Ampro Corporation 486E - Manual (Page 58)

Little Board™/486e Technical Manual
2–42
Ethernet Network Interface
This section discusses the hardware and software considerations when setting up a network using
the Ethernet LAN interface. Additional information on Ethernet standards is available from IEEE
Customer Service:
IEEE Customer Service
445 Hoes Lane
PO Box 1331
Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331 USA
Phone: (800) 678-IEEE (in the US and Canada)
(908) 981-0060 (outside the US and Canada)
FAX: (908) 981-9667
www.uncoverco.com/CUSTSR.HTM
There are no jumpers to set on the Ethernet interface, and no hardware configuration, other than
connecting the network cable to an appropriate connector. Software configuration of the Ethernet
interface is included in the utility disks.
Network Terms
The following are some of the terms used in this section:
! Trunk or network segment—The cable over which network stations communicate. A segment
cable is usually made up of several cable lengths connected together. A segment is limited in its
total length and the number of network stations it can support. However, a network is not
limited to one segment.
! Network trunk —The sum of all the segment cables. Several segments can be interconnected
with repeaters, routers, or bridges to form the network trunk cable.
! Repeater, router, or bridge—Devices that extend the size of a network beyond the limitations
of one segment. These devices not only form a pathway for network signals traveling from one
trunk segment to another; they also regenerate and strengthen network signals.
! Station—Any device that is connected to a network by means of a network interface card; e.g.,
the Little Board/486e CPU.
! Node—Another term for a network station. Each node has its own network interface card.
! Attachment Unit Interface—(AUI) One of the standard interfaces used to connect a node to
the net, often used between a network interface card and a hub or concentrator.