7000 Series L3 Managed Switch Reference Manual for Software v2.0
Glossary C-17
N
NAT
See “Network Address Translation” on page 17.
NetBIOS
Network Basic Input Output System. An application programming interface (API) for sharing services
and information on local-area networks (LANs). Provides for communication between stations of a
network where each station is given a name. These names are alphanumeric names, 16 characters in length.
netmask
Combined with the IP address, the IP Subnet Mask allows a device to know which other addresses are local
to it, and which must be reached through a gateway or router.
A number that explains which part of an IP address comprises the network address and which part is the host
address on that network. It can be expressed in dotted-decimal notation or as a number appended to the IP
address. For example, a 28-bit mask starting from the MSB can be shown as 255.255.255.192 or as /28
appended to the IP address.
Network Address Translation
Sometimes referred to as Transparent Proxying, IP Address Overloading, or IP Masquerading. Involves use
of a device called a Network Address Translator, which assigns a contrived, or logical, IP address and port
number to each node on an organization's internal network and passes packets using these assigned
addresses.
NM
Network Module.
nm
Nanometer (1 x 10e9) meters.
non-stub area
Resource-intensive OSPF area that carries a default route, static routes, intra-area routes, interarea routes,
and external routes. Non-stub areas are the only OSPF areas that can have virtual links configured across
them, and are the only areas that can contain an ASBR. Compare with stub area. See also ASAM and OSPF.
(Cisco Systems Inc.)
NP
Network Processor.