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Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. Newer network standard developed by IEEE that specifies how wireless devices communicate over the air in a wide area. See also WiMAX.


Short for Asynchronous Transfer Mode; service that carries voice, data, video, and multimedia at very high speeds.


The amount of data, instructions, and information that can travel over a communications channel.


Network standard, specifically a protocol, that defines how two Bluetooth devices use short-range radio waves to transmit data.


Type of media that transmits multiple signals simultaneously.

broadcast radio

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bus network

Type of network topology in which a single central cable connects all computers and other devices.

cable modem

Digital modem that sends and receives digital data over the cable television (CATV) network. Also called a broadband modem.

cellular radio

Form of broadcast radio that is used widely for mobile communications, specifically wireless modems and cellular telephones.

client/server network

Network in which one or more computers act as a server, and the other computers on the network request services from the server.


Other computers and mobile devices on a network that rely on a server for its resources.

coaxial cable



Work online with other users connected to a server.

collaborative software

Software that includes tools that enable users to share documents via online meetings and communicate with other connected users.


Process in which two or more computers or devices transfer data, instructions, and information.

communications channel

Transmission media on which data, instructions, or information travel.

communications device


communications satellite

Space station that receives microwave signals from an earth-based station, amplifies (strengthens) the signals, and broadcasts the signals back over a wide area to any number of earth-based stations.
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communications software

Programs that (1) help users establish a connection to another computer or network; (2) manage thetransmission of data, instructions, and information; and (3) provide an interface for users to communicate with one another.


Coffee house, restaurant, or other location that provides personal computers with Internet access to its customers.

dedicated line

Type of always-on connection that is established between two communications devices (unlike a dial-up line where the connection is reestablished each time it is used).

dial-up line

Temporary connection that uses one or more analog telephone lines for communications.

dial-up modem

Communications device that can convert digital signals to analog signals and analog signals to digital signals, so that data can travel along an analog telephone line

digital modem

Communications device that sends and receives data and information to and from a digital line.

document management system

System for storage and management of a company's documents, such as word processing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.


Type of digital technology that provides high-speed Internet connections using regular copper telephone lines.

DSL modem

Modem that sends digital data and information from a computer to a DSL line and receives digital data and information from a DSL line.



fiber optic cable


Fiber to the Premises(FTTP)

Dedicated line that uses fiber-optic cable to provide extremely high-speed Internet access to a user's physical permanent location.

global positioning system(GPS)

Navigation system that consists of one or more earth-based receivers that accept and analyze signals sent by satellites in order to determine the receiver's geographic location.


Software that helps groups of people work together on projects and share information over a network.

home network

Network consisting of multiple devices and computers connected together in a home.

hot spot

Wireless network that provides Internet connections to mobile computers and other devices.


An internal network that uses Internet technologies.


Network standard used to transmit data wirelessly via infrared (IR) light waves.

ISDN modem

Modem that sends digital data and information from a computer to an ISDN line and receives digital data and information from an ISDN line.

Local Area Network(LAN)



Web application that combines services from two or more sources, creating a new application.

metropolitan area network (MAN)



Radio waves that provide a high-speed signal transmission.


Collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and transmission media, allowing computers to share resources.

network card

Communications device that enables a computer or device that does not have built-in networking capability to access a network.

network topology

Layout of computers and devices in a communications network.


Electrical disturbance that can degrade communications.


Type of peer-to-peer network on which users access each other's hard disks and exchange files directly over the Internet. See also file sharing network.

peer-to-peer network

Simple, inexpensive network that typically connects fewer than 10 computers

picture messaging

Wireless messaging service that allows users to send pictures and sound files, as well as short text messages to a phone, a computer, or other mobile device.

recieving device

Device that accepts the transmission of data, instructions, or information.

ring network

Type of network topology in which a cable forms a closed loop (ring) with all computers and devices arranged along the ring.


Communications device that connects multiple computers or other routers together and transmits data to its correct destination on a network.

sending device

Device that initiates instructions to transmit data, instructions, or information.


Computer that controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information. See also host computer.

star network

Type of network topology in which all computers and devices on the network connect to a central device, thus forming a star.

T-carrier line


T1 Line

The most popular T-carrier line.


Short for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol; network standard, specifically a protocol, that defines how messages (data) are routed from one end of a network to the other, ensuring the data arrives correctly.

Text Messaging

Service that allows users to send and receive short text messages on a phone or other mobile device. Also called SMS (short message service).

Token Ring

Network standard in which computers and devices on the network share or pass a special signal, called a token, in a unidirectional manner and in a preset order.

transmission media

Materials or substances capable of carrying one or more signals in a communications channel.

twisted pair cable

Transmission media that consists of one or more twisted-pair wires bundled together.

UWB(ultra-wide band)

Network standard that specifies how two UWB devicesuse short-range radio waves to communicate at high speeds with each other.

value added network(VAN)

Third-party business that provides networking servicessuch as secure data and information transfer, storage, e-mail, and management reports.

video messaging

Wireless messaging service that allows users to send short video clips, usually about 15 seconds, in addition to all picture messaging services

visual voice mail

Voice mail feature that allows users to view message details such as the length of calls and, in some cases, read message contents instead of listening to them.

voice mail

Service that functions much like an answering machine, allowing a user to leave a voice message for one or more people.

Web Conference

Online meeting that takes place on the Web.

Web services

Set of software technologies that allows businesses to create products and B2B (business-to-business) interactions over the Internet.

wide area network(WAN)




Wireless application protocol(WAP)

Network standard, specifically a protocol, that specifies how some wireless mobile devices such as smart phones can display the content of Internet services such as the Web, e-mail, and chat rooms.

Wireless internet accsess point

Location where people can connect wirelessly to the Internet using mobile computers, smart phones, handheld game consoles, or other devices.

wireless LAN(WLAN)

Local area network that uses no physical wires.

wireless modem

Modem that allows access to the Web wirelessly from a notebook computer, PDA, smart phone, or other mobile device.

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