3Com CoreBuilder 2500 Getting Started Manual page 101

LAN
Local Area Network. A data communications
network spanning a limited geographical area, such
as a single building or campus. It provides
communication between computers and
peripherals. LANs are distinguished by their small
geographical size, high data rate, and low error
rate.
local management
Management of a station by using software
running on the station. The CoreBuilder
Administration Console provides a means to locally
manage the CoreBuilder 2500 system.
M port
Master port. Each PHY/PMD pair, designated as a
port, belongs to one of four types: A, B, M, or S.
Concentrator stations (DAS, SAC, and NAC) contain
one or more M ports to provide connection within
the concentrator tree.
MAC
Media Access Control. A station resource that
specifies the lower sublayer of the data-link layer for
FDDI. As such, it presents the specifications and
services provided for conforming FDDI attachment
devices. MAC specifies the access to the medium,
including addressing, data checking, and data
framing.
MAU
Medium Attachment Unit. An IEEE 802.3 compatible
Ethernet transceiver that is used to couple
unshielded twisted pair to AUI cable. It is a
computer's hardware mechanism through which
network transmissions are sent and received. See
IEEE 802.3, AUI, and twisted pair.
MIB
Management Information Base. Stores a device's
managed characteristics and parameters. MIBs are
used by the Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP) and the Common Management Information
Protocol (CMIP) to contain attributes of their
managed systems.
MIC
Media Interface Connector. A mated pair connector
that attaches an FDDI station to a fiber optic cable
plant. It consists of two parts: a plug and a
receptacle. There are four types of MIC: MIC A, MIC
B, MIC S, and MIC M.
modem
Modulator/demodulator. The device that converts
serial digital data from a transmitting terminal to a
signal suitable for transmission over a telephone
(analog) channel. At the other end another modem
reconverts the analog signal to digital data for use
by the computers. A modem port provides the
interface for remote management of CoreBuilder
systems. An external modem can be connected to
the serial port of the system processor.
G 5
LOSSARY