Elk M1XEP - Manual (Page 23)

ELK-M1XEP Installation Manual Page 23
Glossary of Terms
Router- A communications device between networks that determines the best path between them for optimal performance. Routers are
used in complex networks such as enterprise-wide networks and the Internet.
Port - The identifier used by Internet transport protocols to distinguish among multiple simultaneous connections to a single destination
host.
MAC Address - unique number assigned by the manufacturer to identify each network interface on all network devices. The first few
digits of a MAC address typically identify the manufacturer. The remaining digits uniquely identify the specific interface on that individual
device. Also known as a "physical" address. (Example: 00409D:256EC0)
LAN (Local Area Network) - a computer network covering a local area, like a home, office or small group of buildings such as a college.
WAN (Wide Area Network) - a computer network covering a wide geographical area, involving vast array of computers. The best
example of a WAN is the Internet.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) - provides access to the Internet for others via some connectivity service(s). This might be in the form of
dial up services, web hosting services or the combination of both.
DSL (Digital subscriber line) - type of broadband connection that brings information to homes and businesses over ordinary copper
telephone lines.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - A string of characters that represents the location or address of a resource on the Internet and how
that resource should be accessed. World Wide Web pages are assigned a unique URL. Also known as an Internet address or web
address. (Example: http://www.elkproducts.com/)
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol) - the basic communication protocol of the Internet. This is a standard for
routing and data transfer around the world. The Internet Protocol is a connectionless protocol which provides packet routing. TCP is
connection-oriented and provides reliable communication and multiplexing.
IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) - the address of a computer attached to a TCP/IP network. Every client and server station must
have a unique IP address. (Example: 192.168.0.1)
"Static" IP Address - a permanent or non-changing IP address that is assigned to a node in a TCP/IP network.
Static IP addresses are generally used for servers, routers, etc.
"Dynamic" IP Address - an IP address that is automatically assigned to a client station in a TCP/IP network, typically
by a DHCP server.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - a standard method for assigning IP addresses automatically to the devices on a TCP/IP
network. As a new device connects, the DHCP server assigns an IP address from a list of available addresses. The device retains this IP
address for the duration of the session. Once the device disconnects the IP address becomes available for use again.
DNS (Domain Name System) - A DNS server lets you locate computers on a network or the Internet (TCP/IP network) by domain name.
The DNS server maintains a database of domain names (host names) and their corresponding IP addresses.
DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) - Dynamic DNS is a system for allowing an Internet domain name to be assigned to a
varying IP address. This makes it possible for other sites on the Internet to establish connections to the machine without needing to
track the IP address themselves. A common use is for running server software on a computer that has a dynamic IP address (e.g., a
dial-up connection where a new address is assigned at each connection, or a DSL service where the address is changed by the ISP
occasionally).
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - Internet standard protocol used to transfer electronic mail from one computer system to another.
Encryption - process of obscuring information to make it unreadable without special knowledge. Information is converted into a code
language before it is sent. The receiver has the same software and decodes the information after it arrives.
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) - An encryption protocol for transmitting documents securely over the Internet by electronically authenticating
each end of an encrypted transmission.
Account Number - A 4 digit number entered on the Telephone ID screen and the Central Station screen of the M1XEP setup. This
number is an identifier of the particular premise for which the alarm or event is being reported to the Central Station.
Time Server – A computer on the Internet that responds with standard universal time information to time requests.
NTP (Network Time Protocol) - The protocol for requesting and receiving the current time from a time server.