3Com OfficeConnect 3C855 User Manual page 75

ISP
LAN
MAC
MAC Address
NAT
Network
Network Interface Card
(NIC)
Protocol
PPPoE
RJ-45
Server
Subnet Address
(full-stops), and is made up of a network section, an optional subnet section and a
host section.
Internet Service Provider. An ISP is a business that provides connectivity to the
Internet for individuals and other businesses or organizations.
Local Area Network. A network of end stations (such as PCs, printers, servers) and
network devices (hubs and switches) that cover a relatively small geographic area
(usually not larger than a floor or building). LANs are characterized by high
transmission speeds over short distances (up to 1000 metres).
Media Access Control. A protocol specified by the IEEE for determining which
devices have access to a network at any one time.
Media Access Control Address. Also called the hardware or physical address. A
layer 2 address associated with a particular network device. Most devices that
connect to a LAN have a MAC address assigned to them as they are used to
identify other devices in a network. MAC addresses are 6 bytes long.
Network Address Translation. NAT enables all the computers on your network to
share one IP address. The NAT capability of the Gateway allows you to access the
Internet from any computer on your home network without having to purchase
more IP addresses from your ISP.
A Network is a collection of computers and other computer equipment that are
connected for the purpose of exchanging information or sharing resources.
Networks vary in size, some are within a single room, others span continents.
A circuit board installed into a piece of computing equipment, for example, a
computer, that enables you to connect it to the network. A NIC is also known as
an adapter or adapter card.
A set of rules for communication between devices on a network. The rules dictate
format, timing, sequencing and error control.
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.
A standard connector used to connect Ethernet networks. The "RJ" stands for
"registered jack".
A computer in a network that is shared by multiple end stations. Servers provide
end stations with access to shared network services such as computer files and
printer queues.
An extension of the IP addressing scheme that allows a site to use a single IP
network address for multiple physical networks.
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