Hops - An intermediate connection in a string of connections linking two network devices. On the Internet, for example, most data packets need to go through several routers before they reach their final destination. Each time the packet is forwarded to the next router, a hop occurs. The more hops, the longer it takes for data to go from source to destination. You can see how many hops it takes to get to another Internet host by using the ping or traceroute utilities.

Local Area Networks (LAN) - A high-speed communications system designed to link computers
and other data processing devices together within a small geographical area such as workgroups,
departments, or a single floor of a building.

IEEE 802.3 – An Ethernet specification commonly defined by the institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE). The 802.3 specification covers rules for configuring Ethernet
LANs and the type of media used on that LAN.

Interoperability – The ability for software and hardware (on multiple machines from multiple
vendors) to communicate.

ISDN - Abbreviation of integrated services digital network, an international communications
standard for sending voice, video, and data over digital telephone lines.

ISP - Short for Internet Service Provider, a company that provides access to the Internet.