Network adapter

Ethernet USB network adapter

network

System connecting two or more computers and peripherals enabling them to communicate and share resources.

See NIC (Network Interface Card).

network mask

See subnet mask.

NIC (Network Interface Card)

Card or adapter that allows a computer to connect to a network. Also called a network adapter. Ethernet cards and phoneline adapters are examples.

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)

Specification defining an interconnection system between a PC and attached devices through up to ten expansion slots.

PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card

A memory card or I/O device that is inserted into a PC, usually a notebook or laptop computer.

peer-to-peer network

Network in which all computers are of equal rank and share resources equally, as opposed to a client/server network.

peripheral

Any piece of equipment attached to a computer, including printers, scanners, CD-ROM burners, Zip drives, or other means.

Ping (Packet Internet Groper)

Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP address is online. It can be used to test and debug a network by sending out a data packet and waiting for a response.

PNA (Phoneline Networking Alliance)

See HPNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance).

PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet)

Method used mostly by DSL providers for connecting personal computers to a broadband modem for Internet access. Similar to a dial-up connection but at higher speeds.