Netopia R5000 manual Glossary

Glossary 3

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): A service that lets clients on a LAN request configuration information, such as IP host addresses, from a server.

DNS (Domain Name Service): A TCP/IP protocol for discovering and maintaining network resource information distributed among different servers.

download: The process of transferring a file from a server to a client.

DTE (Data Terminal Equipment): Term defined by standards committees that applies to communications equipment, typically personal computers or data terminals, as distinct from other devices that attach to the network, typically modems or printers (DCE). The distinction generally refers to which pins in an RS-232-C connection transmit or receive data. Pins 2 and 3 are reversed. Also see DCE.

EIA (Electronic Industry Association): A North American standards association.

Ethernet: A networking protocol that defines a type of LAN characterized by a 10 Mbps (megabits per second) data rate. Ethernet is used in many mainframe, PC, and UNIX networks, as well as for EtherTalk.

Ethernet address: Sometimes referred to as a hardware address. A 48-bits long number assigned to every Ethernet hardware device. Ethernet addresses are usually expressed as 12-character hexadecimal numbers, where each hexadecimal character (0 through F) represents four binary bits. Do not confuse the Ethernet address of a device with its network address.

EtherTalk: Apple’s data-link software that allows an AppleTalk network to be connected by Ethernet cables. EtherTalk is a protocol within the AppleTalk protocol set. Two versions of EtherTalk are in common use, designated as Phase I and Phase II EtherTalk.

extended network: A network using AppleTalk Phase II protocols; EtherTalk 2.0 and TokenTalk are extended networks. LocalTalk networks are compatible with Phase II but are not extended because a single LocalTalk network cannot have multiple network numbers or multiple zone names.

firmware: System software stored in a device’s memory that controls the device. The Netopia Router’s firmware can be updated.

gateway: A device that connects two or more networks that use different protocols. Gateways provide address translation services, but do not translate data. Gateways must be used in conjunction with special software packages that allow computers to use networking protocols not originally designed for them.

hard seeding: A router setting. In hard seeding, if a router that has just been reset detects a network number or zone name conflict between its configured information and the information provided by another router, it disables the router port for which there is a conflict. See also non-seeding, seeding, seed router, and soft seeding.

HDLC (High-Level Data Link Control): A generic link-level communications protocol developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). HDLC manages synchronous, code-transparent, serial information transfer over a link connection. See also SDLC (Synchronous Data Link Control).

header: In packets, a header is part of the envelope information that surrounds the actual data being transmitted. In e-mail, a header is usually the address and routing information found at the top of messages.

hop: A single traverse from one node to another on a LAN.

hop count: The number of nodes (routers or other devices) a packet has gone through. If there are six routers between source and destination nodes, the hop count for the packet will be six when it arrives at its destination node. The maximum allowable hop count is usually 15.