Jargon Explained

Bandwidth: This is a measure of the amount of information or data that can be sent over a network connection in a given period of time. Bandwidth is usually measure in bits per second

Bits: A bit is the smallest unit of information on a computer and is used to describe transmission speeds. 8 Bits make up one Byte

Bytes: 8 bits. A byte is generally used to describe storage space. 1 Byte can store one character i.e the word "byte" would take up 4 bytes of storage

Commercial Internet: The part of the internet provided by commercial services

Data: Information, particularly used to refer to information stored on a computer

E Research: Electronic research, which makes use of computers and electronic communications.

E Science: Science which has intensive use of computers. Also refers to science carried out in highly distributed network environments or science that uses extremely large data sets that require grid computing

Entry Point (JANET): Where Net North West connects the network to the JANET network

Ethernet: A type of Local Area Network. Connects computers, printers, workstations etc using cable

Gigabit: One billion bits or 1024 Megabits

Grid Computing: Using the resources of many computers in a network at the same time, to solve a single problem

Hub: The place where data arrives from one or more direction, and is forwarded out again in one or more other directions

Internet: A global network; an interconnection of large and small networks around the world

Local Area Network (LAN): A computer network within a limited area (e.g. within one building)

Megabit: Approximately one million bits (1,048,576 bits)

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): A network that covers one geographic area i.e. a city or a campus. Covers a larger area than a LAN but a smaller area than a WAN

Network: A group of computers connected together via telecommunications links so they can mutually share information

Spam: Unsolicited Email, like electronic junk mail

Telecommunications: The exchange of information over a distance via any cable, wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic systems

Upgrade: To install a newer and often improved version

Wide Area Network (WAN): A computer network that spans a long distance i.e. between cities or countries. Covers an area larger than a LAN or a MAN