Glossary of Terms

IP address – Every machine that is on a network (a local network, or the network of the Internet) has a unique IP number [four sets of numbers divided by period with up to three numbers in each set. (I.e. 64.139.27.165)] - If a machine does not have an IP address it cannot be on a network. Most machines also have one or more Domain Names that are easier for people to remember. I.e. www.va-computers.co.uk. Within an isolated network, such as an office, you can assign IP addresses at random as long as each one is unique. However, connecting a private network to the Internet requires using registered IP addresses (called Internet addresses) to avoid duplicates.

DHCP – Short for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a protocol used to dynamically assign IP addresses to client computers on a network. DHCP simplifies network administration because the software keeps track of IP addresses rather than requiring an administrator to manage the task. This means that a new computer can be added to a network without the hassle of manually assigning it a unique IP address. DHCP also supports a mix of static and dynamic IP addresses.

ADSL – Short for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, a technology that allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines. ADSL supports data rates of from 1.5 to 9 Mbps when receiving data (known as the downstream rate) and from 16 to 640 Kbps when sending data (known as the upstream rate).

DNS – Directory Name Service, is a TCP/IP based name resolution service. It is used to resolve a host name to its associated IP address.

Domain Name - A domain name is a unique name, which used to be up to fifteen characters in length, but can now be up to sixty-seven characters, assigned to identify the domain on the network. A domain name must be different than all other domain names, workgroup names, and computer names on the network.

Web site – A collection of files Web files, including a home page. The home page is usually the address that is given, as it is usually the easiest to remember. I.e. www.va-computers.co.uk, as opposed to a web page inside the site, such as www.va-computers.co.uk/services.html (in actuality the first page of the site is www.va-computers.co.uk/index.html, the server is told that www.va-computers.co.uk really means www.va-computers.co.uk/index.html making it easier to remember web addresses.

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