Technical Dictionary
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  • Access Points (APs): Devices that transmit wireless signals.
  • Antenna: A small device that attaches to back of the Sky Angel STB, a computer, or a wireless router that receives wireless signals.
  • Attack Detection System (ADS): A security feature in modems/routers that functions like a firewall.
  • Audio/Video Sender (A/V): A device that can split and send video/audio signal wirelessly.
  • Bridge: The Internet signal passes through the modem and allows the router to handle the modem functions.
  • Bandwidth: The total amount of "load" a network can handle.
  • Bandwidth Cap: Limits the total amount of bandwith that can be downloaded for a certain period.
  • Wireless Channel: The signal path that wireless devices travel through.
  • Cable Internet: A type of Internet connection that comes from a cable provider.
  • Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS): Used by cable ISPs to provide cable internet or VOIP to cable subscribers.
  • Coaxial Cable: A round cable with a screw on each end. It is generally used by cable providers to connect either TV or Internet.
  • Demilitarized Zone (DMZ): Allows the Internet signal to bypass the router's security.
  • Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): A type of internet connection that is used by phone companies.
  • Download: Data that is transferred to one network from another.
  • Dynamic Host Configuratioin Protocol (DHCP): An IP Address that can change.
  • Extended Service Set Identifier (ESSID): A wireless network or Access Point's name.
  • Ethernet Cable: A standard networking cable (Cat-5) that is used to connect parts of a LAN network.
  • Fair Access Policy: Limits the amount of bandwith that a customer may receive. Some providers will either charge a customer for additional bandwidth use or reduce his/her internet connection to dial-up speeds.
  • Firewall: Checks and/or blocks certain information as it comes into a network.
  • Gateway modem: A modem that contains a built-in router. Normally, DSL will use a Gateway modem.
  • Kilobits Per Second (Kbps): This is a rate of speed that infromation can downloaded into a network. There are 1,000 kilobits in a megabit.
  • Internet Protocol Address (IP): This number contains the network's name, address, and how it reaches its destination.
  • Internet Service Provider (ISP): This is the company that allows Internet service to be sent to a customer's home.
  • Local Area Network (LAN): This refers to a customer's home network. On the STB, LAN refers to a wired connection.
  • Media Access Control Address (MAC): A somewhat unique number that identifies a device on a network.
  • Megabits Per Seceond (Mbps): This is a rate of speed that infromation can downloaded into a network. There are 1,000 megabits in a gigabit.
  • Mode: The signal type a wireless device uses. For our purposes, there are three main types: G, B, and N.
  • Modem: A device that translates an Internet Signal sent by an ISP into a usable Internet Connection for a customer's home network.
  • Network: 2 or more connected devices (computers, STB, printers, routers, etc).
  • Plug Internet: An internet connection that is transferred through electricity.
  • Port Fowarding: Sends information to specific ports by bypassing firewalls.
  • Port: A specific path that information uses to reach its destination.
  • Radio Tower Internet: An internet connection that uses radio towers to broadcast the internet signal.
  • Router: A device that connects and splits network signals between multiple devices simultaneously.
  • RCA cables: Uses a Yellow video cable and Red and White audio cables for sound. This produces the weakest picture. The Sky Angel STB must have the Red and White audio cables connected in order for the customer to have sound.
  • S-video Cable: A video cable that generally has a little better video picture than an RCA video cable (480i Standard).
  • Security: Protects a network from unauthorized access. This includes wireless security (WEP/WPA), firewalls, and ADS.
  • Satellite Internet: A type of internet that is provided through a satellite signal. This requires the customer to have a satellite system installed in his/her home and is more prevalent in rural areas where cable and DSL providers have not yet arrived.
  • Static IP: An IP address that cannot change.
  • Upload: Data that is transferred from one network to another.
  • Unable To Access Your Requested Page (UTARP): An error message that is a symptom of various problems.
  • Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): This refers to the wireless portion of a customer's LAN network. On the STB, WLAN refers to a wireless connection.
  • Wired Connection: A signal that is physically sent through a cable.
  • Wireless Connection: A signal that is sent via radio waves rather than physically through a cable.
  • Wide Area Network (WAN): A network that covers a large area. For example, a cable internet provider that provides internet to a city.
  • Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP): A standard wireless security method that encrypts a wireless network through a 10 or 26 digit password.
  • Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA): A stronger wireless security method that encrypts a wireless network through a stronger and more up to date means than WEP. WPA2 is currently incompatible with the Sky Angel STB.
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