56GLOSSARY

 

information to forward packets based on their destination address. This

 

process is known as filtering.

broadcast

A packet sent to all devices on a network.

broadcast storm

Multiple simultaneous broadcasts that typically absorb all the available

 

network bandwidth and can cause a network to fail. Broadcast storms

 

can be due to faulty network devices.

collision

A term used to describe two colliding packets in an Ethernet network.

 

Collisions are a part of normal Ethernet operation, but a sudden

 

prolonged increase in the number of collisions can indicate a problem

 

with a device, particularly if it is not accompanied by a general increase

 

in traffic.

CSMA/CD

Carrier-sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection. The protocol

 

defined in Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 standards in which devices transmit

 

only after finding a data channel clear for a period of time. When two

 

devices transmit simultaneously, a collision occurs and the colliding

 

devices delay their retransmissions for a random length of time.

endstation

A computer, printer or server that is connected to a network.

Ethernet

A LAN specification developed jointly by Xerox, Intel and Digital

 

Equipment Corporation. Ethernet networks use CSMA/CD to transmit

 

packets at a rate of 10Mbps over a variety of cables.

Ethernet address

See MAC address.

Fast Ethernet

An Ethernet system that is designed to operate at 100Mbps.

forwarding

The process of sending a packet toward its destination using a

 

networking device.

filtering

The process of screening a packet for certain characteristics, such as

 

source address, destination address, or protocol. Filtering is used to

 

determine whether traffic is to be forwarded, and can also prevent

 

unauthorized access to a network or network devices.

flow control

A congestion control mechanism. Congestion is caused by devices

 

sending traffic to already overloaded port on a Switch. Flow control

 

prevents packet loss and inhibits devices from generating more traffic

 

until the period of congestion ends.

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3Com 3C16988A Process is known as filtering, Packet sent to all devices on a network, Can be due to faulty network devices