Siemens Gigaset Powerline Adapter 200 User Manual page 47

Glossary
MAC address
Media Access Control
The MAC address is used for the globally unique identification of a Network adapters. It
comprises six bytes (hexadecimal numbers), e. g. 00-90-96-34-00-1A. The MAC address
is assigned by the network adapter manufacturer and cannot be changed.
Mbps
Million bits per second
Unit of the transmission speed in a network.
Network
A network is a group of devices connected in wired or wireless mode so that they can
share resources such as data and peripherals. A general distinction is made between
local area networks (LANs) and wide-area networks (WANs).
Network adapter
The network adapter is the hardware device that creates the connection between a net-
work component and a local network. An Ethernet network card is an example of a
wired network adapter.
A network adapter has a unique address, the MAC address.
Network ID
Network Identifier
The network ID is used to identify the stations in a Powerline network. All network com-
ponents with the same network ID form a common network. The network ID can be
assigned by the administrator.
Powerline network
Powerline networks transmit data (phone calls and faxes as well as e-mail and Web
pages) over regular electrical wiring, transforming every electrical outlet in the immedi-
ate area into a network connection. Wires and sockets are used simultaneously for elec-
tricity and data, without disrupting each other.
Protocol
A protocol describes the agreements for communicating on a network. It contains rules
for opening, administering and closing a connection, as well as about data formats,
time frames and handling possible errors. Communications between two applications
require different protocols at various levels, e. g. the TCP/IP protocols for the Internet.
Router
A router directs data packets from one local area network (LAN) to another via the best
route. A router makes it possible to connect networks that have different network tech-
nologies. For example, it can link a local network with Ethernet technology to the Inter-
net.
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