Technical resources

A clearer reference for technical questions.

Browse plain-language definitions for multimedia and networking concepts, or look up commonly referenced TCP and UDP ports in one organised library.

  • 319 reference entries
  • Searchable tables
  • Mobile-friendly access
Reference library Indexed
  • Media reference Formats, frames and audio
  • Network reference Protocols, models and hardware
  • Port directory Common service associations
  • Need more context? Specialist support is available

319 entries available across three reference sections.

Multimedia terminology

22 entries

A quick reference for common video, audio, compression and timing terminology.

Reference note

This material is simplified for quick technical reference and includes legacy formats. Confirm implementation details against current product or standards documentation.

Multimedia terminology and descriptions
Multimedia Term Description
Aspect Ratio The ratio between the width and height of an image or display. Common examples include 4:3 for older television formats and 16:9 for modern widescreen video.
Bidirectional (B) Frame One of the three picture types in MPEG compression. B frames are coded in relation to previous or subsequent I or P frames. B frames do not serve as a reference for other frames
Data Rate The speed of the data stored on a type of media, usually expressed in bits per second or bytes per second.
Data Transfer Rate The transfer rate of the storage media itself. VCD transfer rate is 1.2MB.
Downmix The process of converting a multi-channel audio track to two- or one-channel track.
Dolby Digital Also known as AC-3. A high-quality, bandwidth-efficient perceptual audio coding system originally developed by Dolby Laboratories for multi-channel digital sound in the cinema. It can be used in broadcast, cable, film, and recorded media in both professional and consumer applications. Dolby Digital is one of the main audio formats used in DVD.
Dolby Surround The consumer version of the original analog Dolby multi-channel film sound format.
Drop Frame Time Code A mode of operation when playing back NTSC video. In NTSC, the actual frame rate is roughly 29.97 fps. When the time code indicates 1 hour of film, 1 hour, 3 seconds, and 18 frames worth of actual time has elapsed, or a discrepancy of 108 frames. Some encoders resolve the time code discrepancy by dropping two frame numbers every minute, on the minute, except the tenth minutes.
DTS (Digital Theater Sound) An audio encoding technology developed for theaters. DTS was developed to compete with Dolby Digital and is an additional audio format for DVD.
GOP (Group of Pictures) A GOP is a single MPEG video random access unit.
Intra (I) Frame A key reference frame in the MPEG compression algorithm. I Frames are one of the three types of frames used in MPEG compression. They contain all the data needed to represent an entire frame, hence are referred to as key reference frames.
Linear PCM A non-compressed digital audio format. The DVD specification allows for 16 to 24 bit Linear PCM audio sampled at 48 or 96 kHz.
MP3 MP3 is the MPEG audio layer 3 standard. Layer 3 is one of three coding schemes (layer 1, 2, and 3) for the compression of audio signals defined by the MPEG committee. Layer 3 uses perceptual audio coding and psychoacoustic compression to remove the redundant parts of a sound signal. It also adds an MDCT (Modified Discrete Cosine Transform) that implements a filter bank, increasing the frequency resolution 18 times higher than that of MPEG audio layer 2.
MPEG-1 ISO/IEC standard designed for low bandwidth of compressed digital video and audio. VCD uses this format with resolution of 352x288@25fps (PAL) or 352x240@29.97fps (NTSC).
MPEG-2 ISO/IEC standard designed for transmission of high bandwidth compressed digital video and audio such as that used by broadcast television. DVD uses this format with resolution of 720x576@25fps (PAL) or 720x480@29.97fps (NTSC).
MPEG-4 ISO 14496 is an ISO/IEC standard developed by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group). Although defined as one standard, MPEG-4 is actually a set of compression/decompression formats and streaming technologies that address the need for distributing rich interactive media over narrow and broadband networks.
MPEG Audio Multi-channel digital audio defined by the MPEG specification. MPEG-1 Layer 2 is compressed using perceptual coding. It has a sample rate of 32, 44.1, and 48 kHz at 16 bits and can contain mono or stereo streams. MPEG-1 Layer 3 supports variable sample rate. MPEG-2 audio is an extension of MPEG-1 audio. It supports low bit rates and up to 7.1 audio channels.
Multiplexing Combining two or more data streams together into a single stream.
Predicted (P) Frame Frames used in MPEG compression which are coded in relation to the nearest previous I or P frame. P frames serve as a prediction reference for B frames and future P frames.
SDDS (Sony Dynamic Digital Sound) An audio encoding technology developed by Sony for multi-channel audio in cinemas and theaters. SDDS was developed to compete with Dolby Digital and is an optional audio format for DVD.
S-Video A video signal that carries separate luminance and chrominance signals.
SMPTE EBU Time Code A time-code system used to identify individual video frames and support editing and synchronisation. SMPTE stands for Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

Networking terminology

41 entries

Definitions for common network components, protocols, models, connections and topologies.

