Glossary

Here we explain the most important technical terms relating to the Internet, networks and WiFi.

proxy server

What is a proxy server? A proxy server is like an intermediate station for your Internet requests. When you call up a website, the request first goes to the proxy server. It then retrieves the website on your behalf and sends it back to you. How does a proxy server work For example, if you want to visit a website, the following happens: Normally, [...]

omnidirectional antenna

What is an omnidirectional antenna? An omnidirectional antenna is an antenna that distributes signals evenly in all directions. It is also called an omni antenna. This means that it emits radio signals in a 360° angle around itself - similar to a lantern that emits light in all directions. How does an omni-directional antenna work? An omni-directional antenna transmits the signal in [...]

Sector antenna

What is a sector antenna? A sector antenna is a special antenna that only transmits radio signals in a specific area, i.e. a "sector". In contrast to an omnidirectional antenna, which distributes the signal in all directions, the sector antenna only transmits at a fixed angle, such as 90° or 120°. How does a sector antenna work? Imagine a flashlight [...]

Switch

What is a switch? A switch works like a power strip that supplies multiple devices with power from a single socket. Instead of power, however, the switch distributes data to different devices that share a network socket and ensures that each device receives the data it needs. How does a switch work? A network switch [...]

Router

What is a router? A router is a device that ensures that information on the Internet gets to the right place. It works like a traffic cop, directing data traffic. When you surf the internet, your router is constantly busy sending data back and forth between your device and the internet. How does a [...]

IP address

What is an IP address? The IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique number that every device needs to be able to send and receive data on the Internet or in a network. It is comparable to other unique numbers such as house numbers or telephone numbers. What does an IP address do? Imagine you are sending a [...]

Access point

What is an access point? In a network, the access point ensures that devices such as smartphones, laptops or tablets can access the internet wirelessly, i.e. via WiFi. It acts as a bridge to the base device, the router, which then establishes the connection to the Internet. How does an access point work? The access point emits a WiFi with which [...]