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cloud Last modified: Friday, February 29, 2008
(1) Also referred to as a network cloud. In telecommunications, a cloud refers to a public or semi-public space on transmission lines (such as T1 or T3) that exists between the end points of a transmission. Data that is transmitted across a WAN enters the network from one end point using a standard protocol suite such as Frame Relay and then enters the network cloud where it shares space with other data transmissions. The data emerges from the cloud -- where it may be encapsulated, translated and transported in myriad ways -- in the same format as when it entered the cloud. A network cloud exists because when data is transmitted across a packet-switched network in a packet, no two packets will necessarily follow the same physical path. The unpredictable area that the data enters before it is received is the cloud. (2) See also cloud computing.
ISP-Planet Founded in April, 1999 by Ted Stevenson as part of internet.com's xSP Channel, ISP-Planet was designed from the start to address the concerns of Internet Service Providers. ISP-Planet covers the main areas of interest for Internet Service Providers such as equipment, perspectives, Fixed wireless, industry news & trends, market research, news, and more. ServerWatch - Guide to Internet Servers and Platforms Includes ratings, industry news, extensive reviews, and downloadable server software. Webopedia's Quick Reference Section Use this Webopedia reference section for information on common Internet and computer facts and occurrences.	Related Categories Network Topologies Networks Telecommunications Related Terms choke packet cloud computing DLCI Frame Relay packet packet switching T-1 carrier T-3 carrier wide-area network X.25