Reference note

These descriptions are intended as an introductory reference. Some technologies are historical or deployment-specific, so verify details before using them in a live environment.

Networking terminology and descriptions
Networking Term Description
Amplifier A network component, also known as a repeater. Amplifiers increase the power of a signal when it is lost due to attenuation. They allow signals to cover greater distances in a LAN environment.
Application Layer The seventh layer in the OSI model. The Application layer defines program-to-program communication, or how applications access network services. Services defined by the Application layer include file transfer, job transfer, and terminal emulation.
ATM Broad bandwidth (155 Mb). ATM can be implemented either as a backbone solution or as an entire network solution. In the backbone scenario, ATM is used to connect departments, floors, or any part of the organization that is distant from the main server center. In the network scenario, ATM is used as the entire LAN, WAN, or MAN. LAN Emulation (LANE) is used in these types of networks to give an Ethernet feel to the network. This emulation is easier to implement than IP emulation over ATM and is much more popular.
Bandwidth The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. For digital devices, the bandwidth is usually expressed in bits per second or bytes per second. For analog devices, the bandwidth is expressed in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz).
Bridge A network component that connects two LANs, thus extending the range of the network. Bridges check data and forward them across LANs.
Broadband A single wire or network pipe that has sufficient bandwidth to carry large amounts of data simultaneously.
Broadcast When data is sent simultaneously to all stations on a network.
Brouter A network component that serves as both a Bridge and a Router.
Buffer Space allocated on a system's Random Access Memory (RAM) where data is stored temporarily until it is transferred to another part of the system.
Bus Topology A LAN network structure in which all stations (nodes) are connected to the same cable. Data is transmitted up and down this single cable.
Cable Modem A modem that connects home networking systems (computer + TV) to cable TV networks, bypassing traditional phone networks. Cable TV networks use a coaxial cable or HFC infrastructure.
Circuit Switching A communication technology in which a dedicated channel (circuit) is established for the duration of a transmission.
Collisions In an Ethernet network, every host connected to the network can transmit at any time. This may result in two hosts transmitting at the same time. If a collision between packets is sensed by both hosts, their NICs (Network Interface Cards) perform a Back Off - a transmission time-out. Since the length of the back-off is randomly determined, in most cases when the time-out has elapsed both NICs will be able to re-transmit without interfering with each other. There is always a chance that another host will try to send a packet, causing the back-off procedure to start again.
Coaxial Cable Copper cable that consists of a central wire surrounded by insulation and then a grounded shield of braided wire. Coaxial wire is widely used by the cable television industries. It is less prone to interference than regular wire cables. Most older Ethernet networks also use coaxial cable.
Connectionless vs Connection-oriented Protocols A connectionless protocol sends individual messages without first establishing a session and may not provide delivery or ordering guarantees. A connection-oriented protocol establishes logical communication state and can provide sequencing, acknowledgement and recovery mechanisms; this does not necessarily mean every packet follows one fixed network path.
Dial-Up Access When computer devices hook up to a network via modem and public phone system on a pay-per-time basis. Usually, dial-up connections offer limited bandwidths. The alternative is a leased line that offers continuous access at a constant bandwidth to a network.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) A family of technologies that transmits digital data over copper telephone lines. Common variants include ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line), often used for the access connection between a provider and a home or office.
E1/T1 In the United States, a T1 service is a framed communication protocol that delivers a two-way connection at 1.544 Mbits/s each way. In many other countries, the equivalent of T1 is a service called E1 - a two-way connection at 2.048 Mbit/s.
FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) A set of ANSI protocols for sending digital data over fiber optic cable. FDDI networks are token-passing networks. They support data rates of up to 100 Mbps. FDDI networks usually serve as backbones for wide-area networks. FDDI-2 is an extension of FDDI that supports the transmission of voice and video too.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) A protocol that defines the transfer of files over the Internet.
Hub A networking component that enables the common connection of devices to a network. Hubs are usually used to connect nodes in local area networks. Active hubs can regenerate data over the network, whereas passive hubs only transfer information.
Jitter Variation in packet delay over time, sometimes called packet delay variation. Jitter is especially important for real-time traffic such as voice and video, where inconsistent arrival timing can affect playback quality.
IP (Internet Protocol) The protocol that defines how packets are addressed and delivered across interconnected networks. An IP packet header contains addressing and control information used for datagram delivery. IP is part of the TCP/IP protocol suite.
IP Multicast A method of sending one IP datagram to a multicast group identified by a group destination address. Hosts join the group to receive its traffic; they do not share the same normal unicast host address.
Local Area Networks (LAN) A network that covers a small geographical area.
Latency The amount of time it takes a packet to travel from source to destination. Together, latency and bandwidth define the speed and capacity of a network.
Leased Line A permanent connection to a network that guarantees constant bandwidth and network access. Leased lines cost a fixed monthly fee.
Modem A network interface device that allows computers to send and receive data over telephone lines.
Quality of Service (QoS) Techniques for classifying and managing network traffic according to performance objectives such as bandwidth, delay, delay variation and loss. QoS can prioritise or differentiate traffic, but an end-to-end guarantee depends on the design and policies of every network domain involved.
Packet Switching A networking technology in which messages are divided into packets before they are sent. Each packet is transmitted individually and can even follow different routes to its destination. Once all the packets forming a message arrive at the destination, they are recompiled into the original message. Packet switching is more efficient and robust for data that can withstand some delays in transmission, such as e-mail messages and Web pages.
Router A networking device that connects different types of networks. Routers know how to direct data between networks that use different architectures and protocols.
RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol) An Internet protocol that defines the transmission of real-time data, for example, audio and video. RTP provides mechanisms for the sending (server) and receiving applications to support streaming data. RTP usually runs on top of the UDP protocol.
Star Topology A local-area network (LAN) in which all nodes (stations) are connected to a central device.
Streaming A technique for transferring data so that it is received as a continuous real-time stream.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) One of the main Internet transport protocols. TCP establishes a connection and provides applications with a reliable, in-order byte stream, using acknowledgements and retransmission to recover from loss while the connection remains viable.
TCP/IP A set of protocols designed by the US Department of Defense for transferring data between networks.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) A connectionless Internet transport protocol that lets applications exchange datagrams with minimal protocol overhead. UDP does not itself guarantee delivery, duplicate protection or ordering and is used for unicast, multicast and broadcast applications.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) A network dedicated to a specific user or group of users that is part of a public network. For example, there are a number of systems that enable users to create dedicated networks using the Internet as the backbone for transporting data.
VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) Logical Layer 2 network segments that separate broadcast domains on shared switching infrastructure. VLANs help organise and isolate traffic independently of the devices' physical locations.
WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) A protocol that defines delivery and access of information to wireless devices.
Wide Area Network (WAN) A network that covers large geographical areas by connecting many local area networks together.

