802.1x
An IEEE standard designed to enhance security of wireless networks by authenticating a user to a central authority.
802.11
A group of IEEE standards that define how to transfer Ethernet 802.3 data over wireless networks.
802.3
A group of IEEE standards that define the transfer of data over wired Ethernet based networks.
address prefix
The first portion of an IP address that allows the identification of that addresses type and therefore purpose.
ad hoc network
A group of wireless computers sharing data directly with each other without the use of a wireless access point.
Advanced sharing
A method for sharing folders that allows you to pick the specific options you want. NTFS permissions are not configured.
alternate IP configuration
A set of static IP configuration information that is used instead of APIPA when a computer is unable to contact a DHCP server.
arp
A command-line utility that can be used to display and manage the ARP table, which maps IPv4 addresses to physical MAC addresses.
attack surface
Parts of the computer, applications, and operating system components that can be attacked by hackers, viruses, and malware during their attempts to intrude on a computer system.
Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA)
A system used to automatically assign an IP address on the 169.254.x.x network to a computer that is unable to communicate with a DHCP server.
cable modem
A device that converts network signals from the cable company to a standard Ethernet.
Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR)
A notation technique that summarizes the number of binary bits in an IP address that identify the network an IP address belongs to, counted starting from the left-hand side of the IP address as written in binary form. The number of bits is written at the end of the IP address with a slash "/" symbol separating the two values (e.g. 192.168.1.0/24 or FE80::/64).
client
A client allows you to communicate with a particular service running on a remote computer.
Client for Microsoft Networks
The client that allows Windows 7 to access files and printers shared on other Windows computers by using the SMB protocol.
connection (network connection)
The clients, services, and protocols that are configured for a network card.
Create A Shared Folder Wizard
A wizard in Computer Management to create shared folders that does not configure NTFS permissions.
default gateway
A router on the local network that is used to deliver packets to remote networks.
Digital subscriber line (DSL)
A high-speed Internet connection over telephone lines.
Domain Name System (DNS)
A system for converting computer host names to IP addresses.
domain network
The location type that is used when a computer joined to a domain is on the domain network, for example, a corporate office.
DSL modem
A device that converts DSL signals to standard Ethernet.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
An automated mechanism to assign IP addresses and IP configuration information over the network.
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
The service that allows Windows 7 to share files and printers by using the SMB protocol.
getmac
A command-line utility that can be used to display the MAC address for network adapters on a system.
Home network
The location type that is used for highly trusted networks where security is minimal and convenient sharing with other computers is a priority.
homegroup network
A feature that allows file sharing between computers on a hoe network without a complicated setup process.
hostname
A command-line utility that can be used to identify the name of the computer.
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
A professional society that promotes and nurtures the development of standards used in the application of electronic technology.
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
A Windows 7 feature that allows multiple computers to share an Internet connection by performing NAT.
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
The standard protocol used on corporate networks and the Internet.
Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
An updated version of TCP/IPv4 with a much larger address space.
IP address
The unique address used by computers on an IPv4 or IPv6 network. An IPv4 address is commonly displayed in dotted decimal notation. For example, 10.10.0.50.
ipconfig
A command-line utility that can be used to display and manage IP address settings for network interfaces on a computer.
IPsec
A protocol that is used to secure and authenticate an IPv4 connection.
Link Layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver
The protocol responsible for discovering network devices on the network and determining network speed.
Link Layer Topology Discovery Responder
The protocol responsible for responding to discovery requests from other computers.
Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR)
A protocol that defines methods for name resolution of local neighboring computers without using DNS, WINS, or NetBIOS name resolution services. LLMNR can operate on IPv4 and IPv6 networks with the use of specially crafted multicast addresses to query client names on other computers.
location type
Describes the type of network: public, private, or domain. Different configuration settings are applied based on the location type.
modem
A device that converts computer signals to a format that can travel over phones (modulate) and also performs the reverse function (demodulate).
nbtstat
A command-line utility that can be used to display protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
netsh
A command-line utility that can be used to display, change, add, and delete network configuration settings on a computer, including basic and advanced settings.
netstat
A command-line utility that can be used to display protocol statistics and current TCP/IP network connections.
network address translation (NAT)
A system that allows multiple computers to share a single IP address when connecting to the Internet.
Network and Sharing Center
A central location to view network status and configure network settings.
network location awareness
The ability for Windows 7 to detect when it is connected to a different network and perform actions based on the change.
network bridge
A feature in Windows 7 that combines two dissimilar network types, such as wireless and wired, into a single network.
network discovery
A setting that controls how your computer views other computers on the network and advertises its presence on the network.
network driver
The software responsible for enabling communication between Windows 7 and the network device in your computer.
Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS)
An interface that supports communication between network protocols and network drivers.
nslookup
A command-line utility that can be used to view or debug the data returned from a DNS server in response to a DNS name resolution query.
pathping
A command-line utility that can be used to test IP communications between the computer running the utility and a remote target. In addition to the basic IP communication test, the pathping utility will trace the routers involved in establishing the IP communication path.
ping
A command-line utility that can be used to test IP communications between the computer running the utility and a remote target.
Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE)
A protocol used to secure connections over most DSL lines.
preshared keys
A combination of numbers, characters, and symbols that make up a passphrase that both sides of an authenticated and encrypted network connection must know to decode the data delivered between them successfully.
private network
The location type that is used for trusted networks where limited security is required, for example, a small office.
public network
The location type that is used for untrusted networks where high security is required, for example, a public wireless hotspot.
route
A command-line utility that can be used to display and manage the routing table.
router
Traditionally, a network device that moves packets from one network to another. The routers sold in retail stores are used to share an Internet connection by performing NAT.
routing table
A data table that is used by Windows 7 to select the next IP address data must be delivered to ultimately deliver data to a given target address.
Security Set Identifier (SSID)
A unique ID that identifies a wireless access point to the wireless networking clients that send data to it.
Server Message Block (SMB)
The protocol used for Windows-based file and printer sharing. Windows 7 includes SMB version 2.0.
service
Provides functionality to remote clients over the network.
Share With
A simplified way to share folders that configures share permissions and NTFS permissions.
subnet mask
A number that defines which part of an IP address is the network ID and which part is the host ID.
Teredo
A system to tunnel IPv6 addressed packets over an IPv4 network, even if NAT is used on the IPv4 network.
tracert
A command-line utility that can be used to trace the routers involved in establishing an IP communication path between the computer running the command and a target address.
Transport Device Interface (TDI)
A legacy interface that supports the NetBIOS protocol used by many older Windows applications.
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
A security protocol for wireless 802.11 networks that provides stronger security than WEP. WPA can be configured with a preshared key or with authentication from a central authority.
Windows Firewall
A host-based firewall included with Windows 7 that can perform inbound and outbound packet filtering. Home versions of Windows 7 are not able to perform outbound packet filtering.
Windows Firewall and Advanced Security snap-in
An MMC snap-in that is used to configure Windows Firewall and IPsec rules.
Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)
A system used to resolve computer NetBIOS names to IP addresses.
Windows Sockets (Winsock) user mode
An interface that supports communication between user applications such as a Web browser and the TCP/IP protocol.
Winsock Kernel (WSK)
An interface that supports communication between kernel mode software, such as clients and services, and the TCP/IP protocol.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
A security protocol for wireless 802.11 networks that provides weak authentication methods in comparison to WPA. WEP uses preshared keys that attackers have been able to decipher without much difficulty. The use of WEP is discouraged where wireless security is a major consideration.
Wireless Access Point
A device that allows wireless devices to connect through it to a wired network.
work network
The location type that is used for trusted networks where limited security is required, for example, a small office.