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LAN - Local Area Network: A n e t work of connected computing resources (such as PCs, printers, servers) covering a rel ati vel y
small geographic area (usually not larger than a floor or building). Charact erized by high data rates and low error rates.
latency: The delay between the time a device receives a packet and the tim e the packet is forwarded out of the destination port.
line speed: See baud rate.
main port: The port in a resilient link that carries data traffic in normal operating cond itions.
MDI - Medium Dependent Interface: An Ethernet port connection where the transmitter of one devic e is connected to the
receiver of another device.
MDI-X - Medium Dependent Interface Cross-over: An Ethernet port connection where the internal transm it and r eceive lines
are crossed.
MIB - Management Information Base: Stores a device's management characteristics and parameters. MIBs are used by the
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to contain attributes of their managed systems. The Switch conta ins its own
internal MIB.
multicast: Single packets copied to a specific subset of network addresses . These addresses are specified in the destination-
address field of the packet.
protocol: A set of rules for communication between devices on a network. The rules dictate form at, timing, sequencing and
error control.
resilient link: A pair of ports that can be configured so that one will t ake over data trans miss ion should the other f ail. S ee also
main port and standby port.
RJ-45: Standard 8-wire connectors for IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T networks.
RMON: Remote Monitoring. A subset of SNMP MIB II that allows m onitor ing and managem ent capabili ties by a ddressin g up to
ten different groups of information.
RPS - Redundant Power System: A device that provides a backup source of power when connected to the S witch.
server farm: A cluster of servers in a centralized location serving a l arge user population.
SLIP - Serial Line Internet Protocol: A protocol, which allows IP to run over a serial line connection.
SNMP - Simple Network Management Protocol: A protocol originally designed to be used in managing TCP/IP internets.
SNMP is presently implemented on a wide range of computers and networking equipm ent and may be used to manage m any
aspects of network and end station operation.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): A bridge-based system for providing fault tolerance on networks. STP works by allowing you to
implement parallel paths for network traffic, and ensure that redun dant paths are disab led when t he main paths are operationa l
and enabled if the main paths fail.
stack: A group of network devices that are integrated to form a single logical device.
standby port: The port in a resilient link that will take over data transmission if the main port in the link fails.
switch: A device, which filters, forwards and floo ds packets bas ed on the packet's des tination address. T he switch learns t he
addresses associated with each switch port and builds tables based on th is information to be used for the switching decision.
TCP/IP: A layered set of communications protocols providing Telnet term inal em ulation, FT P f ile transf er, and ot her serv ices f or
communication among a wide range of computer equipment.
Telnet: A TCP/IP application protocol that provides virtual terminal ser vic e, let tin g a us er l og in to a not her c o m puter system and
access a host as if the user were connected directly to the host.
TFTP - Trivial File Transfer Protocol: Allows you to transfer files (such as s oftware upgrades) from a remote device using your
switch's local management capabilities.
UDP - User Datagram Protocol: An Internet standard protocol that allows an application program on one device to send a
datagram to an application program on another device.
VLAN - Virtual LAN: A group of locat ion- and topology-independent devices that communicate as if they are on a com mon
physical LAN.
VLT - Virtual LAN Trunk: A Switch-to-Switch link which carries traffic for all the VLANs on each Switch.
VT100: A type of terminal that uses ASCII characters. VT100 screens have a t ext-based appearance.