network. Every client and server station must have a unique IP address. Clients are assigned either a permanent address or have one dynamically assigned to them via DHCP. IP addresses are written as four sets of numbers separated by periods (for example, 211.23.181.189).

LAN

LANs (Local Area Networks) are networks that serve users within specific geographical areas, such as in a company building. LANs are comprised of servers, workstations, a network operating system, and communications links such as the router.

MAC Address

A MAC address is a unique serial number burned into hardware adapters, giving the adapter a unique identification.

(Network) Administrator

The network administrator is the person who manages the LAN within an organization. The administrator's job includes ensuring network security, keeping software, hardware, and firmware up-to-date, and keeping track of network activity.

NTP

NTP (Network Time Protocol) is used to synchronize the real-time clock in a computer. Internet primary and secondary servers synchronize to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Packet

A packet is a portion of data that is transmitted in network communications. Packets are also sometimes called frames and datagrams. Packets contain not only data, but also the destination IP address.

Ping

Ping (Packet Internet Groper) is a utility used to find out if a particular IP address is present online, and is usually used by networks for debugging.

Port

Ports are the communications pathways in and out of computers and network devices (routers and switches). Most PCs have serial and parallel ports, which are external sockets for connecting devices such as printers, modems, and mice. All network adapters use ports to connect to the LAN. Ports are typically numbered.

Protocol

A protocol is a rule that governs the communication of data.

Server

Servers are typically powerful and fast machines that store programs and data. The programs and data are shared by client machines (workstations) on the network.

SMTP

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the standard Internet e-mail protocol. SMTP is a TCP/IP protocol defining message format and includes a message transfer agent that stores

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