Bandwidth |
Bandwidth
measures how much information can be carried in a given
time period (usually a second) over a wired or wireless
communications link.In digital systems, bandwidth is expressed
as bits (of data) per second. |
| Bps |
Bits
per second. In data communications, bits per second (abbreviated
Bps) is a common measure of data speed for computer modems
and transmission carriers. As the term implies, the speed
in Bps is equal to the number of bits transmitted or received
each second. Other measures include Kbps (Kilobits per second)
and Mbps (megabits per second). One kilobit per second is
equal to 1,000 Bps. One Mbps is equal to 1,000,000 Bps or
1,000 Kbps. |
| DE |
Distance Education |
| DSL |
Digital Subscriber
Line. DSL technology delivers high-speed Internet access. |
| Fiber Optic
Cable |
Fiber optic
technology uses glass (or plastic) threads (fibers) to
transmit data. A fiber optic cable consists of a bundle
of glass threads, each of which is capable of transmitting
messages modulated onto light waves.
It has several
advantages over traditional mtal communications lines:
- Fiber optic
cables have a much greater bandwidth than metal cables.
This means that they can carry more data.
- Fiber optic
cables are less susceptible than metal cables to interference.
- Fiber optic
cables are much thinner and lighter than metal wires.
- Data can
be transmitted digitally (the natural form for computer
data) rather than analogically.
|
| Frame Relay |
Data transmission
technique used to send digital information such as voice,
data, local area network (LAN), and wide area network
(WAN) traffic quickly and cost-efficiently to many destinations
from one port. |
| GPRS |
General Packet
Radio Service. A service that allows information to be sent
and received via a mobile telephone network. |
| Hit |
Term used to
describe the number of times a user visits a Web page. |
| HTML |
Hypertext Markup
Language, one of the language used to tag various parts
of a Web document so browsing software will know how to
display that document's links, text, graphics and attached
media. |
| ICT |
Information
and Communications Technologies. |
| Intranet |
Web-based information
stored on a local server that is available to everyone with
a network connection to the server. |
| IP |
Internet Protocol.
IP refers to the set of communication standards that control
communications activity on the Internet. An IP address is
the number assigned to any Internet-connected computer (See
TCP/IP below). |
| IPR |
Intellectual
Property Rights. Creative ideas and expressions that have
commercial value and receive the legal protection of a property
right. The major legal mechanisms for protecting intellectual
property rights are copyrights, patents, and trademarks.
Intellectual property rights enable owners to select who
may access and use their property and to protect it from
unauthorized use. |
| ISDN |
Integrated Services
Digital Network. ISDN is a set of standards for digital
transmission over ordinary telephone copper wire as well
as over other media. Users who install an ISDN adapter (in
place of a modem) can see highly-graphic Web pages arriving
very quickly. ISDN requires adapters at both ends of the
transmission so your access provider also needs an ISDN
adapter. |
| Ku-band |
Pronounced "Kay-you
band". One of two common satellite frequency bands
(C-band is the other). Ku-band earth stations use the 14
GHz frequency band to transmit and the 12 GHz frequency
band to receive. |
| LAN |
Local Area Network |
| NEPAD |
New Partnership
for Africa's Development |
| NICI |
National Information
and Communications Infrastructure |
| OPAC |
Online Public
Access Catalogue. An online bibliography of a library collection
that is available to the public via computers. |
| POP |
Point of Presence.
POP is a service provider's location for connecting to users.
Generally, POPs refer to the location where people can dial
into the provider's host computer. Most providers have several
POPs to allow low-cost access via telephone lines. |
| TCP/IP |
Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP is the basic
communication language or protocol of the Internet. |
| VSAT |
Very Small Aperture
Terminal. A satellite communications system that handles
data, voice, and video signals. |
