Packet ——— (1) A group of bits sent by a modem that comprise a byte of information. (2) A group of bytes sent by a file transfer protocol.
Packet data networks —————————— Also called Packet Switching Networks (PDN). Value added networks offering long distance computer communications. They let users access a remote computer, by dialing a local node, or access point. The packet data networks use high speed digital links, which can be land lines or satellite communications, to transmit data from one computer to another using packets of data. They use synchronous communications, usually with the X.25 protocol. The routes are continually optimized, and successive packets of the same message need not necessarily follow the same path.
Packet switching ———————— Sending data in packets through a network to some remote location. The data to be sent is subdivided into individual packets of data, each having a unique identification and carrying its destination address. This allows each packet to go by a different route. The packet ID lets the data be reassembled in proper sequence.
PC — Personal computer.
PDN —- See Packet data networks.
Postmaster ————— On the Internet, the person responsible for handling electronic mail problems, answering queries about users, and other related work at a site.
Prompt ——— Several times during interactive dialogs with online services, the flow of data stops while the host computer waits for commands from the user. At this point, the service often presents the user with a reminder, a cue, a prompt. These are some typical prompts:
?
!
WHAT NOW?
(Read) next letter -
ulrik 1>
System News - 5000>
Enter #, <H>elp, or <CR> to continue?
Action ==> (Inbox)
Command:
Enter command or <RETURN>
—>
Protocol ———— A formal description of message formats and the rules two computers must follow to exchange messages. Protocols can describe low-level details of machine-to-machine interface (e.g., the order in which bits and bytes are sent across the wire), or high-level exchanges between allocation programs (e.g., the way in which two programs transfer a file across the Internet).
ProYam
———
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