Basic Internet

A name service used with TCP/IP hosts. A DNS exists on numerous servers over the Internet. It is a database for finding host names and IP addresses on the Internet and trying to figure them out.

Encryption is a procedure used in cryptography to convert plain text into ciphertext to prvent any but the intended recipient from reading that data.

A finger is a UNIX command that displays information about a group or user on the Internet.

A search and retrieval tool for information used mostly for research.

A packet switching protocol that is used as a network layer in the TCP/IP protocol suite.

Internet Relay Chat, or IRC, allows users to chat on different channels over the Internet. IRC channels are preceded by a # sign and are controlled by channel operators. Channel operators can kick people out of the channel if he or she feels necessary.

An organization or company that has a network with a direct link to the Internet. This is done by using a dedicated line connection, usually through a link known as a T1 connection. Users can dial into to that network using their modem. Most ISP’s now charge a monthly fee.

Local Area Network. A LAN allows users to share files between computers, send e-mail and access the Internet. Most companies use Local Area Networks so that users can access information within or outside the LAN.

A mailing list is a list of e-mail addresses used to have messages forwarded to groups of people.

A mirror site is usually set up due to overwhelming traffic on an existing web site. A mirror site is a site that is kept separate from the original site but contains the same information as that site. This is an alternative to users who attempt to go to a web site but cannot due to traffic problems.

A standard industry protocol for the inquiry, distribution, retrieval, and posting of news articles.

A proprietary network protocol designed by Digital Equipment Corporation.

A protocol is a method of communication between two devices. You can think of it as the language the devices use to communicate with each other, although it is not the same as a programming language (by which a human programmer controls a computer). Different brands of printers, for example, each use their own protocol (or "language") by which a computer can communicate with the printer. This is why a driver program must be written for each printer.

A device that forwards traffic between networks.

A standard protocol used to transfer e-mail messages.

A connection of a host to the Internet where data is transferred at 1.544 megabits per second.

A connection of a host to the Internet where data is transferred at 44.746 megabits per second.

This is the standard Internet protocol to connect to remote terminals.

A Universal Resource Locator refers to the universal address of an Internet web page. A URL consists of three things. First, it starts with letters such as http, ftp, or gopher that identify the resource type, followed by a colon and two forward slashes. Next, the computer’s name is listed. And finally, the filename and directory of the remote resource is listed as well.

A search engine and distributed information service that allows indexed searching and natural language input.

Acronym for Windows Sockets. A set of standards and specifications for programmers who are programming a TCP/IP application to use in Windows.