3Com OfficeConnect User Manual page 100

DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. This protocol
automatically assigns an IP address for every computer on your
network. Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0
contain software that assigns IP addresses to workstations on a
network. These assignments are made by the DHCP server
software that runs on Windows NT Server, and Windows 95 and
Windows 98 will call the server to obtain the address. Windows
98 will allocate itself an address if no DHCP server can be found.
DNS
Domain Name System. DNS allows Internet host computers to
have a domain name (such as 3com.com) and one or more IP
addresses (such as 192.34.45.8). A DNS server keeps a database
of host computers and their respective domain names and IP
addresses, so that when a domain name is requested (as in
typing "3com.com" into your Internet browser), the user is sent
to the proper IP address. The DNS server address used by the
computers on your home network is the location of the DNS
server your ISP has assigned.
DSL modem
Digital Subscriber Line. A DSL modem uses your existing phone
lines to send and receive data at high speeds.
Ethernet
A LAN specification developed jointly by Xerox, Intel and Digital
Equipment Corporation. Ethernet networks use CSMA/CD to
transmit packets at a rate of 10 Mbps over a variety of cables.
Ethernet Address
See MAC address.
Fast Ethernet
An Ethernet system that is designed to operate at 100 Mbps.
Firewall
Electronic protection that prevents anyone outside of your
network from seeing your files or damaging your computers.
Full Duplex
A system that allows packets to be transmitted and received at
the same time and, in effect, doubles the potential throughput of
a link.
Gateway
A device that acts as a central hub by connecting to each
computer's network interface card and managing the data traffic
between the local network and the Internet.
Half Duplex
A system that allows packets to transmitted and received, but
not at the same time. Contrast with full duplex.
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.
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