Avvid

Glossary

Cisco Architecture for Voice, Video, and Integrated Data. As the industry’s only enterprise-wide, standards-based network architecture, Cisco AVVID provides the roadmap for combining business and technology strategies into one cohesive model.

Availability

The amount of time that a network or device is operational —in other words, the likelihood that it will be available for use when needed.

Backbone

The part of a network that acts as the primary path for traffic moving between, rather than within, networks. See also Core and Edge.

Bandwidth

The data-carrying capacity of a network connection, used as an indication of speed. See also Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet.

Client

A networked PC or terminal that shares services with other PCs. These services are stored on or administered by a server. See also Server.

Cisco CMS

Cisco Cluster Management Suite Software. A unique, free software tool embedded in Cisco Catalyst 3550 and 2950 Intelligent Ethernet Series switches. Cisco CMS Software dramatically simplifies network management by enabling remote moni- toring and configuration of up to 16 clustered switches at once through a single, easy-to-use Web interface. Cisco CMS Software also eases the deployment of intelligent services at the network edge.

Congestion

Traffic in excess of network capacity.

Convergence

The speed and ability of a group of internetworking devices running a specific routing protocol to agree on the topology of an internetwork after a change in that topology. Often refers to the merging of video and/or voice services onto a data network.

Core

The innermost part of a network, where services typically originate. See also Backbone and Edge.

Edge

The outermost part of a network, where users are typically directly connected. See also Backbone and Core.

Ethernet

A popular LAN technology that moves packets between workstations and runs over a variety of cable types at 10 Mbps (megabits per second).

Fast Ethernet

An extension of the Ethernet standard, offering speeds of 100 Mbps —or 10 times the speed of standard Ethernet. See also Bandwidth, Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet.