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This glossary defines technical terms and acronyms related to networking. You may encounter some of these as you read through our documentation.
Term/AcronymDefinition
ARPAddress Resolution Protocol - A protocol that maps IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network segment.
ASNAutonomous System Number - A unique identifier assigned to an autonomous system (a network under single administrative control) for BGP routing.
AWSAmazon Web Services - A cloud computing platform provided by Amazon.
AzureMicrosoft Azure - A cloud computing platform provided by Microsoft.
BGPBorder Gateway Protocol - A routing protocol used to exchange routing information between different networks on the internet.
BFDBidirectional Forwarding Detection - A protocol that provides fast failure detection for network links and routing protocols.
CE-VLANCustomer Edge VLAN - A VLAN identifier used on the customer side of a network connection.
CIDRClassless Inter-Domain Routing - A method for allocating IP addresses and routing IP packets, represented with a slash notation (e.g., /30, /24).
Cloud RouterA virtual routing and switching core that intelligently directs traffic between connected resources like data center ports, cloud links, and internet connections.
CPECustomer-Provided Equipment - Networking equipment owned and managed by the customer that interfaces with the service provider’s network.
DDoSDistributed Denial of Service - A malicious attack that overwhelms a network or service with traffic from multiple sources, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
DIADedicated Internet Access - A dedicated, uncontended internet connection that provides exclusive access to allocated bandwidth with guaranteed performance.
DMZDemilitarized Zone - A network segment that sits between an internal network and the internet, often used to host public-facing services.
DNSDomain Name System - A system that translates human-readable domain names (like example.com) into IP addresses.
E-LineEthernet Line - A point-to-point Layer 2 connection that connects exactly two endpoints, providing transparent Layer 2 connectivity.
ELANEthernet LAN - A multi-point Layer 2 service that connects multiple endpoints in a single network segment, enabling any-to-any communication.
EVCEthernet Virtual Circuit - A logical connection that carries Ethernet frames between two or more UNIs.
EVPLEthernet Virtual Private Line - A point-to-multipoint service that supports multiple Ethernet Virtual Circuits per port using VLAN-based multiplexing.
EVPLANEthernet Virtual Private LAN - A service that allows customer CE-VLANs to establish discrete broadcast domains with service-multiplexing on UNIs.
FECForward Error Correction - A method of error control that adds redundant data to allow the receiver to detect and correct errors without retransmission.
FirewallA network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
FRRFast Reroute - A technology that provides rapid recovery from network failures, typically in under 50 milliseconds.
GCPGoogle Cloud Platform - A cloud computing platform provided by Google.
GigEGigabit Ethernet - A networking standard that supports data transfer rates of 1 gigabit per second.
HTTPHypertext Transfer Protocol - The protocol used for transmitting web pages and other content over the internet.
HTTPSHypertext Transfer Protocol Secure - A secure version of HTTP that uses encryption to protect data in transit.
ICMPInternet Control Message Protocol - A network protocol used to send error messages and operational information about network conditions.
IEEEInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - An organization that develops technical standards, including many networking standards.
IETFInternet Engineering Task Force - An organization that develops and promotes internet standards.
IPInternet Protocol - The principal communications protocol for relaying datagrams across network boundaries.
IPAMIP Address Management - A system for planning, tracking, and managing IP address space in a network.
IPv4Internet Protocol version 4 - The fourth version of the Internet Protocol, using 32-bit addresses.
IPv6Internet Protocol version 6 - The most recent version of the Internet Protocol, using 128-bit addresses.
ISOInternational Organization for Standardization - An international standard-setting body.
ITUInternational Telecommunication Union - A United Nations agency that coordinates global telecommunications operations and services.
JSONJavaScript Object Notation - A lightweight data-interchange format used for transmitting data between systems.
L2Layer 2 - The Data Link layer of the OSI model, which uses MAC addresses to forward data frames within the same network segment.
L3Layer 3 - The Network layer of the OSI model, which uses IP addresses to route packets between different network segments.
