Components and Architecture - Networking Basics Reference
Revision 5 HC900 Hybrid Controller Installation and User Guide 27
9/03
Table 5- Glossary of Networking Terms
Name/Acronym Name/Definition Comments
10Base-Tx
Specification for 10mbps
carried over twisted-pair
cable.
In the name 10Base-T, the “10” refers to 10 Mbps
transmission speed, the “Base” refers to Baseband,
which means that no frequency multiplexing is
applied, and the “-T” refers to Twisted Pair
conductors in the cable.
ARP
Address Resolution
Protocol
Precedes IP communication between two stations.
Deduces Layer 2 MAC address information from
IP address information.
AUI Attachment Unit Interface (See MAU, MDI)
Bit A unit of binary data. A binary bit has two values: 1 or 0.
bps Bits Per Second Units of transmission speed
Bridge
A networking device that
connects two LANs and
forwards or filters data
packets between them,
based on their destination
addresses.
Bridges operate at data link level (or MAC layer)
of the OSI model
Bridges are transparent to protocols and to higher-
level devices like routers.
Broadband
Network
A network that uses
multiple carrier frequencies
to transmit multiplexed
signals on a single cable.
Several networks can coexist on a single cable
without interference with each other.
Brouter
A hybrid networking device
that includes functions of a
router and of a bridge.
A Brouter routes specific protocols such as TCP/IP
and bridges others.
Bus
A LAN topology in which
all nodes are connected to a
single cable.
A data transmission from any node is received by
all other nodes on the Bus.
Byte A data unit of eight bits
Cat-3, Cat-5, Cat-
5E
Category -3, -5 Ethernet
twisted-pair cable, available
as Unshielded Twisted Pair
(UTP) or Shielded Twisted
Pair (STP)
10Base-T can use Cat-3 or Cat-5 cable. Cat-3
includes 4 wires (2 twisted pairs). Cat-5 includes
8 wires (4 twisted pairs). 100Base-T can only use
Cat-5 cable.
(Note: Cat-5 cabling and connectors are more
reliable than those for Cat-3. Cat-5E refers to the
Enhanced version of Cat-5.)
Both Cat-3 and Cat-5 cables are limited to 100
meters (328 feet) per segment, and both use RJ-45
connectors.)
CGI Common Gateway Interface
A programming standard that connects databases
and web browsers.
Channel
Path through network
devices from one node to
another.
Coaxial Cable
Electrical transmission
medium with solid wire
conductor at center,
insulated from and
surrounded by tubular outer
metal conductor.
Examples are Thin Ethernet (RG-58/AU or
RG48/CU) and Thick Ethernet (RG-8) with BNC
connectors. Coaxial cable was commonly used for
earlier networks; Twisted-Pair is popular in current
use.
