TCP/IP: (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) TCP/IP is the standard network protocol for network connections via the Internet. TCP/IP, like all communications protocols, is a set of rules governing the organization and formatting of data, and exactly how the data should be transmitted and received through the network, by computers and other devices. Recent versions of Microsoft Windows (Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP) have a TCP/IP protocol "stack" built-in, making it relatively easy to establish Internet connections. Each identifiable device (computer, cell phone, switch, router....) connected to the Internet has a unique IP (Internet Protocol) address. IP addresses are assigned to devices via two methods: In special cases, and in some older networks, fixed ("static") IP addresses are manually assigned by network administrators. More commonly, devices request and are granted IP addresses from DHCP servers.

DHCP: (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). The term "host" here means a device connected to the Internet, such as a personal computer. DHCP servers are responsible for automatically assigning IP addresses and other configuration information to computers and other "host" devices. In a large network (in a corporate, university or government environment, for example), one or more dedicated computers will act as DHCP servers. In a private residence, or in a cafe, the DHCP server will typically be implemented as software running on an Internet / broadband router. Such routers are generally pre-configured to automatically grant IP addresses to client computers and other devices, upon request. Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP are pre-configured to automatically broadcast requests for an IP address, in hopes that a nearby DHCP server will respond sympathetically.

Router: Generally speaking, routers manage the flow of, or "route", packets of data between networks, directing the packets toward their final destinations, such as personal computers and web servers. In recent years, the term "router" is very often used to refer to the Internet routers commonly used in homes and small business. These devices connect a LAN (local area network) in a residence or an office to a broadband WAN (wide area network) -- generally through either a cable modem or a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modem. Broadband accounts from ISPs (Internet Service Providers) typically offer just one IP address, but Internet routers contain DHCP servers to supply all of the devices on the local network (LAN) with unique IP addresses (which are outside the address range used for the Internet). They also use the NAT (Network Address Translation) protocol to manage the "translation" between the one IP address from the ISP to the many IP addresses assigned to computers and other devices on the user's local network. This type of router typically offers ports for either four or eight wired Ethernet connections to client computers.

Wireless access point: In Ethernet LANs with wireless portions, wireless access points (APs) act as switched hubs. They are typically connected to an Internet router via an Ethernet cable. They contain Wi-Fi (802.11) radio transceivers which establish wireless connections with nearby Wi-Fi-enabled computers and other devices. Incoming data from the broadband network is received at the cable modem or DSL modem, and is passed on to the router, which distributes it directly to computers via wired Ethernet connections, and (optionally) also to one or more wireless APs, which transmit the data in turn to nearby computers and other devices which have been configured with Wi-Fi adapters. Recently, wireless APs and Internet routers are often packaged together into one compact box, typically called a 'wireless router'. Combination broadband modem, router and AP products are also available.