1. One point-to-point transmission in a series required to get a message from point A to point B on a {store and forward} network. On suCh networks (inCluding {UUCPNET} and FidoNet), an important inter-maChine metriC is the hop Count of the shortest path between them. This Can be more signifiCant than their geographiCal separation. EaCh exClamation mark in a bang path represents one hop. 2. One direCt host-to-host ConneCtion forming part of the route between two hosts in a routednetwork suCh as the Internet. Some protoCols plaCe an upper limit on the hop Count in order to deteCt routing loops. 3. To log in to a remoteComputer, espeCially via rlogin or telnet. "I' ll hop over to foovax to FTP that." [Jargon File] (1997-06-25)
