Glossary | Apple AirPort Networks manual

backbone The central part of a large network that links two or more subnetworks. The backbone is the primary data transmission path on large networks such as those of enterprises and service providers. A backbone can be wireless or wired.

bandwidth The maximum transmission capacity of a communications channel at any point in time. Bandwidth, usually measured in bits per second (bps), determines the speed at which information can be sent across a network. If you compare the communications channel to a pipe, bandwidth represents the pipe width and determines how much data can flow through the pipe at any one time. The greater the bandwidth, the faster data can flow. See bps.

base station In the area of wireless computer networking, a base station is a radio receiver/transmitter that serves as the hub of the local wireless network, and may also be the gateway between a wired network and the wireless network. A base station can also be referred to as an access point or router.

Bluetooth A technology designed for short-range, wireless communications among computing devices and mobile products, including PCs and laptop computers, personal digital assistants, printers, and mobile phones. Designed as a cable replacement, Bluetooth enables short-range transmission of voice and data in the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum within a range of about 30 feet.

bps Bits per second. A measure of data transmission speed across a network or communications channel; bps is the number of bits that can be sent or received per second. It measures the speed at which data is communicated and should not be—but often is—confused with bytes per second. Whereas “bits” is a measure of transmission speed, “bytes” is a measure of storage capacity. See bandwidth, Mbps.

bridge A wireless device that connects multiple networks together. Using an access point as a bridge turns off Network Address Translation (NAT) and DHCP routing and simply extends the range of service.

broadband A comparatively fast Internet connection possessing sufficient bandwidth to accommodate multiple voice, data, and video channels simultaneously. Cable, DSL, and satellite are all considered to be broadband channels; they provide much greater speed than dial-up Internet access over telephone wires. See cable modem, DSL.

broadband modem A device that connects a local computer or network to a high- speed Internet service, such as DSL or Cable Internet. See cable modem, DSL.

cable modem A device used with broadband Internet service provided by a traditional cable TV service. Cable modems convert analog data from the cable TV system into a digital format that can be used by a computer. See broadband modem.