3Com 3800 - Manual (Page 174)

2 G LOSSARY
CSMA/CD Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection that is a channel
access method used by Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 standards in which
devices transmit only after finding the data channel clear for some
period of time. When two devices transmit simultaneously, a collision
occurs and the colliding devices delay their retransmissions for a
random amount of time.
data center switching The point of aggregation within a corporate network where a switch
provides high-performance access to server farms, a high-speed
backbone connection and a control point for network management
and security.
Ethernet A LAN specification developed jointly by Xerox, Intel, and Digital
Equipment Corporation. Ethernet networks operate at 10 Mbps using
CSMA/CD to run over cabling.
Fast Ethernet 100 Mbps technology based on the Ethernet/CD network access
method.
forwarding The process of sending a frame toward its destination by an
internetworking device.
full duplex A system that allows frames to be transmitted and received
simultaneously and, in effect, doubles the bandwidth available on a
link.
Gigabit Ethernet 1000 Mbps technology based on the Ethernet/CD network access
method, IEEE 802.3Z.
ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol. An integral part of the Internet
Protocol (IP) that handles error and control messages. Gateways and
hosts use ICMP to report problems about datagrams back to the
original source that sent the datagram. ICMP also includes an echo
require/reply used to test whether a destination is reachable and
responding.
IETF Internet Engineering Task Force. A group of people concerned with
short- and medium-term problems with TCP/IP and the connected
Internet.
IP address Internet Protocol address that is a unique identifier for a device
attached to a network using TCP/IP. The address is written as four
octets separated with full-stops (periods), and is made up of a network
section, an optional subnet section, and a host section.
SW3800.BK Page 2 Tuesday, May 5, 1998 5:20 PM