3Com 3CSOHO100 manual peer-to-peer network, server, switch, unshielded twisted pair UTP cabling

GLOSSARY 69

PCI

Peripheral Component Interconnect. Advanced, high-performance local bus that supports multiple peripheral devices. A local bus is one that is connected directly to the PC’s central processing unit (CPU).

peer-to-peer network

Networking architecture in which PCs and other devices, such as printers and fax machines, are connected directly to one another or to a central point, usually a hub. Unlike a client/server network, a peer-to-peer network does not use a server.

server

PC that provides access to resources or services such as files, printers, fax machines, and e-mail on a client/server network.

Servers may be distinguished by the elements to which they control access (for example, on a client/server network there may be a print server, file server, or communications server).

switch

Device that can direct network traffic among several

Ethernet networks.

unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling

Most commonly used type of twisted-pair cable. Twisted-pair cable consists of copper wires surrounded by an insulator. Two wires are twisted together (the twisting prevents interference problems) to form a pair, and the pair forms a circuit that can transmit data. A cable is a bundle of one or more twisted pairs surrounded by an insulator.