Article ID: 7

Added: January 17, 2008

Category: General, Connectivity, Email and Internet

 

 

Background

 

"What is a Subnet Mask?"

"What are differences between WiFi and Bluetooth?"

"What USB devices does Braillenote mPower support?"

 

Many beginning users, as well as veteran users asks these questions on the Braillenote List. This website will present answers, definitions and explanations of these "connectivity terms." These terms are categorized according to categories such as "General," "Standards," and so on.

 

 

General Terms:

 

Connectivity: Connectivity is setting up and configuring a device to connect to the Internet, and whether a device can use a connection device, such as modem to connect to the Internet.

 

World Wide Web (WWW): World Wide Web is a global connection of websites. Think of it as a spiderweb that connects the world.

 

Internet: The Internet is a series of connected websites.

 

Intranet: An Intranet is the connection of two or more computers on a network that is not connected to the Internet.

 

 

Network Terms:

 

Network: a network is a collection of two or more computers connected by a cable or wireless means.

 

Local Area Network (LAN): a LAN is a type of network that involves a group of computers at a close proximity. This network features a device called a router that connects multiple computers via either Ethernet cable or via wireless communication.

 

Router: a router is a network device that allows many computers to connect and share an Internet connection. Typically, these devices have an Ethernet port that is used to connect to the DSL modem (see below) and a group of LAN ports where computers can connect to each other, and, by extension, to the Internet via cables. A similar device, called a network switch exists which serves as replacement for a router if not availible. A wireless version (called wireless router or access point) does not have ports. Instead, a single Ethernet port exists to connect to the Internet via existing LAN line and a wireless antenna that allows computers with WiFi capability (see below) to use radio communication to connect to the Internet.

 

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): a DSL connection is a high speed phone line connection (typically above 128 Kilobits per Second (KBPS). A DSL modem is a modem that allow; a computer to connect to the Internet via high speed line.

 

 

Wireless Ethernet Terms:

 

WiFi (Wireless Fidelity): This radio communication allows computers to connect to each other and to the Internet without wires (think of it as wireless version of LAN).

 

Access Point: another name for wireless router.

 

Ad Hoc: this type of WiFi connection allows two computers (without routers) to connect to each other via WiFi.

 

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): This is a security mechanism that blocks unregistered users from accessing a WiFi network. This is accomplished by assigning five letter security key; the user needs to type the key in order to connect to the Internet.

 

WPA (WiFi Protected Access): This is another security setting that is stronger than WEP. Instead of five characters, WPA assigns nine letters for security key.

 

 

Bluetooth Terms:

 

Bluetooth: Bluetooth is a wireless communication that involves fewer devices and it operates like a serial connection (think of it as wireless version of serial cable). Typically, a Bluetooth device uses external device (where a user must connect a Bluetooth dongle on the USB port) or an internal tranceiver (where the component is inside).

 

Pairing: Pairing is the act of connecting one Bluetooth device to another. This may require passwords (see below).

 

Pass code (also known as just password): a pass code is a security key (or string, or sequence of characters) that needs to be typed on Bluetooth devices in order for them to connect. If one types a pass code on one device, the user of another device must type the same code.

 

Bluetooth Service: a service is a capability, or a feature that a device offers e.g. modem (for connecting to the Internet), printer (for printing or embossing via Bluetooth), etc. Braillenote supports ActiveSync (useful for using Braillenote as a braille display via Bluetooth), modem (for connecting to the Internet typically via cell phones) and printer services.

 

Object Exchange (ObEx): This Bluetooth service allows one Bluetooth device to send data such as files to another device.

 

Bluetooth Profile: another name for Bluetooth service.

 

 

Email Terms:

 

Email (Electronic Mail): An email is essentially electronic equivalent to regular paper mail. Instead of days, email is sent and received instantly.

 

 

 

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): the protocol that is used to connect and send email messages.

 

SSL (Secure Socket Layer): SSL is a security mechanism to prevent unauthorized users from accessing one's email connection.

 

Blind Carbon Copy (BCC): a blind carbon copy is a copy of an email that is sent to another person without the receiver noticing that other people were sent a copy of the message.

 

Spam: a spam is email that is sent by suspicious users in order to "fool" the recipient. Usually, spam is continuous and often contains advertisements.

 

 

Internet Terms:

 

IP (Internet Protocol): a standard which allows computers to connect to the Internet.

IP Address: an IP address is an address (think of it as an ID card) that is assigned in order to identify a computer on a network. Each computer has unique identifier, or an IP address, just as a person has identifying features and characteristics.

 

Subnet Mask: a subnet mask is a mask (or an ID) that identifies a sub network – a network that is under another network. For example, if a network covers a whole building that has multiple rooms, each room and computers within it will be identified as a sub network.

 

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): DHCP is a way of automatically assigning IP addresses on a network. With this protocol, a network assigns IP addresses to a computer automatically from availible IP addresses. A configuration where DHCP is not used and a user types a unique IP address for a computer is called "static IP address."

 

 

USB Terms:

 

USB (Universal Serial Bus): a connection standard which allows many devices to connect using a single, rectangular connector.

 

USB Host: a computer or a device which has the USB Type A (the big rectangular connector) which allows USB devices to connect to it (mPower has two such ports on the back just to have right of the serial port)

 

USB Client: the USB device itself which connects to a host computer (mPower and PK has such ports to connect to the computer for ActiveSync).

 

USB OTG (On The Go): This refers to a USB standard where a device can serve as both a client device and a host device at the same time.

 

Device Class: a device class is a way of categorizing USB devices according to what they do. For example, a USB keyboard is classified as Human Interface Device due to the fact that it accepts keyboard input; a thumb drive is called a Mass Storage Device because it allows a user to store files and other information on the device. In rare cases, a device may associate itself with multiple device classes E.G. a printer using Printer Class that may function as card reader, thus classifying as both a Printer and Mass Storage device at the same time.

 

Updated: January 17, 2008