Internet & Networking terms
139 Internet & Networking terms explained in plain English.
- 2G/3G/4G/5G historyMobile network generations mark major technology shifts: 2G brought digital calls and SMS, 3G enabled mobile internet, 4G LTE made video streaming viable, and 5G dramatically increases speed and capacity to support IoT, autonomous vehicles, and dense urban connectivity.
- 4G vs 5G4G and 5G are generations of mobile network technology that provide wireless internet to your phone, tablet, and other devices when you are away from Wi-Fi. 4G has been the standard since the early 2010s, offering reliable speeds for streaming and browsing. 5G is the newer generation, offering significantly faster speeds, lower delays, and the ability to connect many more devices at once.
- Amazon CloudFrontCloudFront is AWS's CDN.
- AnsibleAnsible automates repetitive IT tasks -- configuring servers, deploying applications, managing packages -- using simple YAML files called playbooks.
- Apache KafkaApache Kafka is an open-source distributed event streaming platform.
- Apache SparkApache Spark is an open-source distributed data processing engine.
- AV1AV1 is a next-generation video codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media (Google, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Mozilla, and others).
- AWSAWS is Amazon's cloud computing platform.
- AWS CloudFormationCloudFormation is AWS's native infrastructure-as-code (IaC) service.
- AWS LambdaLambda is AWS's serverless compute service.
- Azure DevOpsAzure DevOps (formerly Visual Studio Team Services) is Microsoft's all-in-one DevOps platform.
- Azure FunctionsAzure Functions is Microsoft's answer to AWS Lambda.
- Bandwidth aggregationBandwidth aggregation (also called link aggregation, bonding, or trunking) combines multiple physical network connections to act as a single logical connection.
- BGPBGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the protocol that makes the internet work as a network of networks.
- BigQueryBigQuery is Google Cloud's analytics database.
- Bluetooth Low EnergyBLE is a variant of Bluetooth designed for devices that send small amounts of data occasionally -- fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, beacons, smart locks, and IoT sensors.
- BroadbandBroadband is a high-speed internet connection that is always on, unlike the older dial-up connections that tied up your phone line and were painfully slow.
- Captive portalA captive portal is a web page that appears when you connect to certain Wi-Fi networks, such as at hotels, airports, cafés, and libraries, asking you to accept terms, enter a room number, watch an ad, or log in before you can use the internet.
- CDN (Content Delivery Network)A CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a network of servers spread around the world that stores copies of website content — like images, videos, and web pages — so that it can be delivered to users from a location close to them.
- Client vs ServerIn networking, a client is a device or program that requests information or a service, and a server is a device or program that provides that information or service in response.
- CloudflareCloudflare is a network services company that operates one of the world's largest content delivery networks.
- DatabricksDatabricks is a cloud platform for large-scale data engineering and machine learning.
- DatadogDatadog is a monitoring and security platform delivered as a SaaS product.
- DHCPDHCP, the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, is the system that automatically gives devices an IP address and other network settings, such as the router's address and DNS servers, when they join a network.
- DigitalOceanDigitalOcean is a cloud provider targeted at developers, startups, and small-to-medium businesses who find AWS and Azure overwhelming.
- DisplayPortDisplayPort is a digital display interface used mainly for connecting computers to monitors.
- DNS (Domain Name System)DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it translates the website names you type (like google.com) into the numerical addresses that computers actually use to find each other.
- DNS over HTTPSDNS over HTTPS (DoH) sends DNS queries over encrypted HTTPS connections instead of plaintext UDP.
- DNSSECDNSSEC, short for Domain Name System Security Extensions, adds digital signatures to DNS, the internet's address book.
- DOCSIS (cable internet)DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) is the standard that cable companies use to provide internet over coaxial TV cable infrastructure.
- Dolby AtmosDolby Atmos is a spatial audio format that goes beyond traditional surround sound by treating sounds as three-dimensional objects.
- Domain NameA domain name is the human-readable address of a website, like google.com or bbc.co.uk.
