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O
open. To make an adapter ready for use. A break in
an electrical circuit. To make a file ready for use.
operating system. Software that controls the
execution of programs. An operating system may
provide services such as resource allocation,
scheduling, input/output control, and data management.
Examples are IBM PC DOS and IBM OS/2.
option. A specification in a statement, a selection from
a menu, or a setting of a switch, that may be used to
influence the execution of a program. A hardware or
software function that may be selected or enabled as
part of a configuration process. A piece of hardware
(such as a network adapter) that can be installed in a
device to modify or enhance device function.
P
panel. The complete set of formatted information that
appears in a single display on a visual display unit.
parameter. A variable that is given a constant value
for a specified application and that may denote the
application. An item in a menu or for which the user
specifies a value or for which the system provides a
value when the menu is interpreted. Data passed
between programs or procedures.
PC Card. In a LAN, within a communicating device, a
circuit card that, with its associated software and/or
microcode, enables the device to communicate over the
network.
port. An access point for data entry or exit. A
connector on a device to which cables for other devices
such as display stations and printers are attached.
Synonymous with socket .
protocol. A set of semantic and syntactic rules that
determines the behavior of functional units in achieving
communication. In SNA, the meanings of and the
sequencing rules for requests and responses used for
managing the network, transferring data, and
synchronizing the states of network components. A
specification for the format and relative timing of
information exchanged between communicating parties.
R
random access memory (RAM). A computer's or
adapter's volatile storage area into which data may be
entered and retrieved in a nonsequential manner.
read-only memory (ROM). A computer's or adapter's
storage area whose contents cannot be modified by the
user except under special circumstances.
remove. To take an attaching device off a network. To
stop an adapter from participating in data passing on a
network.
ring network. A network configuration in which a
series of attaching devices is connected by
unidirectional transmission links to form a closed path. A
ring of an IBM Token-Ring Network is referred to as a
LAN segment or as a Token-Ring Network segment.
S
server. A device, program, or code module on a
network dedicated to providing a specific service to a
network. On a LAN, a data station that provides facilities
to other data stations. Examples are a file server, print
server, and mail server.
shallowmode. A new mode that allows the workstation
to assist the PC Card in the reception of information
from the Token Ring. When chosen, fastpath transmit is
used as well.
shared RAM. Random access memory (RAM) on an
adapter that is shared by the computer in which the
adapter is installed.
socket. Synonym for port (2) .
system. In data processing, a collection of people,
machines, and methods organized to accomplish a set
of specific functions.
system configuration. A process that specifies the
devices and programs that form a particular data
processing system.
T
telephone twisted pair. One or more twisted pairs of
copper wire in the unshielded voice-grade cable
commonly used to connect a telephone to its wall jack.
Also referred to as "unshielded twisted pair" (UTP).
token. A sequence of bits passed from one device to
another on the Token-Ring network that signifies
permission to transmit over the network. It consists of a
starting delimiter, an access control field, and an end
delimiter. The access control field contains a bit that
indicates to a receiving device that the token is ready to
accept information. If a device has data to send along
the network, it appends the data to the token. When
data is appended, the token then becomes a frame.
See frame .
Token Ring. A network with a ring topology that
passes tokens from one attaching device (node) to
another. A node that is ready to send can capture a
token and insert data for transmission.
Token-Ring network. A ring network that allows
unidirectional data transmission between data stations
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
103
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