3Com 3C971-F manual Multicast, Multimode, Node, OC-3c, Packet switching, Point-to-point

GLOSSARY 5

MBps

Megabytes. (1024 x 1024 bytes) per second.

Multicast

A technique that allows copies of a single packet or cell to be passed to a selected set of end stations.

Multimode

A large-core (62.5 micron) optical fiber through which multiple signals will propagate.

NNI

Network-to-Network Interface. The interface between two pieces of equipment on a public network.

Node

A device connected to the network media, usually with an adapter card.

OC-3c

Optical Carrier level 3, concatenated. An optical signal defined with a base rate of 155.52 Mbps.

Packet switching

Statistical, connectionless switching based on information contained in variable-length packets.

PDU

Protocol Data Unit. A sequence of contiguous bits delivered as a unit from the physical medium sublayer. A valid PDU is at least 24 bits in length, and contains address fields and a control field.

Point-to-point

Transmission of data between two nodes on a network where one node is the sender and the other node is the receiver.