Protocol: A protocol is a set of rules for interaction agreed upon between multiple parties so that when they interface with each other based on such a protocol, the interpretation of their behavior is well defined and can be made objectively, without confusion or misunderstanding.
Router: A router is an intelligent network device that forwards packets between different networks based on network layer address information such as IP addresses.
Subnet Mask: A subnet mask, which may be a part of the TCP/IP information provided by your ISP, is a set of four numbers (e.g. 255.255.255.0) configured like an IP address. It is used to create IP address numbers used only within a particular network (as opposed to valid IP address numbers recognized by the Internet, which must be assigned by InterNIC).
TCP/IP, UDP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and Unreliable Datagram Protocol (UDP). TCP/IP is the standard protocol for data transmission over the Internet. Both TCP and UDP are transport layer protocols. TCP performs proper error detection and error recovery, and thus is reliable. UDP on the other hand is not reliable. They both run on top of the IP (Internet Protocol), a network layer protocol.
WAN: Wide Area Network. A network that connects computers located in geographically separate areas (e.g. different buildings, cities, countries). The Internet is a wide area network.
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