Basic Networking Terms

Before I explain how to use your Mac on a network, let me take a moment or two to introduce and define some of the networking terminology used throughout this chapter. You'll find these words used again and again whenever you deal with networking features.

AppleTalk

AppleTalk is a networking protocol used by Macintosh computers to communicate over a network. It's the software that makes networking work. Fortunately, it's not something extra you have to buyit's part of Mac OS X.

TCP/IP

TCP/IP is a networking protocol that is used for connecting to the Internet. Mac OS X computers can use both AppleTalk to communicate with local networks and TCP/IP to communicate with the Internet.

Bonjour

Bonjour (formerly Rendezvous) is a networking technology introduced by Apple with Mac OS X 10.2. It simplifies network setup by enabling your computer to automatically recognize other Bonjour-compatible network devices. Bonjour works over both Ethernet and AirPort.

Tip

• Bonjour can be used with iChat to initiate live chats with other Mac OS X users on your network. I cover iChat in Chapter 11.

AirPort

AirPort is the name for Apple's wireless networking technology. (It is also called WiFi.) Through AirPort, your Mac can join wireless networks. AirPort networks can operate as fast as 54 megabits per second.

Ethernet

Ethernet is a network connection method that is built in to all Mac OS X-compatible computers. It uses Ethernet cables that connect to the Ethernet ports or network interface cards of computers and network printers. Additional hardware such as routers and hubs may be needed, depending on the network setup and device.

Ethernet comes in three speeds: 10, 100 (also called Fast Ethernet), and 1000 (also called Gigabit Ethernet) megabits per second. The maximum speed of the computer's communication with the rest of the network is limited by the maximum speed of the cable, hub, and other network devices.

Tips

• Network hardware configuration details are far beyond the scope of this book. The information here is provided primarily to introduce some of the network terms you might encounter when working with your computer and other documentation.

• LocalTalk is an older Mac OS-compatible network method. Slow and supported only by older Macintosh models with serial ports, it is rarely used in today's networks and is not covered in this book.