Glossary of Terms

This glossary is here to make technical terms easier to understand. You don’t need a background in networking or computers to be part of VONet. Use this page anytime you run into a word that feels confusing.

Access Point

A device that lets phones, laptops, or other devices connect wirelessly to a network. You probably use one every day—most home Wi-Fi routers include one.

Antenna

A piece of hardware that sends and receives signals between devices. In a community network, antennas are used to connect buildings wirelessly, often across neighborhoods or even further.

Backhaul

The connection that links smaller parts of the network to a larger, faster backbone. Think of it like the road that connects your local street to the freeway. Without it, your neighborhood network can’t reach the internet or other areas.

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can move through a connection at once. It’s like water through a pipe—the bigger the pipe (more bandwidth), the more water (data) can flow.

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)

This is how big networks (like internet providers or community networks) talk to each other. It helps figure out the best paths to send your data. It’s like GPS for internet traffic between networks.

Bridge Mode

A setting where a router or device passes internet through without acting like a full router. This is useful in mesh networks so devices don’t try to manage their own separate networks.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

A service that gives devices an IP address automatically when they join a network. Without it, you’d have to manually enter network info every time.

DNS (Domain Name System)

The system that turns website names (like google.com) into actual addresses the network understands (like 142.250.72.14). It’s like the internet’s phone book.

Ethernet

A type of cable and port used for wired internet. Usually faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.

Exit Node

A special part of the mesh network that connects to the public internet. If your device needs to visit a website, your request goes through an exit node.

Firewall

A tool that watches and filters incoming and outgoing traffic. It blocks unwanted visitors and keeps the network safer.

Gateway

A device that links one network to another. In VONet, a gateway might connect a home mesh node to the wider internet.

Hub

A place in the network that connects multiple nodes together. Think of it like a major intersection or transfer station in a transit system.

IP Address

A unique number that identifies your device on a network. It’s like a digital mailing address.

IPv4 / IPv6

Two versions of the Internet Protocol used to assign IP addresses. IPv4 is older and uses shorter numbers (like 192.168.1.1). IPv6 is newer and supports more devices.

IXP (Internet Exchange Point)

A physical location where networks meet to exchange traffic directly. This helps data move faster and cheaper. VONet plans to run its own IXP to support local connectivity.

Line of Sight (LoS)

When two antennas have a clear, unobstructed view of each other. Wireless links work best with direct line of sight—trees, buildings, or hills can block the signal.

Mesh Network

A network made up of many small, interconnected nodes that pass data between each other. If one node goes down, traffic can usually reroute through others. It’s resilient and decentralized.

MikroTik

A brand of networking equipment used by VONet. Known for being affordable and flexible, especially for wireless links.

Modem

A device that connects your network to the internet, usually over cable, DSL, or fiber.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

A method that lets multiple devices share one public IP address. It’s common in homes and mesh networks.

Node

Any device or location that’s part of the mesh network. Nodes can send and receive data and may also pass traffic for others.

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)

A system routers use to decide the best path to send data inside a network. It’s dynamic, which means it adapts when parts of the network go down.

Packet

A small piece of data sent over the network. Everything you do online (like loading a website or sending a message) is broken into packets.

Peer / Peering

When two networks agree to send data to each other directly, without going through a third-party ISP. It makes traffic faster and more local.

Ping

A test that checks if a device or site is reachable over the network. It also tells you how long it takes to get a response.

Router

A device that manages traffic between your local network and other networks (like the internet). It decides where to send data.

Rooftop Node

A node installed on top of a building for better visibility and range. These often form long-range links to other nodes.

Signal Strength

How strong the wireless connection is between two points. Stronger signals mean faster and more stable connections.

Spectrum

The range of radio frequencies used for wireless communication. Community networks share parts of this range to connect devices.

SSID (Service Set Identifier)

The name of a Wi-Fi network that shows up when you try to connect.

Static IP

An IP address that doesn’t change. Often used for servers or special devices that need to be reliably found on the network.

SuperNode

A high-capacity node that connects many smaller nodes and often includes core services or exit points to the internet.

Throughput

The actual speed your network can deliver at a given time. Not just the theoretical max, but the real-world speed you see.

Ubiquiti

Another brand of wireless networking gear. Known for its long-range antennas and ease of setup in outdoor environments.

Uplink

A connection from a node or smaller network out to the internet or backhaul. It carries data upstream.

Virtual Machine (VM)

A simulated computer running inside a real one. VONet uses VMs to host network services without needing separate physical servers.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A tool that creates an encrypted, private tunnel between your device and another network. Helps with privacy and remote access.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A network that covers a large geographic area. The internet is the biggest example.

Wireless Link

A data connection between two points using radio waves instead of cables. Used heavily in mesh networks to bridge gaps.