted-pair cabling up to
100 meters (328 feet). |
fiber optic cable | Cable that transmits signals as pulses
of light over glass strands inside protected tubing. |
full duplex | Communication that happens in two
directions at the same time. |
fully qualified domain name (FQDN) | A host name
and a domain name such as jsmith.amazon.com.
Sometimes loosely referred to as a domain name. |
gateway | A computer or other device that connects
networks. |
Gigabit Ethernet | A version of Ethernet that supports
rates of data transfer up to 1 gigabit per second. |
half duplex | Communication between two devices
whereby transmission takes place in only one
direction at a time. |
hardware address | A 48-bit
hardware address unique to each NIC card or
onboard network controller and assigned by the
manufacturer. The address is often printed on the
adapter as hexadecimal numbers. |
host | Any computer or other device on a network that
has been assigned an IP address. Also called node. |
host name | A name that identifies a computer, printer,
or other device on a network. The host name
together with the domain name is called the fully
qualified domain name. |
Hosts file | A file in the C:\Windows\System32\
drivers\etc folder that contains computer names
and their associated IP addresses on the local
network. The file has no file extension. |
hub | A network device or box that provides a central
location to connect cables and distributes
incoming data packets to all other devices
connected to it. Compare to switch. |