Appendix A: Glossary - NETGEAR GSM712 Installation Manual

APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY

This appendix defines terms associated with switching technology.
10BASE-T
100BASE-FX
100BASE-TX
1000BASE-SX
1000BASE-T
Auto-negotiation
Auto Uplink
Backbone
Bandwidth
Baud
Broadcast
Broadcast storm
Capacity planning
Class of Service
Collision
Endstation
Ethernet
Fast Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet
Fault isolation
Forwarding
Filtering
Flow control
Full-duplex
Half-duplex
IEEE
The IEEE specification for 10 Mbps Ethernet over Category 3, 4, or 5
twisted-pair cable.
The IEEE specification for 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet over fiber-optic
cable.
The IEEE specification for 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet over Category 5
twisted-pair cable.
The IEEE specification for 1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet over fiber-optic
cable.
The IEEE specification for 1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet over Category 5
twisted-pair cable.
A feature that allows twisted-pair ports to advertise their capabilities for
speed, duplex and flow control. When connected to a port that also
supports auto-negotiation, the link can automatically configure itself to
the optimum setup.
A feature that allows twisted-pair ports to sense if a normal (MDI-X) or
uplink (MDI) connection is necessary and make the right link. It adjusts
for straight-through or crossover cables.
The part of a network used as a primary path for transporting traffic
between network segments.
The information capacity, measured in bits per second, that a channel
could transmit. Bandwidth examples include 10 Mbps for Ethernet, 100
Mbps for Fast Ethernet, and 1000 Mbps (I Gbps) for Gigabit Ethernet.
The signaling rate of a line, that is, the number of transitions (voltage or
frequency changes) made per second. Also known as line speed.
A packet sent to all devices on a network.
Multiple simultaneous broadcasts that typically absorb all the available
network bandwidth and can cause a network to fail. Broadcast storms
can be due to faulty network devices or network loops.
Determining whether current solutions can satisfy future demands.
Capacity planning includes evaluating potential workload and
infrastructure changes.
A term to describe treating different types of traffic with different levels
of service priority. Higher priority traffic gets faster treatment during
times of switch congestion
A term used to describe two colliding packets in an Ethernet network.
Collisions are a part of normal Ethernet operation, but a sudden
prolonged increase in the number of collisions can indicate a problem
with a device, particularly if it is not accompanied by a general increase
in traffic.
A computer, printer, or server that is connected to a network.
A LAN specification developed jointly by Xerox, Intel and Digital
Equipment Corporation. Ethernet networks transmit packets at a rate of
10 Mbps.
An Ethernet system that is designed to operate at 100 Mbps.
An Ethernet system that is designed to operate at 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps).
A technique for identifying and alerting administrators about
connections (such as those associated with switch ports) that are
experiencing congestion or failure, or exceeding an administrator-
defined threshold.
The process of sending a packet toward its destination using a
networking device.
The process of screening a packet for certain characteristics, such as
source address, destination address, or protocol. Filtering is used to
determine whether traffic is to be forwarded, and can also prevent
unauthorized access to a network or network devices.
A congestion- control mechanism. Congestion is caused by devices
sending traffic to already overloaded port on a switch. Flow control
prevents packet loss and temporarily inhibits devices from generating
more traffic until the period of congestion ends.
A system that allows packets to be transmitted and received at the
same time and, in effect, doubles the potential throughput of a link.
A system that allows packets to transmitted and received, but not at the
same time. Contrast with full-duplex.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. This American
organization was founded in 1963 and sets standards for computers
and communications.
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