MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-270): Installing ...

Glossary G-27
netstat A diagnostic command that displays protocol statistics and current Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network connections. This command
is available only if the TCP/IP protocol has been installed. See also nbtstat.
network In the context of computers, a system in which a number of independent
computers are linked together to share data and peripherals, such as hard disks
and printers.
network adapter card See network interface card (NIC).
Network Device Interface Specification (NDIS) A standard that defines an interface
for communication between the media access control (MAC) sublayer and
protocol drivers. NDIS allows for a flexible environment of data exchange. It
defines the software interface, called the NDIS interface, which is used by protocol
drivers to communicate with the network interface card. The advantage of NDIS is
that it offers protocol multiplexing so that multiple protocol stacks can be used at
the same time. See also Open Data-link Interface (ODI).
Network Bridge A feature that allows Windows XP Professional to connect network
segments (groups of networked computers) without having to use a router or
bridge.
network ID The portion of the IP address that identifies a particular host on a network
segment.
network interface card (NIC) An expansion card installed in each computer and
server on the network. The NIC acts as the physical interface or connection
between the computer and the network cable.
network interface printer A printer that is connected directly to the network via an
internal network adapter.
network layer The third layer in the OSI reference model. This layer is responsible
for addressing messages and translating logical addresses and names into physical
addresses. This layer also determines the route from the source to the destination
computer. It determines which path the data should take based on network conditions,
priority of service, and other factors. It also manages traffic problems such
as switching, routing, and controlling the congestion of data packets on the network.
See also Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model.
network monitors Monitors that track all or a selected part of network traffic. They
examine frame-level packets and gather information about packet types, errors,
and packet traffic to and from each computer.
New Connection Wizard A wizard in Windows XP Professional that can perform
much of the work of configuring a network connection for different situations.
NIC See network interface card (NIC).