Bandwidth
The maximum data-carrying capacity of a connection. It is commonly expressed in Mbps or Gbps.
REFERENCE
Network Glossary
Plain-language definitions for the terms you see in speed tests, routers, Wi-Fi settings and troubleshooting guides.
Download speed
How quickly data travels from the internet to your device.
Upload speed
How quickly your device sends data to the internet.
Latency
The delay between sending data and receiving a response. Lower latency generally feels more responsive.
Ping
A common test used to estimate round-trip network delay to another host.
Jitter
Variation in latency over time. High jitter can hurt calls, gaming and live streaming.
Packet loss
Data packets that never reach their destination. Even a small amount can disrupt real-time apps.
IP address
A numerical address used to identify a device or network endpoint.
Public IP
The internet-facing IP address seen by external services.
Private IP
An address used inside a local network, such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x.
DNS
The Domain Name System translates names such as example.com into IP addresses.
DHCP
A service that automatically gives devices network settings such as IP address, gateway and DNS.
Router
A device that moves traffic between networks, commonly between your home network and ISP.
Gateway
The device or address your local network uses to reach other networks.
NAT
Network Address Translation lets multiple local devices share one public internet address.
ISP
Internet Service Provider — the company that provides your internet connection.
Wi-Fi
A wireless networking technology used to connect devices to a local network.
2.4 GHz
A Wi-Fi band with longer range and more interference than higher-frequency bands.
5 GHz
A Wi-Fi band that often offers more capacity and less interference but shorter range than 2.4 GHz.
TCP
A connection-oriented transport protocol designed for reliable delivery.
UDP
A lightweight transport protocol that prioritizes low overhead over guaranteed delivery.
Mbps
Megabits per second, a common unit for internet speed.
MB/s
Megabytes per second. One byte contains eight bits, so MB/s is not the same as Mbps.
Bufferbloat
Extra latency caused when network queues become too full during heavy upload or download activity.