Glossary

Static IP address

A static IP address is assigned to a network component manually during network configuration. Unlike a Dynamic IP address, a static IP address never changes.

Subnet mask

The subnet mask determines how many parts of the IP addresses of a network represent the network number and how many the computer number.

The subnet mask administered by the Gigaset Router is always 255.255.255.0. That means the first three parts of the IP address form the network number and the final part is used for assigning computer numbers. The first three parts of the IP address of all network components are in this case always the same.

Subnetwork

A subnetwork divides a network into smaller units.

Switch

A Switch, like a Hub, is an element for linking different network segments or components. Unlike a hub, the switch has its own intelligence that enables it to further packets to only that subnetwork or network component they are meant for.

See also: Bridge, Hub, Router, Gateway

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol

The TCP Protocol is part of the TCP/IP protocol family. TCP handles data transport between communication partners (applications). TCP is a session-based transmission protocol, i.e. it sets up, monitors and terminates a connection for transporting data.

See also: UDP

TCP/IP

Protocol family on which the Internet is based. IP forms the foundation for each computer-to-computer connection. TCP provides applications with a reliable transmission link in the form of a continuous data stream. TCP/IP is the basis on which services such as WWW, Mail and News are built. There are other protocols as well.

Tunneling

Tunneling is a procedure in which the data traffic of the one Protocol is transmitted with the help of a different protocol. For example, data packets of a private network can be packed in IP packets and transported over the Internet as if in a tunnel. Tunneling procedures are used nowadays for the secure transmission of data in a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The IP packets from the local network are encrypted using a tunneling protocol (e. g. PPTP) before being sent over the Internet.

UDP

User Datagram Protocol

UDP is a Protocol of the TCP/IP protocol family that handles data transport between communication partners (applications). Unlike TCP UDP is a non-session based protocol. It does not establish a fixed connection. The data packets, so-called datagrams, are sent as a Broadcast. The recipient is responsible for making sure the data is received. The sender is not notified about whether it is received or not.

UPnP

Universal Plug and Play

107