Networking
Definitions about networking including routing and switching vocabulary, telecom terminology and words about email, messaging and mobile.

Circuit switched services equipment and providers
Terms related to circuit switched services equipment and providers, including dedicated communications channel definitions and words and phrases about telecommunications.
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network switch
A network switch is a hardware device that channels incoming data from multiple input ports to a specific output port that will take it toward its intended destination.
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leased line
A leased line is a bidirectional telephone line that has been rented for private voice, data exchange or telecommunication use.
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service-level agreement (SLA)
A service-level agreement (SLA) is a contract that specifies what the service provider is responsible for.
Data transmission
Terms related to data transmission, including definitions about communication channels and words and phrases about point-to-point and point-to-multipoint data transfers.
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bandwidth
Network bandwidth is the capacity of a wired or wireless network communications link to transmit the maximum amount of data from one point to another over a computer network or internet connection in a given amount of time -- usually, one second.
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fiber optics (optical fiber)
Fiber optics, or optical fiber, refers to the medium and the technology associated with the transmission of information as light pulses along a glass or plastic strand or fiber.
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RFID (radio frequency identification)
RFID (radio frequency identification) is a form of wireless communication that incorporates the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal or person.
Email and messaging
Terms related to email and messaging, including definitions about instant messenger and words and phrases about email servers, storage, spam and mobile access.
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Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) - sometimes called Multimedia Messaging System - is a communications technology developed by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) that allows users to exchange multimedia communications between capable mobile phones and other devices.
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SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a TCP/IP protocol used in sending and receiving e-mail.
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voice over LTE (VoLTE)
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is a digital packet technology that uses 4G LTE networks to route voice traffic and transmit data.
High-speed networks
Terms related to high-speed communication networks, including network and end-system architecture definitions and words and phrases about high-bandwidth and low-latency communication.
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fiber optics (optical fiber)
Fiber optics, or optical fiber, refers to the medium and the technology associated with the transmission of information as light pulses along a glass or plastic strand or fiber.
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network protocols
Network protocols are sets of established rules that dictate how to format, transmit and receive data so computer network devices -- from servers and routers to endpoints -- can communicate regardless of the differences in their underlying infrastructures, designs or standards.
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gigabit Ethernet phone (gigE phone)
A gigabit Ethernet phone, or gigE phone, is a VoIP telephone that connects to and uses gigabit Ethernet transmission technology to communicate with other phones.
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a scenario in which objects, animals or people are provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human interaction.
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microcontroller
A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system.
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pervasive computing (ubiquitous computing)
Pervasive computing, also called ubiquitous computing, is the growing trend of embedding computational capability (generally in the form of microprocessors) into everyday objects to make them effectively communicate and perform useful tasks in a way that minimizes the end user's need to interact with computers as computers.
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deep learning
Deep learning is a type of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) that imitates the way humans gain certain types of knowledge. At its simplest, deep learning can be thought of as a way to automate predictive analytics.
LANs
Terms related to local area networks (LANs), including definitions about Ethernet and words and phrases about devices that share a common communications line or link.
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dynamic spectrum access (dynamic spectrum management)
Dynamic spectrum access (DSA), also referred to as dynamic spectrum management (DSM), is a set of spectrum utilization techniques that adjusts frequency in real time based on fluctuating circumstances.
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wireline communication
Wireline communication (also known as wired communication) is the transmission of information over a physical filament. Alternatively, communication technologies that transmit information over-the-air (OTA) are called wireless.
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interconnection
Interconnection is a strategy for ensuring that businesses can privately, securely and directly exchange digital information. An important goal of interconnection is to enable extremely high bandwidth exchanges with the lowest possible latency, at the lowest cost.
Network hardware
Terms related to network hardware, including definitions about cables or file servers and words and phrases about routers and switches.
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storage area network (SAN)
A storage area network (SAN) is a dedicated high-speed network or subnetwork that interconnects and presents shared pools of storage devices to multiple servers.
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coaxial cable
Coaxial cable is a type of copper cable specially built with a metal shield and other components engineered to block signal interference.
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local area network (LAN)
A local area network (LAN) consists of computers and peripherals that share a common communications line or wireless link to a server. LANs are typically located within a distinct geographic area in an office or other facility.
Network software
Terms related to network software, including definitions about network monitoring and words and phrases about network administration.
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iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface)
ISCSI is a transport layer protocol that describes how Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) packets should be transported over a TCP/IP network.