- Dynamic vs static routingStatic routing means a network administrator manually enters every route into each router -- simple but doesn't adapt to failures.
- EC2 (cloud compute)EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) is AWS's virtual machine service.
- Edge computingEdge computing means processing data near where it's produced, on the device itself, in a local server at a store or factory, or at a nearby network site, instead of sending everything to a distant cloud data centre.
- EPUBEPUB is the standard file format for e-books, used by Kobo, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and public library e-book systems.
- eSIMAn eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a SIM chip built permanently into a phone, watch, tablet, or other device that can be programmed with a carrier's profile over the air.
- Failover / redundancyRedundancy means having backup components so that when one fails, the system keeps running.
- Fiber to the homeFiber to the home (FTTH) runs a glass fiber optic cable from the ISP's network directly to your home or business.
- Fibre Optic InternetFibre optic internet sends data using pulses of light through thin glass or plastic strands, rather than electrical signals through copper wires.
- FirebaseFirebase is Google's backend-as-a-service platform for building mobile and web apps.
- FirewallA firewall is a security system that monitors network traffic and allows or blocks it based on rules, such as which programs, addresses, or ports may connect.
- FTP / SFTPFTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the original internet standard for uploading and downloading files.
- GitHub ActionsGitHub Actions is GitHub's built-in CI/CD (continuous integration and deployment) system.
- GitLab CIGitLab CI/CD is GitLab's automation system for building, testing, and deploying code.
- Google CloudGoogle Cloud Platform (GCP) is Google's public cloud offering.
- Google Kubernetes EngineGKE is Google Cloud's fully managed Kubernetes service.
- GPS / GNSSGPS (Global Positioning System) is the US satellite navigation network.
- GrafanaGrafana is a visualization platform for operational data.
- H.264 / H.265H.264 (AVC) and H.265 (HEVC) are video codecs -- algorithms that compress video for storage and streaming.
- HDMI versionsHDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the cable that connects your TV to a streaming device, your monitor to a PC, or a projector to a laptop.
- HDR10 / Dolby VisionHDR (High Dynamic Range) video formats allow displays to show much brighter highlights and deeper blacks simultaneously, producing images closer to what the human eye sees in real life.
- HerokuHeroku is a cloud platform where you deploy applications by pushing code to Git -- no server configuration required.
- Hosting / Web HostingWeb hosting is the service that stores your website's files on a server and makes them accessible to anyone on the internet.
- How the Internet WorksThe internet is a massive global network that connects millions of computers and devices so they can share information with each other.
- HTTP vs HTTPSHTTP and HTTPS are both protocols your browser uses to communicate with websites.
- iCalendar (ICS)ICS (iCalendar) is the file format and protocol standard that calendar apps use to share events.
- IMAP vs POP3IMAP and POP3 are the two protocols for retrieving email.
- Internet exchange point (IXP)An internet exchange point (IXP) is a physical location, usually in a data centre, where internet providers, content companies, and other networks connect to each other to exchange traffic directly.
- Internet service provider (ISP)An internet service provider (ISP) is a company that connects homes and businesses to the internet, using technologies such as fibre, cable, DSL, fixed wireless, cellular, or satellite.
- IP AddressAn IP address is a unique set of numbers assigned to every device connected to the internet or a local network.
- IPv6IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, is the newer system for giving every device on the internet an address.
- JenkinsJenkins is an open-source automation server used to build, test, and deploy software.
- JitterJitter is the inconsistency in how long packets take to travel across a network.
- JWTA JWT (JSON Web Token) is a small, self-contained package of information -- like a user's ID, role, and expiry time -- cryptographically signed so the recipient can verify it wasn't tampered with.
- LAN vs WANLAN stands for Local Area Network — a network that covers a small area like a home, office, or school building.
- Last-mile connectivityLast-mile connectivity is the connection between an internet service provider's central network and the end user's premises.
- LatencyLatency is the delay between sending a request and receiving a response — the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another on a network.
- LDAPLDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is a protocol for accessing directory services -- structured databases of users, groups, computers, and other network resources.
- Load BalancerA load balancer is a system that distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers so that no single server gets overwhelmed.
- MAC AddressA MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier permanently assigned to every network adapter — the hardware in your device that connects it to a network.
- Matter (smart-home standard)Matter is the smart-home standard that makes devices from different manufacturers work together.
- Mesh Wi-FiMesh Wi-Fi is a home or small-office networking system that uses several units, often called nodes or satellites, placed around a building to form a single Wi-Fi network with one name and password.
- Microsoft AzureAzure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform.
- MIDIMIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol for transmitting musical performance data.
- Mobile hotspotA mobile hotspot turns a phone, tablet, or small dedicated device into a Wi-Fi access point that shares its cellular data connection with other devices, such as a laptop.
- ModemA modem is the device that connects your home or office to your internet service provider, translating the signals that travel over cable, phone, or fibre lines into digital data your router can use.
- MongoDBMongoDB is a NoSQL database where data is stored as documents (JSON-like objects) rather than rows in tables.
- MPLSMPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a technique used in enterprise WANs and carrier networks to route traffic along pre-defined paths using short label identifiers rather than full IP lookups at each hop.
- MQTTMQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is a communication protocol built for IoT.
- MVNO vs carrierAn MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is a wireless carrier that doesn't own network infrastructure.
- MySQLMySQL is an open-source relational database management system.
- Net neutralityNet neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should treat all legal internet traffic equally, without blocking, slowing down, or charging extra for particular websites, apps, or services.
- NetlifyNetlify is a cloud platform for deploying websites and web apps.
- NetworkA network is a group of computers and devices connected together so they can share information and resources with each other.
- Network address translation (NAT)Network address translation (NAT) is a technique routers use to let many devices on a private network share a single public internet address.
- Network Cable (Cat5, Cat6)Network cables (also called Ethernet cables) are the physical wires that connect computers, routers, switches, and other devices on a wired network.
- Network monitoringNetwork monitoring tools continuously watch routers, switches, servers, and links -- collecting metrics like bandwidth utilization, error rates, latency, and availability.
- Network SwitchA network switch is a device that connects multiple computers and devices on the same local network and directs data between them efficiently.
- NginxNginx (pronounced 'engine-x') is a web server and reverse proxy.
- OAuth 2.0OAuth 2.0 is a protocol that lets one application act on your behalf with another application, without sharing your password.
- Open RANOpen RAN, or open radio access network, is an approach to building mobile networks where the equipment and software at cell sites follow open, standard interfaces, so carriers can combine parts from different vendors.
- OpenID ConnectOpenID Connect (OIDC) is an authentication protocol built on OAuth 2.0.
- OpenTelemetryOpenTelemetry (OTel) is an open-source project that standardizes how applications emit observability data -- traces (following a request through services), metrics (counters and measurements), and logs.
- OSI modelThe OSI model, short for Open Systems Interconnection model, is a seven-layer framework that describes how data moves across a network, from physical cables and radio signals at the bottom to applications such as web browsers at the top.
- Packet LossPacket loss happens when pieces of data travelling across a network fail to reach their destination.
- Packet switchingPacket switching is the network architecture that underlies the internet.
- PingPing is a simple network tool that sends a small piece of data to another computer and measures how long it takes to get a response.
- Port (Networking)A network port is a numbered channel that a computer uses to direct incoming and outgoing internet traffic to the right application.
- Port forwardingPort forwarding is a router setting that sends incoming traffic arriving on a specific port to a particular device on your network, such as a game console, security camera recorder, or home server.
- PostgreSQLPostgreSQL (often called Postgres) is an open-source relational database.
- Private 5GA private 5G network is a cellular network built and run for one organization, such as a factory, port, hospital, mine, or campus, rather than for the general public.
- PrometheusPrometheus is a monitoring and alerting tool.