LANLocal Area Network - A network that connects devices within a limited geographic area, such as an office or building.
Layer 2Data Link Layer - A networking layer that uses MAC addresses to forward data frames within the same network segment or VLAN.
Layer 3Network Layer - A networking layer that uses IP addresses to route packets between different network segments or subnets.
LOA/CFALetter of Authorization/Cross-Connect Facility Assignment - Documentation that authorizes a service provider to establish a physical connection (cross-connect) at a data center or facility.
MACMedia Access Control - A unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller for use as a network address.
MEFMetro Ethernet Forum - An organization that develops technical specifications for carrier Ethernet services.
MMFMulti-Mode Fiber - Optical fiber designed to carry multiple light rays or modes simultaneously, typically used for shorter distances.
MPLSMultiprotocol Label Switching - A routing technique that directs data from one network node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses.
MPOEMinimum Point of Entry - The point where a service provider’s network enters a customer’s building or facility.
MTUMaximum Transmission Unit - The largest size packet or frame that can be transmitted over a network without fragmentation.
NaaSNetwork as a Service - A cloud service model where networking capabilities are provided as a service over the internet.
NANOGNorth American Network Operators’ Group - A forum for network operators to share technical information and best practices.
NATNetwork Address Translation - A method of remapping one IP address space into another by modifying network address information in IP packet headers.
NIDNetwork Interface Device - Equipment installed at a customer location to support network services, typically owned and maintained by the service provider.
NNINetwork-to-Network Interface - The interface between two service provider networks.
OMOptical Multimode - A classification system for multimode fiber (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4) that indicates fiber performance characteristics.
OSIOpen Systems Interconnection - A conceptual model that characterizes and standardizes the communication functions of a network.
OSPFOpen Shortest Path First - A routing protocol used to find the best path for packets as they pass through a set of connected networks.
PBRPolicy-Based Routing - A routing technique that forwards traffic based on policies rather than the standard routing table.
PEProvider Edge - A router at the edge of a service provider’s network that connects to customer networks.
PoPPoint of Presence - A physical location where a service provider’s network connects to the internet or other networks.
PortA physical connection point that acts as a bridge between an organization’s internal network and the service provider’s network infrastructure.
RESTRepresentational State Transfer - An architectural style for designing web services that uses standard HTTP methods.
RJ45Registered Jack 45 - A standard type of physical connector used for Ethernet network cables.
SLAACStateless Address Autoconfiguration - A method for IPv6 hosts to automatically configure their IP addresses without a DHCP server.
SMFSingle-Mode Fiber - Optical fiber designed to carry only a single ray of light, typically used for longer distances.
SNATSource NAT - A type of Network Address Translation that translates the source IP address of outgoing packets, allowing multiple devices to share a single public IP address.
SNIServer Name Indication - An extension to the TLS protocol that allows a client to specify which hostname it is attempting to connect to.
SSHSecure Shell - A cryptographic network protocol for operating network services securely over an unsecured network.
TCPTransmission Control Protocol - A connection-oriented protocol that ensures reliable, ordered delivery of data between applications.
TGWTransit Gateway - A network transit hub that simplifies network architecture and reduces peering relationships.
UDPUser Datagram Protocol - A connectionless protocol that provides a simple, unreliable datagram service.
UNIUser Network Interface - The interface between a customer’s network and the service provider’s network.
VIFVirtual Interface - A logical interface that carries traffic over a physical connection, commonly used in cloud connectivity services.
VLANVirtual Local Area Network - A logical network segment that groups devices together even if they are not on the same physical network switch.
VPCVirtual Private Cloud - An isolated virtual network within a public cloud environment.
Virtual CircuitA logical connection that enables traffic segmentation and connects various services and destinations over physical ports using VLANs.
WANWide Area Network - A network that spans a large geographic area, connecting multiple local area networks.
Web FilteringA service that provides granular control over web traffic by allowing you to define policies to block or permit access to specific URLs or categories of web content.