Networking and communications

Terms related to networking and communications, including definitions about network protocols and words and phrases about data transmission.
  • What is HTTP and how does it work? Hypertext Transfer Protocol - HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the set of rules for transferring files -- such as text, images, sound, video and other multimedia files -- over the web.
  • What is IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)? - IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a standard retrieval protocol for receiving email.
  • What is Internet Key Exchange (IKE)? - Internet Key Exchange (IKE) is a standard protocol used to set up a secure and authenticated communication channel between two parties via a virtual private network (VPN).
  • What is ISA (Industry Standard Architecture)? - ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) is a standard bus (computer interconnection) architecture that was associated with the IBM AT motherboard.
  • What is Microsoft Azure and how does it work? - Microsoft Azure, formerly known as Windows Azure, is Microsoft's public cloud computing platform.
  • What is MIMO (multiple input, multiple output)? - MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) is an antenna technology for wireless communications in which multiple antennas are used at both the source (transmitter) and the destination (receiver).
  • What is modulation? - Modulation is the process of converting data into radio waves by adding information to an electronic or optical carrier signal.
  • What is network analytics? - Network analytics is the application of big data principles and tools to the data used to manage and secure data networks.
  • What is network downtime? - Network downtime refers to inaccessibility to part or all of a network due to the failure of hardware, software or some combination of both.
  • What is network topology? - A network topology is the physical and logical arrangement of nodes and connections in a network.
  • What is network traffic? - Network traffic is the amount of data that moves across a network during any given time.
  • What is network virtualization? Everything you need to know - Network virtualization is a method of combining the available resources in a network to consolidate multiple physical networks, divide a network into segments or create software networks between VMs.
  • What is network visibility? - Network visibility is an awareness of the components and data within an enterprise computer network.
  • What is NFV MANO (network functions virtualization management and orchestration)? - NFV MANO (network functions virtualization management and orchestration), or just MANO, is an architectural framework used to manage and orchestrate virtual network functions (VNFs) and other software components.
  • What is PaaS? Platform as a service definition and guide - Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers hardware and software tools to users over the internet.
  • What is packet loss in networking? - Packet loss is when one or more transmitted data packets fail to arrive at their destination.
  • What is podcasting? - Podcasting is the preparation and distribution of digital audio files to the computers of subscribed users using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds.
  • What is promiscuous mode in networking? - In computer networking, promiscuous mode is a mode of operation in which a network device, such as a network interface card (NIC) or an adapter on a host system, can intercept and read in its entirety each network packet that arrives instead of just the packets addressed to the host.
  • What is PSTN (public switched telephone network)? - PSTN (public switched telephone network) is the world's collection of interconnected voice-oriented public telephone networks via traditional circuit-switched networks.
  • What is QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) and how does it work? - QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) is a method of combining two amplitude modulation (AM) signals into a single channel.
  • What is Real-Time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP)? - Real-Time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP) is a network communication protocol that works alongside Real-Time Protocol (RTP) to monitor and track data delivery on large multicast networks via RTP's associated transmission metrics.
  • What is Routing Information Protocol (RIP)? - Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is a distance vector protocol that uses hop count as its primary metric.
  • What is shielded twisted pair (STP) and how does it work? - Shielded twisted pair (STP) is a kind of cable made up of smaller wires where each small pair of wires is twisted together and has an outer coating to electrically shield it.
  • What is Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)? - Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is an application-layer protocol for monitoring and managing network devices on a local area network or wide area network.
  • What is SIP trunking (Session Initiation Protocol trunking)? - Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking is a service a communications service provider offers that uses the protocol to provision voice over IP (VoIP) and multimedia connectivity between an on-premises phone system and the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
  • What is SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)? - SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a TCP/IP protocol used in sending and receiving emails over a network such as the internet.
  • What is social networking and how does it work? - Social networks are websites and apps that allow users and organizations to connect, communicate, share information and form relationships.
  • What is software-defined networking (SDN)? - Software-defined networking (SDN) is a networking approach in which software is used to easily configure and centrally manage IT networks.
  • What is speech technology? - Speech technology is a type of computing technology that enables an electronic device to recognize, analyze and understand spoken word or audio.
  • What is SSH (Secure Shell) and How Does It Work? - SSH (Secure Shell or Secure Socket Shell) is a network protocol that gives users -- particularly systems administrators -- a secure way to access a computer over an unsecured network.
  • What is SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)? - SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a networking protocol that secures connections between web clients and web servers over internal networks or the internet by encrypting the data sent between those clients and servers.
  • What is streaming network telemetry? - Streaming network telemetry is a real-time data collection service in which network devices, such as routers, switches and firewalls, continuously push data related to the network's health to a centralized location.
  • What is team collaboration? - Team collaboration is a communication and project management approach that emphasizes teamwork, innovative thinking and equal participation to achieve objectives.
  • What is telephony? - Telephony is technology associated with interactive communication between two or more physically distant parties using the electronic transmission of data.
  • What is Telnet? - Telnet is a network protocol used to remotely access a computer for a text-based communication channel between two machines.
  • What is the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol? How does it work? - The Server Message Block (SMB) protocol is a client-server communication protocol used for sharing access to files, printers, serial ports and other resources on a network.
  • What is the Universal Service Fund (USF)? - The Universal Service Fund (USF) is a United States government program that supports telecommunications access and affordability in rural and low-income communities.
  • What is throughput? - Throughput is a measure of how many units of information a system can process in a given amount of time.
  • What is traffic shaping (packet shaping)? - Traffic shaping, also known as packet shaping, is a congestion management method that regulates network data transfer by delaying the flow of less important or less desired packets.
  • What is UCaaS? Unified communications as a service guide - Unified communications as a service (UCaaS) is a cloud delivery model that offers a variety of communication and collaboration applications and services.
  • What is User Datagram Protocol (UDP)? - User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is a communications protocol primarily used to establish low-latency and loss-tolerating connections between applications on the internet.
  • What is video conferencing? - Video conferencing is a live, visual connection between two or more remote parties over the internet that simulates a face-to-face meeting.
  • What is wireless communications? Everything you need to know - Wireless communications is the transmission of voice and data without cable or wires.
  • WhatsApp - WhatsApp is a free cross-platform messaging service.
  • Wi-Fi 6 - Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.
  • Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) - Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a Windows server role that can plan, manage and deploy updates, service packs, patches and hotfixes for Windows servers, client operating systems (OSes) and other Microsoft software.
  • 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 typical network infrastructure equipment, such as a wireless router or access point.
  • wireless backhaul - Wireless backhaul is the use of wireless communication systems to transport data between the internet and subnetworks.
  • wireless broadband (WiBB) - Wireless broadband (WiBB) is high-speed internet and data service delivered through a wireless local area network (WLAN) or wireless wide area network (WWAN).
  • wireless distribution system (WDS) - A wireless distribution system (WDS) is a method of interconnecting access points (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) without requiring that they connect through a wired backbone.
  • Zoom fatigue (virtual meeting fatigue) - Zoom fatigue, also known as 'virtual meeting fatigue,' is the feeling of exhaustion that often occurs after attending a series of virtual video meetings.