Glossary
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LINK TEST—In 10BASE-T Ethernet there is a link test function that validates the
UTP link. This consists of a pulse transmitted from point A on one pair and validated at
point B. Point B also transmits a pulse on the second pair to be validated by point A.
These pulses occur during media idle states (in between packets).
MANAGED MODULE— An intelligent repeater in a department concentrator chassis
that makes management data available to the Master or reporting module.
MANAGEMENT AGENT—Software that is used to view hub activity and set hub
variables.
MASTER—A repeater in the top-most position in a department concentrator chassis
that contains and downloads the management agent software to Backup and Slaves.
The Master contains the only active image of the management agent and controls the
management functions of the Backup and Slaves.
MAU—See Medium Attachment Unit.
MAU-to-MAU WIRING—10BASE-T MAU-to-MAU or hub-to-hub wiring generally
requires a cross-over cable located somewhere along the UTP cable run. This may
commonly occur at the punch-down block or between the RJ45 wall receptacle and the
workstation.
MAU/TRANSCEIVER—An Ethernet transceiver is a MAU. A 10BASE-T MAU
interfaces the UTP media to an AUI port on a workstation, repeater, bridge or other
Ethernet devices.
MDI/MDI-X—See Medium Dependent Interface.
MEDIUM ATTACHMENT UNIT (MAU)—In a LAN, a device used in a data station to
couple the DTE to the transmission medium.
MEDIUM DEPENDENT INTERFACE (MDI)—The mechanical and electrical
interface between the trunk cable medium and the MAU. MDI-X is another version of
the interface that enables like devices to connect, using different pin-outs, avoiding
conflicts that occur when receiving and transmitting packets use the same pin-out.
MODULE—A single repeater when it is mounted with other repeaters.
N-SERIES—A barrel shaped, threaded connector used on 10BASE5 (thick Ethernet)
coaxial cable.
PATCH PANEL—A 10BASE-T patch panel may be between a punch-down block and
UTP workstation. The patch panel generally has a female RJ45 connector on the front
for each workstation and a Telco (RJ21) connector on the back, which are wired to a
punch-down block. This provides a convenient way for the installer or network manager
to connect the hub 10BASE-T ports into the desired building locations.
PHYSICAL MEDIUM ATTACHMENT (PMA)—The portion of the MAU that
contains the functional circuitry.
PHYSICAL SIGNALING (PLS)—That portion of the physical layer contained within
the DTE that provides the logical and functional coupling between MAU and data link
layers.
