5–2
Connecting to a Network
Local Area Network (LAN)
A high-speed communications network that covers a limited geographical
area, such as an office area, a department, a building, or a campus (group
of buildings).
Ethernet
The local area network used for Digital systems. In 1980, Digital
Equipment Corporation, Xerox Corporation, and Intel Corporation
came up with a specification for the Ethernet local area network. The
specification includes information on how to connect devices to a coaxial
cable, how to configure nodes, the maximum number of nodes, and the
distance between nodes.
ThinWire Ethernet
An Ethernet network that uses ThinWire cable. ThinWire is a flexible
and inexpensive cable that offers 10 megabit/second communication.
All Digital Ethernet products can connect to ThinWire cable. ThinWire
cable can be used in any size system and is fully compatible with standard
Ethernet communication. ThinWire is ideal for small standalone networks
in which the users share resources, such as printers and storage devices.
Standard Ethernet
Coaxial cable used to connect wiring centers and computer facilities,
floors of buildings, and standalone ThinWire segments. The cable is
rugged, reliable, and immune to external factors that might otherwise
limit high-speed, 10 megabit/second data communication.
LAT
Networking software that allows most Digital computer systems to run
terminal emulation over an Ethernet network.
Work group
A set of computer systems connected by Ethernet cable. Work groups are
formed using ULTRIX-32 software or VMS and DECnet software.
DECconnect
A family of networking products that includes network electronics,
cabling, and connections.
