Cisco Systems 8600 Series NPC Network Processor Card, NPM Network Processor Module, Nrm, OC-3

node

An IPX/IGX/BPX switch serving as a connection point to the network. At a node, connections from service lines are routed to trunks for transmission to other nodes in the network.

NPC (Network Processor Card)

Micro-processor based system controller front card that contains the software used to operate the IPX switch.

NPM (Network Processor Module)

Micro-processor based system controller front card that contains the software used to operate the IGX switch.

Nrm

Maximum number of cells a source may send for each forward RM cell, i.e., an RM cell must be sent for every Nrm-1 data cells.

NTC (Network Trunk Card)

IPX front card that coordinates fastpacket trunk traffic to another node via a number of backcards: T1, E1, Y1, and subrate (RS449, X.21, and V.35).

NTM (Network Trunk Module)

IGX front card that coordinates fastpacket trunk traffic to another node via a number of backcards: T1, E1, Y1, and subrate (RS449, X.21, and V.35).

O

OC-3

Standard optical transmission facility rate of 155.20 Mbps.

OCC (Other Common Carrier)

In the United States, reference to all the other telecommunications companies providing various transmission services other than AT&T.

P

packet line

Packet line referred to a line used to carry FastPackets between IPX nodes in a network. The term in these documents is replaced by the more general “trunk” which is defined as a physical link from node to node, node to shelf, or node to network. The trunk may be one that supports 24-byte FastPackets (packet trunk), or one that supports 53 byte ATM cells (cell trunk).

packet switching

A system that breaks data strings into small units (packets), then individually addresses and routes them through the network.

PAD (Packet Assembler/Disassembler)

A device that converts a serial data stream into discrete packets in the transmit direction and converts the received packets back into a serial data stream. Adds header information in the transmit packet to allow it to be routed to the proper destination.

Glossary E-13