Converts signals between analog (like cable or phone lines) and digital (like Ethernet). The bridge between your home network and the internet.

Routes data between networks. Most home “routers” are actually routers, switches, and wireless access points in one unit.

The wireless alternative to Ethernet. The 802.11 family of radio-based networking standards.

A wired networking technology for connecting devices in a LAN, usually via Cat5 or Cat6 cables.

A Local Area Network. A small network confined to one area, like your home or office.

A permanent ID number assigned to a device’s network card when it’s manufactured.

A unique string of numbers that identifies each device on a network. Like a virtual return address.

A powerful computer that stores websites and apps, “serves them up” to client devices upon request.

Your web browser, the program that requests resources from a web server and displays them to you.

Paying a company to store your website’s files and data on a server so it’s accessible 24/7.