Configuration -- a prepared set of conditions for proper operation of a device. Configuring the network interface is to prepare it to work with protocols available on a network.

DHCP -- a dynamic host configuration protocol. It is a protocol that assigns dynamic IP addresses to devices on a network.

EtherTalk -- the communication protocol of AppleTalk governing Ethernet transmissions

Protocol -- a rule that controls how data or information is exchanged through a network. Computers and software cannot communicate with each other using different protocols.

TCP/IP -- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, a layer of protocols that provides communication between nodes on a network