
GLOSSARY 53
hub | A device that regenerates LAN traffic so that the transmission distance  | 
  | of that signal can be extended. Hubs are similar to repeaters, in that  | 
  | they connect LANs of the same type; however they connect more LANs  | 
  | than a repeater and are generally more sophisticated.  | 
IEEE | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. This American  | 
  | organization was founded in 1963 and sets standards for computers  | 
  | and communications.  | 
IEEE 802.1D  | A standard that defines the behavior of bridges in an Ethernet network.  | 
IETF | Internet Engineering Task Force. An organization responsible for  | 
  | providing engineering solutions for TCP/IP networks. In the network  | 
  | management area, this group is responsible for the development of the  | 
  | SNMP protocol.  | 
IP  | Internet Protocol. IP is a layer 3 network protocol that is the standard  | 
  | for sending data through a network. IP is part of the TCP/IP set of  | 
  | protocols that describe the routing of packets to addressed devices.  | 
IPX | Internetwork Packet Exchange. IPX is a layer 3 and 4 network protocol  | 
  | designed for networks that use Novell® Netware®.  | 
IP address | Internet Protocol address. A unique identifier for a device attached to a  | 
  | network using TCP/IP. The address is written as four octets separated  | 
  | with periods   | 
  | optional subnet section and a host section.  | 
LAN | Local Area Network. A network of endstations (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 1000m).  | 
line speed | See baud.  | 
loop | An event that occurs when two network devices are connected by  | 
  | more than one path, thereby causing packets to repeatedly cycle  | 
  | around the network and not reach their destination.  | 
MAC | Media Access Control. A protocol specified by the IEEE for determining  | 
  | which devices have access to a network at any one time.  |