3Com 56k User's Manual And Reference page 38

buffer
A memory area set aside to be used as temporary
storage during input and output operations. An
example is the modem's command buffer.
byte
A group of binary digits stored and operated upon
as a unit. In user documentation, the term usually
refers to 8-bit units or characters. One kilobyte
(KB) is equal to 1,024 bytes or characters; 640 KB
indicates 655,360 bytes or characters.
carrier
A tone signifying a connection the modem can
alter to communicate data across telephone lines.
character
A representation, coded in binary digits, of a
letter, number, or other symbol.
34
Glossary
characters per second (CPS)
A data transfer rate generally estimated from the
bit rate and the character length. For example, at
2400 bps, 8-bit characters with start/stop bits (for
a total of ten bits per character) will be transmitted
at a rate of approximately 240 characters per
second (cps). Some protocols, such as error-control
protocols, employ advanced techniques such as
longer transmission frames and data compression
to increase cps.
class 1 and 2.0
International standards used between fax
application programs and faxmodems for sending
and receiving faxes.