TalkTalk Members - Jargon Buster

Jargon Buster

Take the mystery out of some of those alien broadband terms with our Jargon Buster.

ADSL: Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, a technical term for a Broadband connection through a conventional phone line. The technology reserves more bandwith for receiving data (e.g. browsing) then sending data.
Attachment: A file or document that is 'attached' to an Email. Attachments are usually viewable as an icon in your e-mail that allows you to open or save the document to you computer
Bandwidth: The amound of data that can be passed over a channel, in this case Broadband, in a given period of time. Its used to indicate how fast your Broadband connection is and is measured in bits per second (bps).
Blog: (abbreviation of Web Log) A Web site that displays in chronological order postings by a small subset of people, usually an individual. The content is usually on a specific theme or based around the users daily life. The blog may also give the ability for other people to comment on anything posted. Also used as a verb, "to blog", meaning to post on a Web log.
Bookmark: A way of recording your favourite web pages in a list in your Browser for future reference.
Broadband: An Internet connection that enables high speed data transfer - much faster than dial up.
Browser: The browser is a computer program used to view Web sites. The four most popular are Internet Explorer (IE), Firefox, Opera, and Safari, but others are available.
Cable Broadband: Broadband provided by a cable TV operator. The cable operator installs a separate line to your house. Cable operators usually offer higher speeds and complete packages of TV, Broadband and phone line.
Cable modem: A Modem that enables access to an Internet signal sent through a cable Network.
Capping: To ensure a reasonable service for all, or to make different tiers of access available, a Broadband service provider may limit the amount of Downloading you are entitled to per month. This is known as "capping" your downloads.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): DHCP is the way your Modem / Router automatically gets its IP Address and DNS settings from TalkTalk. It is also the way your PC, or any other attached hardware, gets an IP Address and DNS server from the Router. By using DHCP TalkTalk can update your connection and all your connected hardware to the latest DNS servers without you having to change a thing. DHCP is an Internet protocol for the configuration of computers (clients) that use TCP/IP. As each client connects to the Network their TCP/IP software requests an IP Address (as well as subnet masks, DNS Servers, default gateway, and other IP parameters) which is then dynamically assigned to them by the server. In fact, DHCP can be run dynamically, automatically (the client gets a fixed IP Address; the same one each time they connect) and manually (where the client selects the address and updates the server). Each client is identified by their MAC address. Assigning addresses dynamically simplifies Network administration of large IP Networks. Many ISPs, including TalkTalk, use dynamic IP Addressing.
Dial-up: A slow Internet connection through a standard phone line. Needs to be dialled up to, and logged on to. At least 20 times slower than a Broadband connection.
DNS (Domain Name System/Service/Server): DNS is the Internet's yellow pages. In the same way you use the Yellow Pages to convert a business name into a telephone number computers use DNS to translate hostnames (eg www.google.com) into IP Addresses (the physical address of the site you are looking for). Imagine if we had to remember the IP Addresses of our favourite sites! www.talktalkmembers.com is a lot easier to remember than 62.24.139.3 for example. DNS makes it possible to assign Internet names to organisations independently of the physical routing hierarchy represented by the IP Address. This is important as there are billions of IP Addresses, they can change daily, and new Domains are created daily. In fact, DNS is it's own Network; the busiest Network on the planet! If one DNS Server doesn't know how to translate a Domain name, it asks another one, until the correct IP Address is returned. So-called root nameservers are queried when looking for .co.uk (a top-level Domain), which in turn speak to authoritative servers for .talktalkmembers, which then query servers to resolve the IP Address of www. This avoids the need for a central server to be updated and consulted. In practice, DNS queries are cached, both by the DNS servers and locally on your Browser and Email program. If your local cache doesn't contain the answer to your request, the operating system will send the request to one or more designated DNS servers. TalkTalk provide the addresses of it's DNS servers automatically using DHCP.
Domain: The address of a specific website is known as its domain name.
Downloading: When data is transferred from the Internet to your computer (e.g. in the form of a music file)
Email: Electronic mail that can be sent from computer to computer, regardless of location, using an Internet user's email address.
Encryption: Data can be encrypted so that only the sender and the intended recipient can read/alter it.
Fair Usage Policy: Broadband providers who offer 'unlimited' downloads employ these to ensure users don't download an excessive amount. They have the power to limit a user's Bandwidth if someone exceeds their download limit. This will result in slower speeds for the user.
FEC (Forward Error Correction): There are many points at which noise and interference potentially affect Broadband data transmissions. Forward Error Correction (FEC) improves reliability by introducing and transmitting a known structure into the data packets. This structure helps the receiver detect and even correct any errors in the data caused by the noise during the transmission. Although FEC uses some Bandwidth, as the check and correction method is sent with the data there is a reduced need for retransmission, this enables low Latency communication.
Firewall: Hardware and/or software that you can use to control what information goes in and out of your computer via your Internet connection.
GB (Gigabyte): A unit of computer information or storage equal to one billion bytes. You will find download limits are measured in gigabytes.
GIF: A format in which images can be created on a computer. Often used to create very short, basic animations.
Hard drive: The internal storage device of your computer, where all your information is kept.
Homepage: The front or first page of any website. This page is often used as an index page to allow you to navigate a Web site. Browsers refer to the homepage as the default page loaded when the Browser is opened or the HOME button is hit in the Browser. Sometimes used to refer to a persons own Web page.
Hyperlink: Pieces of text or images that you can click on to open a web page or see some media. Text is usually highlighted and underlined.
Internet: A global Network of connected computers sharing information via websites, Email and various other methods.
Internet radio: You can listen to many commercial and non-commercial radio stations over the Internet, including digital stations.
IP Address: An IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique numeric identifier for a computer on a Network. In order for computer to communicate they need a unique address so every computer connected directly to the Internet is assigned a unique numeric address. The address is comprised of 4 groups of digits from eg. "96.12.43.10"
ISP (Internet Service Provider): The technical term for a company that provides Internet access, web space or web site hosting for business and home users.
JPEG: An image format you can choose when saving graphics on your computer and one of the most common types. When asked to submit an image, e.g. to a photo album website, it may need to be in a specific image format.
JPG: Another term for JPEG. This is the common file extension for JPEG files eg. NiceImage.jpg
Kb (Kilobit): A unit of data transfer usually used to describe slower Broadband connections. These connections are measured in kilobits per second (kbps).
KB (Kilobyte): A unit of computer information or storage equal to 1024 bytes.
LAN (Local Area Network): A Network of computers that are connected together in a small area such as a home or office. These will be able to send data between each other at faster speeds than over the Internet, and often have more file sharing abilities.
Latency: The latency of a connection is the time for IP packets to be sent and received. Network latency can occur at the Network interfaces, Routers, Firewall/proxy servers. Routing latency occurs as packets are examined for destination address and other information before being directed to the proper route. A number of factors can affect latency; packet size, link speed, link length, queued routing, packet loss due when the Network connection is poor quality or congested, buffering of data packets on the receiving end of a connection, security checking (where a Firewall or proxy must receive, decode, examine, validate, encode and send every packet). You can measure the latency between each intermediate point on a connection for a particular packet size using a traceroute command.
Linux: A lesser used operating system, more geared towards IT professionals. Linux is free and open source - meaning it can be edited by users when necessary.
MAC (Migration Authorisation Code): The name of the code given to ADSL Broadband users by their current provider when they want to switch provider.
Mac OS: The most recent development of the operating system used on Macintosh computers - these are less prolific than Windows PCs.
MB (Megabyte): A unit of data transfer equivalent to one million bytes. Faster Broadband connections are measured in mega bytes per second (Mbps).
Modem: A piece of hardware you need to connect to the Internet. Broadband providers will often include these as part of a Broadband package to help you connect to the Internet.
MP3: The most popular format for digital music files, though there are many other different ways to save music files.
MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit): MTU is a measurement (in bytes) of the largest packet of data that a specific layer of a communications protocol can transfer. TalkTalk MTU is 1432 bytes. A higher MTU brings higher Bandwidth efficiency. However, large packets can block up an interface for some time, increasing the lag for further packets of data. Too large an IP packet may exceed the MTU of the link over which the packet is sent, this could lead to difficulties accessing Email, Web, or DSL connectivity problems.
Network: The term that refers to any number of interconnected computers. The Internet is one huge network, but the term can also refer to a few computers connected in a household.
OS (Operating System): Software such as Windows XP which allows you to run other programs on your computer.
Phishing: A criminal activity where fraudsters send out Emails that direct users to web sites that are copies of trusted company sites. The aim is to collect sensitive information such as bank details and passwords.
Router: A piece of hardware that splits an Internet connection between different computers, enabling multiple users to use a single connection at the same time. It often incorporates an ADSL Modem. Users can also purchase a wireless router, allowing them to do this without the restriction of cables.
Search Engine: A website tool that allows you to search all other websites on the Internet for key words and phrases. e.g. Yahoo! and Google.
Spam: A form of Internet junk mail, usually advertising dubious special offers. Many Email servers will filter out these types of Email from your inbox to a separate junk mail folder.
Spyware: Spyware is the term used for computer programs downloaded via the Internet that are created to collect information about the user without their consent. These are often in the form of 'useful' looking tool bars that are free to download. Spyware can be detected and removed using special software similar to anti-Virus programs. Also known as 'adware'.
Streaming: Instead of Downloading a file as a whole, the information can be 'streamed' onto your computer and you can watch it as it plays. This doesn't store a permanent copy of the file on your PC.
Synchronisation Speed (Line Rate): When your ADSL Modem connects its given a set of parameters by the telephone exchange which it has to adhere to. These include a target Signal to Noise Ratio and a maximum Synchronisation (Sync) Speed (a.k.a. Sync Rate or Line Rate); the speed at which your ADSL Router communicates with the exchange. The sync speed of your ADSL Router is the absolute limiting factor in your Broadband speed, you cannot download or upload any faster than your sync speed. In fact we find that maximum download speeds are generally around 80% of sync speed. A number of factors affect your sync speed. Sync speed is greatly affected by the length of cable between you and the telphone exchange and the quality of cable and extension leads inside your house. Electrical noise also reduces the efficiency of your cable and means your Router have to sync at a slower speed to maintain a stable connection.
Toolbar: Usually the bar at the top of Windows you have open on your desktop. Allows you to change elements of whatever is open in the window and provides extra information about the program or operating system you are running.
Uploading: The opposite of Downloading, where you transfer information to the Internet. e.g. uploading pictures to a website.
URL: Universal Resource Locator. The technical term for the Web address you type into your Browser to access sites on the Internet. For example "www.talktalkmembers.com"
Virus: The term used for a computer program that replicates itself and is created to damage computers. The viruses can lie dormant in the computer, crash a whole system or cause other kinds of disruption.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): This technology allows you to make calls over the Internet through your computer. You can do this by signing up with one of the various different services available, many of which offer free calls.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Internet): A way for several computers to access the Internet without using expensive equipment or extra cables.
Windows: The most common operating system used on standard PCs. It's most recent evolution is Windows Vista, though most users run Windows 2000 or XP. Windows 98 is the oldest version you can use for most Broadband packages.
Wireless Hotspot: A region covered by wireless access points. If you are in one of these areas with a wirelessly enabled computer, you can connect to the Internet without needing a Modem or cables.

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