RCA THG540 user manual Glossary

Chapter 2: Additional Information

Glossary

10BaseT – Unshielded, twisted pair cable with an RJ-45 connector, used with Ethernet LAN (Local Area Network). “10” indicates speed (10 Mbps), “Base” refers to baseband technology, and “T” means twisted pair cable.

Authentication - The process of verifying the identity of an entity on a network.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) – A protocol which allows a server to dynamically assign IP addresses to IP device on the fly.

DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) – A project with the objective of developing a set of necessary specifications and operations support interface specifications for cable modems and associated equipment.

Ethernet card – A plug-in circuit board installed in an expansion slot of a personal computer. The Ethernet card (sometimes called a Network Interface Card or NIC) takes parallel data from the computer, converts it to serial data, puts it into a packet format, and sends it over the 10BaseT or 100BaseT LAN cable.

Euro-DOCSIS – The modified DOCSIS standard to accommodate European cable systems which often use 8 MHz channel spacing cable networks.

F Connector – A type of coaxial connector, labeled CABLE IN on the rear of the cable modem that connects the modem to the cable system.

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) – Invisible to the user, HTTP is used by servers and clients to communicate and display information on a web browser.

Hub – A device used to connect multiple computers to the cable modem.

IP Address – A unique, 32-bit address assigned to every device in a network. An IP (Internet Protocol) address has two parts: a network address and a host address. This modem receives a new IP address from your cable operator via DHCP each time it goes through Initialization Mode.

Key exchange - The swapping of mathematical values between entities on a network in order to allow encrypted communication between them.

MAC Address – The permanent “identity” for a device programmed into the Media Access Control layer in the network architecture during the modem’s manufacturing.

Network Driver – A file that is loaded on the computer to allow the computer to recognize the Ethernet card or USB port.

29Illustrations contained in this document are for representation only.