COLLISION DOMAIN
See CSMA/CD.
COMBINATION CARDS
Combo cards combine two or more functions in one card, thereby extending the
applications available from the single slot found in most platforms. The most
common are data/fax modems combined with network interface cards (NICs).
CSMA/CD
(Customer Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection) Baseband communications
access method that uses a collision-detection technique. When a device wants to
gain access to the network, it checks to see if the network is free. If it is not, it waits
for a random amount of time before retrying. If the network is free and two devices
attempt access at exactly the same time, they both back off to avoid a collision and
each wait a random amount of time before retrying.
CUT-THROUGH
A type of forwarding method used in switches that allows data to be forwarded
through without any checks due to the low error rate of the network.
DAISY CHAIN
Arrangement of computer components connected in series, one after the other.
E-MAIL
Transmitted messages that are passed over a local network or the Internet.