GLOSSARY
10BASE-T
The IEEE 802.3 specification for Ethernet over
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling.
100BASE-FX
100Mbps Ethernet implementation over fiber.
100BASE-TX
100Mbps Ethernet implementation over category 5
and Type 1 Twisted Pair cabling.
ageing
The automatic removal of dynamic entries from the
Switch Database which have timed-out and are no
longer valid.
ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode. A connection ori-
ented transmission protocol based on fixed length
cells (packets). ATM is designed to carry a complete
range of user traffic, including voice, data and video
signals.
backbone
The part of a network used as the primary path for
transporting traffic between network segments.
bandwidth
Information capacity, measured in bits per second,
that a channel can transmit. The bandwidth of
Ethernet is 10Mbps, the bandwidth of Fast Ether-
net is 100Mbps.
baud rate
The switching speed of a line. Also known as line
speed.
BOOTP
The BOOTP protocol allows you to automatically
map an IP address to a given MAC address each
time a device is started. In addition, the protocol
can assign the subnet mask and default gateway to
a device.
bridge
A device that interconnects local or remote net-
works no matter what higher level protocols are
involved. Bridges form a single logical network, cen-
tralizing network administration.
broadcast
A message sent to all destination devices on the
network.