Glossary 5
subnet mask: A 32-bit number to specify which par t of an internet address is the network number, and which
part is the host address. When written in binary notation, each bit written as 1 corresponds to 1 bit of network
address information. One subnet mask applies to all IP devices on an individual IP network.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): An open network standard that defines how
devices from different manufacturers communicate with each other over one or more interconnected networks.
TCP/IP protocols are the foundation of the Internet, a worldwide network of networks connecting businesses,
governments, researchers, and educators.
telephone wall cable: 2-pair, 4-pair, or 8-pair, 22- or 24-gauge solid copper wire cable. Telephone wall cable is
sometimes called telephone station cable or twisted-pair cable.
TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol): A protocol used to transfer files between IP nodes. TFTP is often used to
transfer firmware and configuration information from a UNIX computer acting as a TFTP server to an IP
networking device, such as the Netopia ISDN Router.
thicknet: Industry jargon for 10Base5 coaxial cable, the original Ethernet cabling.
thinnet: Industr y jargon for 10Base2 coaxial cable, which is thinner (smaller in diameter) than the original
Ethernet cabling.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol): A TCP/IP protocol describing how packets reach applications in destination
nodes.
wall jack: A small hardware component used to tap into telephone wall cable. An RJ-11 wall jack usually has
four pins; an RJ-45 wall jack usually has eight pins.
WAN (wide area network): A network that consists of nodes connected by long-distance transmission media,
such as telephone lines. WANs can span a state, a country, or even the world.
WAN IP: In addition to being a router, the Netopia ISDN Router is also an IP address server. There are four
protocols it can use to distribute IP addresses over the WAN which include: DHCP, BootP, IPCP, and MacIP. WAN
IP is a feature for both the Small Office and Corporate Netopia ISDN Router models.
wiring closet: A central location where a building’s telephone and network wiring is connected. Multi-stor y
buildings often have a main wiring closet in the basement and satellite wiring closets on each floor.