- Proxy ServerA proxy server is an intermediary computer that sits between your device and the internet.
- Qi wireless chargingQi (pronounced 'chee') is the dominant wireless charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium.
- QUIC (HTTP/3)QUIC is a modern transport protocol, originally developed by Google, that runs over UDP and builds in encryption, faster connection setup, and better handling of lost packets.
- RCS messagingRCS, short for Rich Communication Services, is the modern successor to SMS and MMS text messaging.
- RedisRedis (Remote Dictionary Server) is an in-memory database.
- RFIDRFID (Radio Frequency Identification) uses radio waves to identify tagged objects.
- RoamingRoaming is the ability to use your phone outside your home carrier's network.
- RouterA router is a networking device that connects one network to another and decides where each piece of data should go.
- S3 (object storage)S3 (Simple Storage Service) is AWS's storage bucket service.
- SAMLSAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is the older enterprise standard for Single Sign-On.
- SASE (secure access service edge)SASE, pronounced 'sassy' and short for secure access service edge, is an approach that moves network security into the cloud and combines it with networking.
- Satellite internet latencySatellite internet beams broadband from space to remote locations without ground infrastructure.
- SD-WANSD-WAN, or software-defined wide area network, is a way of connecting multiple business locations using a mix of internet connections, such as fibre, cable, and cellular, managed by central software.
- ServerA server is a computer designed to provide services, data, or resources to other computers (called clients) over a network.
- SMTPSMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the protocol computers use to send email.
- SNMPSNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is how network monitoring tools communicate with routers, switches, servers, and printers to collect performance data and receive alerts.
- SnowflakeSnowflake is a cloud-based data warehouse platform.
- Spectrum / frequency bandRadio spectrum is the invisible resource all wireless communications share.
- SSHSSH (Secure Shell) lets you control a remote server over an encrypted connection.
- SSL/TLS certificateAn SSL/TLS certificate is a digital file that proves a website or server is who it claims to be and lets browsers set up an encrypted connection, shown as HTTPS.
- Submarine cableSubmarine cables are fibre optic cables laid along the sea floor that connect continents and islands, carrying the vast majority of intercontinental internet traffic.
- TCP vs UDPTCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are the two main transport protocols that carry data across the internet.
- Terraform CloudTerraform is the most popular infrastructure-as-code tool, supporting 100+ cloud providers with HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language).
- Thread (smart-home protocol)Thread is a low-power wireless networking protocol designed for smart-home devices such as door locks, motion sensors, thermostats, and light bulbs.
- ThunderboltThunderbolt is a hardware interface developed by Intel and Apple.
- Ultra-wideband (UWB)Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a short-range wireless technology that sends very brief pulses across a wide range of radio frequencies, letting devices measure distance and direction to each other with accuracy down to roughly 10 centimetres.
- URL (Web Address)A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address you type into your browser to visit a specific page on the internet.
- USB-CUSB-C is a connector shape (the oval plug) that supports multiple protocols: USB data transfer, video output (DisplayPort, HDMI), and power delivery up to 240W.
- vCardvCard (Virtual Card) is the open standard for digital business cards.
- VercelVercel is a cloud platform for deploying frontend web applications.
- VLAN (virtual LAN)A VLAN, or virtual local area network, divides a single physical network into separate logical networks.
- VoLTEVoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution) routes phone calls over the 4G LTE data network using IP rather than legacy 2G/3G voice circuits.
- Website vs Web AppA website is a collection of pages you visit to read information, like a news site or a company's 'About Us' page.
- Wi-FiWi-Fi is a family of wireless networking standards that lets devices such as phones, laptops, TVs, and smart speakers connect to a local network and the internet without cables, using radio signals from a router or access point.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 6 is the 802.11ax generation of Wi-Fi, designed to handle many connected devices at once more efficiently, with better speeds and battery life.
- Wi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7, based on the IEEE 802.11be standard, is the latest widely available generation of Wi-Fi.