THE INTERNET KEY TERMS

IMPORTANT INTERNET TERMS

Point of Presence (PoP)
An access point to the internet
Network Access Point (NAP)
An interchange between networks within the
Internet. It allows ISPs to interconnect with each
Other.
Internet Protocol (IP)
The protocol used to route packets of information Across
the internet.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) The protocol which takes data from a users application
program and passes it to the IP for transfer across the
internet
File Transfer Control Protocol (FTP) A standard protocol that allows files to be transferred
between two computers on a TCP-based network.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Direct connection to the internet would be very Costly and
so ISPs provide a cost-effective gateway for people and
organisations to get onto the internet.
ISP Services
In addition to providing a gateway to the internet, ISPs
normally provide additional services such as email.
INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE
Server
A computer or program that runs purely to the serve the
needs of other computers. It runs special server software to
service the requirements of the users (clients).
Client
A computer that uses the services provided by the server
Router
A piece of hardware that connects two or more networks
Connecting backbone
The main connection data routes between large networks
on the internet and smaller networks in local regions
INTERNET CONNECTION METHODS
Description
Wireless

Used by wirelessenable devices

(computers, mobiles,
smartphones) to log
into the internet

Advantages

Disadvantages

Not fixed to a
stationary
computers. Can be
used wherever there
is a wireless hub that
is accessible.

Need to have access to a

wireless hub. Can be less
secure than wired
connections. Tents to
have slower data
transmission speed than

wired broadband
methods

Broadband

A wired connection to a
broadband supplier.
Normally the
connection is via a
network card in the
computer

Broadband
Requires a base that is
connections
wired in, so it is less
can give better
Flexible than wireless.
reception
and are usually faster
Than dial-up.

Dial up

A wired connection via

a conventional
telephone line, which
needs a modem to
convert signals to and
from analogue for
transmission.

Can use existing

telephone circuits,
which is useful in
some areas.

Ethernet
Bandwidth
Bit

An Ethernet cable is used to connect to a user to a network

A way of measuring home much data can be carried over a network
The amount of data transferred within a unit of time (i.e. bits per second)

Older technology gives

poor reception.
Conversion from digital
to analogue can cause
errors