3Com 005683-00 Manual page 86

MNP
Microcom Networking Protocol, an error-
control protocol developed by Microcom,
Inc., and now in the public domain. There are
several different MNP protocols, but the most
commonly used one ensures error-free
transmission through error detection (CRC)
and retransmission of erred frames.
modem
A device that transmits/receives computer data
through a communications channel such as
radio or telephone lines. It also changes signals
received from the phone line back to digital
signals before passing them to the receiving
computer.
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G
LOSSARY
nonvolatile memory (NVRAM)
User-programmable random access memory
whose data is retained when power is turned
off. On the Sportster, it includes four stored
phone numbers and the modem settings.
off/on hook
Modem operations that are the equivalent of
manually lifting a phone receiver (taking it off-
hook) and replacing it (going on-hook).
online fall back/fall forward
A feature that allows high-speed, error-control
modems to monitor line quality and fall back to
the next lower speed in a defined range if line
quality diminishes. As line conditions improve,
the modems switch up to the next higher
speed.