Instant Gigabit Series

Unlike e-mail programs in which graphics and program files have to be "attached," FTP is designed to handle binary files directly and does not add the overhead of encoding and decoding the data.

Full Duplex - The ability of a device or line to transmit data simultaneously in both directions.

Half Duplex - Data transmission that can occur in two directions over a single line, but only one direction at a time.

Hardware - Hardware is the physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other information technology devices. The term arose as a way to distinguish the "box" and the electronic circuitry and components of a computer from the pro- gram you put in it to make it do things. The program came to be known as the soft- ware.

Hub - The device that serves as the central location for attaching wires from workstations. Can be passive, where there is no amplication of the signals; or active, where the hubs are used like repeaters to provide an extension of the cable that connects to a workstation.

IEEE - The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The IEEE describes itself as "the world's largest technical professional society -- promot- ing the development and application of electrotechnology and allied sciences for the benefit of humanity, the advancement of the profession, and the well- being of our members."

The IEEE fosters the development of standards that often become national and international standards. The organization publishes a number of journals, has many local chapters, and several large societies in special areas, such as the IEEE Computer Society.

LAN - A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line and typically share the resources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area (for example, within an office building).

Latency - The time delay between when the first bit of a packet is received and the last bit is forwarded.

MAC Address - The MAC (Media Access Control) address is your computer's unique hardware number.

EtherFast® 10/100/1000 8+1 Workgroup GigaSwitch

Mbps (MegaBits Per Second) - One million bits per second; unit of measure- ment for data transmission.

Network - A system that transmits any combination of voice, video and/or data between users.

NIC (Network Interface Card) - A board installed in a computer system, usu- ally a PC, to provide network communication capabilities to and from that com- puter system. Also called an adapter.

Port - A pathway into and out of the computer or a network device such as a switch or router. For example, the serial and parallel ports on a personal com- puter are external sockets for plugging in communications lines, modems and printers.

RJ-45(Registered Jack-45) - A connector similar to a telephone connector that holds up to eight wires, used for connecting Ethernet devices.

Throughput - The amount of data moved successfully from one place to another in a given time period.

TX Rate - Transmission Rate.

UTP - Unshielded twisted pair is the most common kind of copper telephone wiring. Twisted pair is the ordinary copper wire that connects home and many business computers to the telephone company. To reduce crosstalk or electro- magnetic induction between pairs of wires, two insulated copper wires are twisted around each other. Each signal on twisted pair requires both wires. Since some telephone sets or desktop locations require multiple connections, twisted pair is sometimes installed in two or more pairs, all within a single cable.