Just like technology itself, technology terminology is always changing. So, we made a list of the tech terms and acronyms we think business owners, administrators, and employees should know. This is the third installment of a multi-part series we are calling Technology Terms, Simplified. You can find Part I here, Part II here, Part III here, and Part IV here. This series will cover terms and acronyms that we hope will educate, enlighten, and even pull back the curtain on how an MSP like The Purple Guys provides world-class support to its partners.
An access point (AP) is a piece of network hardware that allows Wi-Fi devices to connect to a wired network. This is the device that provides the wireless signal that mobile devices such as cell phones and laptops connect to in order to access network resources or the internet.
Service Set Identifier (SSID) is a complicated way of saying unique name for a wireless network. These unique names make it easy to know you are connecting to the right network from the list displayed on your device. Starbucks-WiFi, Lawfirm-Guest, and 1stFloorConfRoom are all common examples of an SSID.
A guest network is essentially a second Wi-Fi access point on your router. Each of your company’s network devices, like servers and computers, are connected and combined to make a private network. The guest Wi-Fi is segmented off, providing access to the internet, but not any of the resources on your company’s network. This segmentation removes the risk of unintended access to data and previously infected devices spreading their payload to other assets on your network.
A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is another name for a web address. URLs can be typed into a browser’s address bar to be directed to the desired site. For example, https://www.salvustg.com/blog is a URL you should visit for all things small business IT in Lee’s Summit and the Greater Kansas City area.
When it comes to navigating the internet, most humans use letters and names while computers use numbers and IP addresses. You can think of the Domain Name System (DNS) as the phonebook for the internet. When you type salvustg.com into a browser, DNS translates that name into an IP address so that your browser can locate and display the The Purple Guys homepage. It is also common knowledge in the IT industry that if there is a network issue, the culprit is probably DNS.
Keep an eye on our social media channels for Part VI coming soon. Make sure to follow our LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube channels for frequent news, tips, guides, and offers on all things IT for small businesses.
