3Com 3C16951 User Manual
Page 51
G
LOSSARY
51
hub
A device that regenerates LAN traffic so that the transmission distance
of that signal can be extended. Hubs are similar to repeaters, in that
they connect LANs of the same type; however they connect more LANs
than a repeater and are generally more sophisticated.
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. This American
organization was founded in 1963 and sets standards for computers
and communications.
IEEE 802.1D
A standard that defines the behavior of bridges in an Ethernet network.
IETF
Internet Engineering Task Force. An organization responsible for
providing engineering solutions for TCP/IP networks. In the network
management area, this group is responsible for the development of the
SNMP protocol.
IP
Internet Protocol. IP is a layer 3 network protocol that is the standard
for sending data through a network. IP is part of the TCP/IP set of
protocols that describe the routing of packets to addressed devices.
IPX
Internetwork Packet Exchange. IPX is a layer 3 and 4 network protocol
designed for networks that use Novell
®
Netware
®
.
IP address
Internet Protocol address. A unique identifier for a device attached to a
network using TCP/IP. The address is written as four octets separated
with periods (full-stops), and is made up of a network section, an
optional subnet section and a host section.
LAN
Local Area Network. A network of endstations (such as PCs, printers,
servers) and network devices (hubs and switches) that cover a relatively
small geographic area (usually not larger than a floor or building). LANs
are characterized by high transmission speeds over short distances (up
to 1000m).
line speed
See baud.
loop
An event that occurs when two network devices are connected by
more than one path, thereby causing packets to repeatedly cycle
around the network and not reach their destination.
MAC
Media Access Control. A protocol specified by the IEEE for determining
which devices have access to a network at any one time.
16950ua.bk Page 51 Thursday, April 29, 1999 1:28 PM