C-2 APPENDIX C: GLOSSARY
ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange, a standard that defines the values that are used for letters, numbers, and symbols.
Attenuation The progressive degradation of a signal as it travels through a cable.
AUI Attachment user interface, the interface between the unit and the data terminal equipment, usually in the form of a connecting cable.
B Channel A digital data communications channel running at 64 Kbps. The basic rate ISDN 2 service carries two B channels plus one control D channel. Refer to ISDN and D Channel.
Backbone A network cabling segment that interconnects a group of network segments or systems.
Bandwidth The capacity of data communications system or channel.
Baseband A communication technique in which network cable is used to carry a single stream of data at a time.
Baud A unit of signalling speed equal to the number of signalling events in one second.
Bit Either of the digits 0 or 1 when used in the binary numeration system. Eight bits equals a single byte.
Bridge A device that links two or more local or remote area networks together. A bridge may be used to extend the network or to connect two different network transport technologies together.
Broadband A communications technique in which network cabling is used to carry multiple streams of data simultaneously.
Broadcast Storm A rare event in which broadcast frames are propagated endlessly through the network because poorly configured bridge and router connections.