TCP/UDP port reference

256 entries

A general list of service names historically or commonly associated with selected port numbers. TCP and UDP can use the same number differently.

Security and accuracy note

Do not open or block ports based on this page alone. Verify current assignments, application requirements and your organisation's firewall policy before making changes. Consult the IANA Service Name and Transport Protocol Port Number Registry for the current official registry.

General TCP and UDP port reference
Port Number Service
1tcpmux
5rje
7echo
9discard
11systat
13daytime
15netstat
17qotd
18send/rwp
19chargen
20ftp-data
21ftp
22ssh, pcAnywhere
23Telnet
25SMTP
27ETRN
29msg-icp
31msg-auth
33dsp
37time
38RAP
39rlp
42nameserv, WINS
43whois, nickname
49TACACS, Login Host Protocol
50RMCP, re-mail-ck
53DNS
57MTP
59NFILE
63whois++
66sql*net
67bootps
68bootpd/dhcp
69Trivial File Transfer Protocol (tftp)
70Gopher
79finger
80www-http
88Kerberos, WWW
95supdup
96DIXIE
98linuxconf
101HOSTNAME
102ISO, X.400, ITOT
105cso
106poppassd
109POP2
110POP3
111Sun RPC Portmapper
113identd/auth
115sftp
117uucp
119NNTP
120CFDP
123NTP
124SecureID
129PWDGEN
133statsrv
135loc-srv/epmap
137netbios-ns
138netbios-dgm (UDP)
139NetBIOS
143IMAP
144NewS
152BFTP
153SGMP
161SNMP
175vmnet
177XDMCP
178NextStep Window Server
179BGP
180SLmail admin
199smux
210Z39.50
218MPP
220IMAP3
259ESRO
264FW1_topo
311Apple WebAdmin
350MATIP type A
351MATIP type B
363RSVP tunnel
366ODMR (On-Demand Mail Relay)
387AURP (AppleTalk Update-Based Routing Protocol)
389LDAP
407Timbuktu
434Mobile IP
443ssl/https
444snpp, Simple Network Paging Protocol
445SMB
458QuickTime TV/Conferencing
468Photuris
500ISAKMP, pluto
512biff, rexec
513who, rlogin
514syslog, rsh
515lp, lpr, line printer
517talk
520RIP (Routing Information Protocol)
521RIPng
522ULS
531IRC
543KLogin, AppleShare over IP
545QuickTime
548AFP
554Real Time Streaming Protocol
555phAse Zero
563NNTP over SSL
575VEMMI
581Bundle Discovery Protocol
593MS-RPC
608SIFT/UFT
626Apple ASIA
631IPP (Internet Printing Protocol)
635mountd
636sldap
642EMSD
648RRP (NSI Registry Registrar Protocol)
655tinc
660Apple MacOS Server Admin
666Doom
674ACAP
687AppleShare IP Registry
700buddyphone
705AgentX for SNMP
901swat, realsecure
993s-imap
995s-pop
1062Veracity
1080SOCKS
1085WebObjects
1227DNS2Go
1243SubSeven
1338Millennium Worm
1352Lotus Notes
1381Apple Network License Manager
1417Timbuktu
1418Timbuktu
1419Timbuktu
1433Microsoft SQL Server
1434Microsoft SQL Monitor
1494Citrix ICA Protocol
1503T.120
1521Oracle SQL
1525prospero
1526prospero
1527tlisrv
1604Citrix ICA, MS Terminal Server
1645RADIUS Authentication
1646RADIUS Accounting
1680Carbon Copy
1701L2TP/LSF
1717Convoy
1720H.323/Q.931
1723PPTP control port
1755Windows Media .asf
1758TFTP multicast
1812RADIUS server
1813RADIUS accounting
1818ETFTP
1973DLSw DCAP/DRAP
1985HSRP
1999Cisco AUTH
2001glimpse
2049NFS
2064distributed.net
2065DLSw
2066DLSw
2106MZAP
2140DeepThroat
2301Compaq Insight Management Web Agents
2327Netscape Conference
2336Apple UG Control
2427MGCP gateway
2504WLBS
2535MADCAP
2543sip
2592netrek
2628DICT
2727MGCP call agent
2998ISS Real Secure Console Service Port
3000Firstclass
3031Apple AgentVU
3128squid
3130ICP
3150DeepThroat
3264ccmail
3283Apple NetAssitant
3288COPS
3305ODETTE
3306mySQL
3389RDP Protocol (Terminal Server)
3521netrek
4000icq, command-n-conquer
4321rwhois
4333mSQL
4827HTCP
5004RTP
5005RTP
5010Yahoo! Messenger
5060SIP
5190AIM
5423Apple VirtualUser
5500securid
5501securidprop
5631PCAnywhere data
5632PCAnywhere
5800VNC
5801VNC
5900VNC
5901VNC
6000X Windows
6112BattleNet
6502Netscape Conference
6667IRC
6670VocalTec Internet Phone, DeepThroat
6699napster
6776Sub7
6970RTP
7007MSBD, Windows Media encoder
7070RealServer/QuickTime
7648CU-SeeMe
7649CU-SeeMe
7778Unreal
8010WinGate 2.1
8080HTTP
8181HTTP
8383IMail WWW
8530WSUS
8875napster
8888napster
10008cheese worm
11371PGP 5 Keyserver
13223PowWow
13224PowWow
14237Palm
14238Palm
18888LiquidAudio
21157Activision
23213PowWow
23214PowWow
23456EvilFTP
26000Quake
27001QuakeWorld
27010Half-Life
27015Half-Life
27960QuakeIII
30029AOL Admin
31337Back Orifice
32773rpc.ttdbserverd
32776rpc.spray
32777rpc.walld
32779rpc.cmsd
38036timestep
40193Novell
41524arcserve discovery
45000Cisco NetRanger postofficed

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