New Residents
Definitions
These are definitions of words commonly used throughout the DHNet website.
802.1x
A security protocol used to limit who can sign on to our network. 802.1x authenticates and authorizes anyone who connects to a DHNet network port. If they fail authentication they will not be given internet access.
Apple Mac
The Apple Mac is a type of home computer. Apple Inc.'s marketing often distinguishes Apple Mac computers and PCs (such as with the "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" marketing campaign).
DHNet
This is the short-name for the Department of Housing and Residence Education Computer Network.
DHW
DHW is the SSID or wireless name for any DHNet wireless access point (WAP).
DMCA
The DMCA, or Digital Millennium Copyright Act, makes it illegal to circumvent protection for copyrighted works and increases penalties for copyright infringement. It was passed into US law in 1998.
DVR
A Digital Video Record (DVR), or Personal Video Recorder (PVR), records video in a digital format. An example is the TiVo.
Ethernet Cable
An ethernet cable looks like a phone cable, except thicker with bigger connections at each end.
Ethernet Port
An ethernet port is a place where you plug in an ethernet cable. This can be on your computer or the wall.
ExpressCard
ExpressCard is a standard for cards that extend the hardware functionality of your computer. They are a new standard that replaces PCMCIA.
Grid Application
A grid application distributes work across many different computers. Examples include Folding@home and SETI@home. Grid applications are not allowed on DHNet.
Local Area Network
A small network connecting a group of computers. May or may not connect to a wider network.
Mac OS X
OS X is Apple's most recent operating system. Versions include 10.3 (Panther), 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard). OS X is used on Apple Mac computers.
Operating System
An operating system is the software that controls your computer. For example, Windows XP is an operating system. Mac OS X is also an operating system.
PCMCIA Card
PCMCIA cards (or "PC Cards") are a standard for hardware cards that extend the functionality of your computer. PCMCIA is an older standard and has been replaced with ExpressCard.
PEAP
PEAP is a method of securely transmitting authentication credentials over a wired or wireless network. PEAP stands for Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol.
Personal Computer
The term Personal Computer was originally used to distinguish between large mainframe computers and home computers. In the present, it is often used to describe a computer using the Microsoft Windows operating system (as opposed to Apple Mac OS X).
Phone Cable
A telephone cable (called RJ11 or 6P4C) is a cable used to connect a telephone to a wall jack. Telephone cables are a different size than ethernet cables, and plugging them in to an ethernet port will likely damage it.
Phone Port
Telephone ports are used to connect a telephone to a telephone service. While the Department of Housing and Residence Education do not provide telephone services for most residence hall rooms, these ports can often be confused with Ethernet ports. Telephone ports are smaller and have less pins than ethernet ports.
Playstation
The Sony Playstation is a gaming console. The most recent version is the Playstation 3. Both the Playstation 3 and Playstation 2 have network support, but don't support wired 802.1x authentication. For this reason, they must use internet connection sharing to connect.
P2P (Peer 2 Peer)
Peer to peer software is a way to share files with other people. Examples include Bittorrent and eMule. Peer to peer software is not allowed on the DHNet network.
RADIUS
Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS) is a networking protocol that uses access servers to provide centralized management of access to large networks.
Router (Wired and Wireless)
A router connects a small Local Area Network to a wider network. Home routers typically have a few ethernet ports and wireless antennas. Routers are not allowed on the DHNet Network.
Server
A server is an application, device, or computer that provides services for other computers on a network. It also can host programs and illegal files. Servers are not allowed on DHNet.
SSID
An SSID is the name of a Wi-Fi network, such as "dhw" or "ufw". SSID stands for "Service Set Identifier".
Switch
A device that filters and forwards information in a Local Area Network. Switches connect parts of a Local Area Network. Switches are not allowed on the DHNet Network.
Ubuntu Linux
Ubuntu is a Linux distribution for which DHNet officially provides tutorials. Linux is a framework for a free operating system that anyone can contribute too. The most recent version of Ubuntu Linux is Hardy Heron (8.04), the previous version is Gutsy Gibbon (7.10).
UF Acceptable Use Policy
The UF Acceptable Use Policy (or AUP) describes the policies UF has in place for anyone on a UF computer, computer system, or network.
UF Student Conduct Code
The UF Student Conduct Code describes the expectations the University holds towards conduct and behavior.
USB
USB is a type of connection to your computer. It is identified with the 
symbol.
Wide Area Network
A network that covers a large geographic area, such as the Internet.
Wii
The Nintendo Wii is a modern gaming console. It does not support wired 802.1x and must use internet connection sharing to connect to DHNet.
Windows
Microsoft Windows is an operating system. The most recent version is Windows Vista, preceded by Windows XP. Major updates to Windows are released as "Service Packs", and are often denoted by "SP". For example, Windows XP Service Pack 3 will often be denoted as "Windows XP SP3".
Wireless Access Point
A wireless access point (WAP or AP) is a device that allows wireless communication devices to connect to a wireless network
WPA or WPA2 Encryption
WPA and WPA2 provide a way to secure communication over a wireless (Wi-Fi) network.
Xbox and Xbox 360
Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 are video game consoles. The Xbox 360 is the most recent. These consoles do not have wired 802.1x support and must use internet connection sharing to connect to DHNet.
