DGS-3100 Series Gigabit Stackable Managed Switch Hardware Installation Guide
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GLOSSARY
1000BASE-T —
Specification for Gigabit Ethernet over copper wire (IEEE Std. 802.3ab). The standard defines 1 Gb/s data
transfer over distances of up to 100 meters using four pairs of CAT-5 balanced copper cabling and a 5-level coding scheme.
Its benefits include compatibility with existing network protocols (i.e. IP, IPX, AppleTalk), existing applications, Network
Operating Systems, network management platforms and applications.
100BASE-TX
— 100Mbps Ethernet implementation over Category 5 and Type 1 twisted pair cabling.
10BASE-T
— The IEEE 802.3 specification for Ethernet over Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling.
aging
— The automatic removal of dynamic entries from the Switch Database which have timed-out and are no longer valid.
ATM
— Asynchronous Transfer Mode. A connection oriented transmission protocol based on fixed length cells (packets).
ATM is designed to carry a complete range of user traffic, including voice, data and video signals.
auto-negotiation
— A feature on a port that allows it to advertise its capabilities for speed, duplex and flow control. When
connected to an end station that also supports auto-negotiation, the link can self-detect its optimum operating setup.
backbone
— The part of a network used as the primary path for transporting traffic
backbone port
— A port that does not learn device addresses, and receives all frames with an unknown address. Backbone
ports are normally used to connect the Switch to the backbone of your network. Note that backbone ports were formerly
known as designated downlink ports.
bandwidth
— Information capacity, measured in bits per second, that a channel can transmit. The bandwidth of Ethernet is
10Mbps and the bandwidth of Fast Ethernet is 100Mbps.
baud rate
— The switching speed of a line. Also known as
line speed
between network segments.
bridge
— A device that interconnects local or remote networks no matter what higher level protocols are involved. Bridges
form a single logical network, centralizing network administration.
broadcast
— A message sent to all destination devices on the network.
broadcast storm
— Multiple simultaneous broadcasts that typically absorb available network bandwidth and can cause
network failure.
console port
— The port on the Switch accepting a terminal. It changes the parallel arrangement of data within computers
to the serial form used on data transmission links. This port is most often used for dedicated local management.
CSMA/CD
— Channel access method used by Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 standards in which devices transmit only after
finding the data channel clear for some period of time. When two devices transmit simultaneously, a collision occurs and
the colliding devices delay their retransmissions for a random amount of time.
data center switching
— The point of aggregation within a corporate network where a Switch provides high-performance
access to server farms, a high-speed backbone connection and a control point for network management and security.
Ethernet
— A LAN specification developed jointly by Xerox, Intel and Digital Equipment Corporation. Ethernet networks
operate at 10Mbps using CSMA/CD to run over cabling.
Fast Ethernet
— 100Mbps technology based on the Ethernet/CD network access method.
Flow Control
— (IEEE 802.3z) A means of holding packets back at the transmit port of the connected end station. Prevents
packet loss at a congested Switch port.
forwarding
The process of sending a packet toward its destination by an internetworking device.
full duplex
— A system that allows packets to be transmitted and received at the same time and, in effect, doubles the
potential throughput of a link.
GBIC
— Gigabit interface converter, a transceiver that converts serial electric signals to serial optical signals and vice versa.
In networking, a GBIC is used to interface a fiber optic system with an Ethernet system, such as Fiber Channel and Gigabit
Ethernet.
A GBIC allows designers to design one type of device that can be adapted for either optical or copper applications. GBICs
also are hot-swappable, which adds to the ease of upgrading electro-optical communication networks.
half-duplex
— A system that allows packets to be transmitted and received, but not at the same time. Contrasts with full-
duplex.
IP address
— Internet Protocol address. A unique identifier for a device attached to a network using TCP/IP. The address is
written as four octets separated with full-stops (periods), and is made up of a network section, an optional subnet section and
a host section.
