Glossary
RouteFinder RF500S User Guide 133
I
IP (Internet Protocol)
The Internet Protocol is the network l ayer for the TCP/IP Protocol Suite. It is a
connectionless, best-effort packet swi tching protocol.
Intranet
An Intranet is the use of Internet technologies within a company. Intranets are private
networks that exist only within organizations, while the Internet is a global network open
to all.
IP Addresses
A computer on the Internet is identifi ed by an IP Address. A computer’s IP address is like
a telephone number. It identifies one address or in this case one computing device. Every
computer or device on the network must have a different IP address.
An IP address consists of four groups of numbers called octets, which are separated by
periods. For example, 213 .0.0.1 is an IP address. An IP address consists of a network
portion and a host portion. The network portion identifies the subnet that the computer
belongs to. The host portion identifies the particular computer or node on that network.
IP addresses can either be dynamic (temporary) or static (permanent or fixed). A dynamic
IP address is a temporary IP address that is assigned to you by a server (usually a DHCP
server) when the computer is powered on. A static IP address is a permanent IP address
that is set up on each individual computer. When your RouteFinder dials-up your ISP, your
ISP can give it a fixed or dynamic IP address. Likewise when you power on your computer,
the RF500S can give your computer a dynamic or fixed IP address.
ISDN TA
(Integrated Services Digital Network Terminal Adapter) ISDN is a high speed digital
telephone connection involving the digitization of the telephone network using existing
wiring. An ISDN Terminal Adapter can be thought of as an ISDN Modem.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
An organization that provides Internet services. An ISP is the company that provides the
connection from your computer to the Int ernet. An ISP can offer a range of services, such
as dial-up accounts, e-mail, web hosting or News.
L
LAN (Local Area Network)
A data network intended to serve an area of only a few square kilometers or less. This
often means a small private network in companies.
M
ML-PPP (Also called MP or MPPP)
Stands for Multilink Point to Point Protocol and is an advancement of the PPP protocol that
allows for the bridging or bundling of two ISDN or an alog channels for faster connections.
MAC Address
The hardware address of a Device connected to a shared media. To find out the MAC
address of your computer please see Troubleshooting.