Glossary n

The name of a popular web browser software product, more fully named Netscape Navigator. The product was originally written by a company called Netscape and is now owned by AOL, Inc.

A device that connects to a network, collects copies of frames passing over the network, and allows the user to analyze and read the contents of the frames.

An IDS that sits in the network, monitoring the packets that pass over a LAN.

A style of drawing diagrams, with a cloud representing all or part of a network.

The lowest layer of the TCP/IP architectural model, matching both Layer 1 and Layer 2 of the OSI model.

The portion of an IP address that has the same value as all the other addresses in the same network. Class A, B, and C networks have 1, 2, and 3 octet long network parts, respectively.

The idea of treating the basic ability to communicate between two computers just like you think of the telephone, electrical power, water, and so on.

A well-defined set of rules regarding the behavior of a networking device, networking cable, or networking software. Often synonymous with networking standard, this term typically refers to a process.

This term is actually just used in this book to make a point. In concept, the rulebook lists a set of standards and protocols so that if all the devices conform to these standards, the network will work.

A well-defined set of rules regarding the characteristics of a networking device, networking cable, or networking software.

A field in the IP routing table that identifies the IP address of the next router that needs to receive a packet to ensure delivery to the correct destination.

A computer card that gives a computer the ability to send and receive data across a physical network. The term comes from the idea that the card is the PC's interface to the network.

In mathematics, a single symbol that can represent part of a number; for instance, the digit "1" is part of the number "321." Another word for digit.