This article explains common Yardi Kube Data/Wi-Fi terminology.
Term | Definition |
Access Point | A hardware radio transmitting device that allows members and guests to connect to your property's Wi-Fi networks. |
Access Point Radios | The radios in an Access Point provide wireless connectivity between a client device and the Access Point on different radio frequencies. The radio frequencies can be 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and the newer 6GHz. |
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) Blocking | Used to limit continued requests between hardware and the internet service provider's equipment. ARP blocking is only required in special circumstances and, by default, is turned off. |
Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) Guard | Network security feature that protects the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to prevent loops. Additionally prevents a switch port meant for end user devices from having a switch or other unauthorized devices connected. See RSTP. |
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) | The ability to connect authorized member or guest devices to your property's networks. |
Circuit | In the context of Data/Wi-Fi, a circuit is a closed path where data travels from one place to another. One example is from the internet to an end user's device. |
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) | Protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices so they can connect to the network. |
Domain | Human readable address for online resources. |
DRM | A pair of routers that act as a single device to monitor each other every 10 seconds and to confirm the other is operational and which has main control. If the master router goes offline, the backup router takes over all routing functions to prevent internet access interruption for your customers. |
Drop | The wall outlet in a room where you can connect an Ethernet cord (Cat 5, 6, 7, or 8) to connect to the internet. |
Duplex | A network connection where both ends of the connection can send and receive data. Full duplex allows both ends to send and receive at the same time. Half duplex only allows one end to send data before the other, forcing the other to wait and receive. Auto negotiation allows both ends to decide which duplex should be employed. |
Firewall | A security measure that monitors incoming and outgoing traffic based upon specified security protocols and rules to protect secure networks. |
Gateway | Network device, either hardware or software, that acts as the entry and exit point between two networks. For example, a user connecting from their computer, over the internet, to an external resource such as a website. |
Guest Wi-Fi | An amenity that you can sell to your customers so guests can connect to the guest network at your property and get online. See Member Wi-Fi. |
Internet Service Provider (ISP) | The company that provides internet services at your property and allows connections to the internet. |
Internet Traffic | Network activity from members and guests on their devices, such as sending emails, downloading files, or browsing websites. |
IP Address | The unique identifying number assigned to a device connected to a network. |
Loopback Detection | Security measure in place on network switches to identify and prevent Layer 2 loops. Data traffic loops usually occur due to faulty wiring or a misconfiguration. Periodically, a switch sends out specialized data over a port to check if that data is received back on that same port. If it does, then the switch detects this as a loopback, and the switch takes action by either disabling the port (best option) to prevent network disruption or the switch sends a notification, depending on the switch's configuration. |
MAC Address | A device's unique network adaptor ID (for both wired and Wi-Fi networks). |
Member Wi-Fi | An amenity that you can sell to your customers so their members can connect to the member network at your property. See Guest Wi-Fi. |
Multicast | This is a group communication method where a single data stream is sent from one source to a defined group of destination devices. Commonly used for streaming audio or video; in this context, multicast is used to share devices such as printers by name on the network. |
NAT (Network Address Translation) | Connecting through a firewall to the internet and transforming a private IP address to a public IP address accessible to other internet users. |
Ping | Troubleshooting or diagnostic tool used to determine whether a host is reachable, and the round trip time (latency) between one computer and another. A Ping sends out a small packet of data that requests a response from the receiving end. Some devices are configured to ignore these requests, and the results are not always valid. See also Ping Scan. |
Ping Scan | A Ping Scan test can be used to identify devices on a network that are actively responding to ping requests. However, this test should be used in conjunction with other network troubleshooting tools, as the results are not always reliable. |
PoE (Power over Ethernet) | An Ethernet connection that provides power to the device when a device is connected over Ethernet. A range of power specifications exist: POE, POE+, POE++. Each specification delivers different power capabilities. |
Port | Either a physical or virtual communication endpoint.
Otherwise, a port refers to the virtual communication endpoint identified by the numbers 0-63535 that works in conjunction with an IP address to route traffic over the network to a specific application or service on a device. |
Port Scan | Used for various reasons, a port scan examines a network by using a port scanner to check which network ports are open and listening for incoming data. This can help determine which services are running on a system, and in the case of troubleshooting, whether a device is listening and responding to incoming requests. However, some devices are configured not to respond to these requests, and the results are not always accurate when troubleshooting. |
Public IP (Port Forwarding) | An amenity that allows members and companies to manage their own connection by opening and closing ports on Kube's firewall. |
Public IP (Routing) | An amenity that allows members and companies to manage their internet connection by opening and closing ports on their firewall. Public IP Routing can also be used to provide unfiltered, unfirewalled, non-NAT access to the internet. |
Public IP (Tagging) | An amenity that allows customers to change their outbound public IP address. This is usually used for white listing purposes. |
Reboot | Troubleshooting tool that ends system tasks and restarts them. Restarts the system's operating system. |
Root Guard | This prevents third-party devices from taking over control of the RSTP protocol and causing traffic forwarding interruptions and forwarding table relearning. See RSTP. |
RMON (Remote Monitoring) | This standard allows network administrators to remotely monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot network traffic and performance. This is made possible by hardware or software installed on the network. Data collected is sent to a central location, where it is aggregated and then viewed and assessed by the network administrator. |
RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) | This protocol is an enhancement to the original Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). This protocol prevents network loops and determines the best way to route data on the network. |
Service Plan | An amenity that you sell to your customers to control their internet upload/download speeds. |
Special VLAN | A specialized network created during the initial configuration of a customer's site. These can be used for sharing printers and the wireless application protocol (WAP). See VLAN. |
SSID & Passphrase | Name of the wireless network that is seen when a wireless scan is started on a device. Usually accompanied by a passphrase, also known as a passcode, which allows a user to authenticate and connect to a Wi-Fi network. |
Subnet | A divided portion of IP addresses from a larger network. Subnets are created through a process called subnetting. The divided portion of IP addresses gets assigned to individual companies, so they are on their own subnet. |
Switch (Switch Stack) | A switch is a device that connects devices on a network together. Switches can be stacked together to add additional physical ports on the network to accommodate more devices. They are also used to power PoE devices such as Wirelass Access Points. In a switch stack, individual switches are configured so they act as if they are one unit. One switch is always set as the master to control the entire stack for ease of management. |
Switch Address Table | Core switching hub function to control where packets are forwarded to based on their destination. Address tables are learned within the switching hub (Ethernet switch). The switch address table is also used while troubleshooting to locate the switch port a device is plugged into. |
TCP Dump | A network analysis tool used for troubleshooting that captures and displays network data transmitted over a computer network. The output is in a human readable format. |
Traceroute | Troubleshooting tool that sends out packets (small amounts of data) and shows their path as they progress to their destination, similar to how the ping troubleshooting tool functions. If the packet does not reach its destination, traceroute shows where the failure occurred, and the internet traffic failed to get a response. Some devices may be programmed not to respond. |
Traffic Graph | Graph that displays internet traffic at your properties and for companies over different durations of time. |
Usage Monitor | Displays a company’s internet usage by IP address and MAC address. Also shows the number of packets the company sends and receives (in KB) during the monitoring interval you determine. |
VLAN | A private network accessible to certain users. In Kube, each company has its own VLAN that its members use. Companies cannot access other company VLANs. See Special VLAN. |
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) | The delivery of Voice services over the Internet. |
VPN (Virtual Private Network) | A protocol widely used by clients to securely connect to a remote location and to transfer/share data. |
Wireless Network | The networks at your property that members and guests connect to for internet access. |