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DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network management protocol used to dynamically assign an Internet Protocol (IP) address to any device, or node, on a network so they can communicate using IP.
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LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol)
LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is a software protocol for enabling anyone to locate data such as organizations, individuals and other resources such as files and devices in a network -- whether on the public internet or on a corporate intranet.
Networking and communications
Terms related to networking and communications, including definitions about network protocols and words and phrases about data transmission.
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bandwidth
Network bandwidth is the capacity of a wired or wireless network communications link to transmit the maximum amount of data from one point to another over a computer network or internet connection in a given amount of time -- usually, one second.
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VMware
VMware is a virtualization and cloud computing software provider based in Palo Alto, Calif.
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Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model in which a third-party provider delivers hardware and software tools -- usually those needed for application development -- to users over the internet.
Routing and switching
Terms related to routers and switches, including definitions about hubs and words and phrases about packet-switched networks.
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Routing Information Protocol (RIP)
Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is a distance vector protocol that uses hop count as its primary metric.
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software-defined networking (SDN)
Software-defined networking (SDN) is a network architecture that aims to make data center networks agile and flexible.
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network switch
A network switch is a hardware device that channels incoming data from multiple input ports to a specific output port that will take it toward its intended destination.
Smart grid
Terms related to smart grids, including definitions about utility electricity delivery systems and words and phrases about smart meters and distributing, monitoring and billing electrical power.
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bandwidth
Network bandwidth is the capacity of a wired or wireless network communications link to transmit the maximum amount of data from one point to another over a computer network or internet connection in a given amount of time -- usually, one second.
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internet of things (IoT)
The internet of things, or IoT, is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.
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wireless access point
A wireless access point (wireless AP) is a network device that transmits and receives data over a wireless local area network (WLAN). When a wireless device moves beyond the range of one AP, it is handed over to the next AP.
Telecom
Terms related to telecom, including definitions about telecommunication service providers and words and phrases about voice, video and Internet communication.
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telecommunications (telecom)
Telecommunications is the transmission of data, voice and video over significant distances by electronic means that use a wide variety of networks and media.
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SIM card
A SIM card, also known as a subscriber identity module, is a smart card that stores identification information that pinpoints a smartphone to a specific mobile network.
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call center
A call center is a centralized department to which phone calls from current and potential customers are directed.
VoIP
Terms related to voice over IP (VoIP), including definitions about communication protocols and words and phrases about making phone calls over the Internet.
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static IP address
A static IP address is a 32 bit number that is assigned to a computer to be its address on the internet.
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voice over LTE (VoLTE)
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is a digital packet technology that uses 4G LTE networks to route voice traffic and transmit data.
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gigabit Ethernet phone (gigE phone)
A gigabit Ethernet phone, or gigE phone, is a VoIP telephone that connects to and uses gigabit Ethernet transmission technology to communicate with other phones.
Wireless LANs
Terms related to wireless LANs, including definitions about Wi-Fi and words and phrases about wireless access points, wireless controllers, wireless LAN security and WLAN configuration.
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bandwidth
Network bandwidth is the capacity of a wired or wireless network communications link to transmit the maximum amount of data from one point to another over a computer network or internet connection in a given amount of time -- usually, one second.
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wireless ad-hoc network (WANET)
A wireless ad-hoc network (WANET) is a type of local area network (LAN) that is built spontaneously to enable two or more wireless devices to be connected to each other without requiring a central device, such as a router or access point.
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VPN (virtual private network)
A virtual private network (VPN) is programming that creates a safe, encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the public internet. A VPN uses tunneling protocols to encrypt data at the sending end and decrypt it at the receiving end.
Wireless technologies
Terms related to wireless technologies, including definitions about wireless devices and words and phrases about radio, microwave and infrared communication.
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wireless ad-hoc network (WANET)
A wireless ad-hoc network (WANET) is a type of local area network (LAN) that is built spontaneously to enable two or more wireless devices to be connected to each other without requiring a central device, such as a router or access point.
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pervasive computing (ubiquitous computing)
Pervasive computing, also called ubiquitous computing, is the growing trend of embedding computational capability (generally in the form of microprocessors) into everyday objects to make them effectively communicate and perform useful tasks in a way that minimizes the end user's need to interact with computers as computers.
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smartphone
A smartphone is a cellular telephone with an integrated computer and other features not originally associated with telephones, such as an operating system, web browsing and the ability to run software applications.