SMC Networks SMC7204BRA manual Terminology

Terminology

binary

The base two system of numbers, that uses only two digits,

0 and 1, to represent all numbers. In binary, the number 1 is written as 1, 2 as 10, 3 as 11, 4 as 100, etc. Although expressed as decimal numbers for convenience, IP addresses in actual use are binary numbers; e.g., the IP address 209.191.4.240

is 11010001.10111111.00000100.11110000 in binary. See also bit, IP address, network mask.

bit

Short for binary digit. A bit is a number that can have two values, 0 or 1. See also binary.

bps

Bits per second

bridging

Passing data from your network to your ISP and vice versa using the hardware addresses of the devices at each location. Bridging contrasts with routing, which can add more intelligence to data transfers by using network addresses instead. The ADSL Barricade can perform both routing and bridging. Typically, when both functions are enabled, the device routes IP data and bridges all other types of data. See also routing.

broadband

A telecommunications technology that can send different types of data over the same medium. DSL is a broadband technology.

broadcast

To send data to all computers on a network.

CO (Central Office)

A circuit switch that terminates all the local access lines in a particular geographic serving area. It is a physical building where the local switching equipment is found. xDSL lines running from a subscriber's home connect atheir serving central office.

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