SMC Networks SMC2655W User Manual page 20

ers, which perform stand-alone processing and access the network servers as
required. Diskless and floppy-only workstations are sometimes used, which retrieve
all software and data from the server. Increasingly, "thin client" network computers
(NCs) and Windows terminals are also used. A printer can be attached locally to a
workstation or to a server and be shared by network users. Small LANs can allow
certain workstations to function as a server, allowing users access to data on anoth-
er user's machine. These peer-to-peer networks are often simpler to install and
manage, but dedicated servers provide better performance and can handle higher
transaction volume. Multiple servers are used in large networks. The message trans-
fer is managed by a transport protocol such as TCP/IP and NetBEUI. The physical
transmission of data is performed by the access method (Ethernet, Token Ring, etc.),
which is implemented in the network adapters that are plugged into the machines.
The actual communications path is the cable (twisted pair, coax, optical fiber) that
interconnects each network adapter.
MAC Address - MAC (Media Access Control) A MAC address is the hardware address
of a device connected to a network.
MDI / MDI-X - Medium Dependent Interface - Also called an "uplink port," it is a
port on a network hub or switch used to connect to other hubs or switches without
requiring a crossover cable. The MDI port does not
cross the transmit and receive lines, which is done by the regular ports (MDI-X
ports) that connect to end stations. The MDI port connects to the MDI-X port on the
other device. There are typically one or two ports on a device that can be toggled
between MDI (not crossed) and MDI-X (crossed).
Medium Dependent Interface – X (crossed) - A port on a network hub or switch
that crosses the transmit lines coming in to the receive lines going out.
NAT – (Network Address Translation) This process allows all of the computers on
your home network to use one IP address. The NAT capability of the Barricade,
allows you to access the Internet from any computer on your home network with-
out having to purchase more IP addresses from your ISP. Network Address
Translation can be used to give multiple users access to the Internet with a single
user account, or to map the local address for an IP server (such as Web or FTP) to a
public address. This secures your network from direct attack by hackers, and pro-
vides more flexible management by allowing you to change internal IP addresses
without affecting outside access to your network. NAT must be enabled to provide
multi-user access to the Internet or to use the Virtual Server function.
Packet Binary Convulational Code(tm) (PBCC) - A modulation technique devel-
oped by Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) that offers data rates of up to 22Mbit/s and is
fully backward compatible with existing 802.11b wireless networks.
PCI - Peripheral Component Interconnect - Local bus for PCs from Intel that pro-
37
vides a high-speed data path between the CPU and up to 10 peripherals (video,
disk, network, etc.). The PCI bus runs at 33MHz, supports 32-bit and 64-bit data
paths, and bus mastering.
PPPoE - Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet. Point-to-Point Protocol is a method
of secure data transmission originally created for dial-up connections. PPPoE is for
Ethernet connections.
Roaming - A function that allows your to move through a particular domain with-
out losing network connectivity.
Static IP - If your Service Provider has assigned a fixed IP address; enter the assigned
IP address, subnet mask and the gateway address provided by your service
provider.
Subnet Mask - A subnet mask, which may be a part of the TCP/IP information pro-
vided by your ISP, is a set of four numbers configured like an IP address. It is used to
create IP address numbers used only within a particular network (as opposed to
valid IP address numbers recognized by the Internet.
TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This is the standard proto-
col for data transmission over the Internet.
TCP - Transmission Control Protocol - TCP and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are
the two transport protocols in TCP/IP. TCP ensures that a message is sent accurately
and in its entirety. However, for real-time voice and video, there is really no time or
reason to correct errors, and UDP is used instead.
UDP - User Datagram Protocol - A protocol within the TCP/IP protocol suite that is
used in place of TCP when a
reliable delivery is not required. For example, UDP is used for real-time audio and
video traffic where lost
packets are simply ignored, because there is no time to retransmit. If UDP is used
and a reliable delivery is
required, packet sequence checking and error notification must be written into the
applications.
38