![background image](http://html2.mh-extra.com/html/panasonic/fp-d250/fp-d250_user-manual_3589824600.webp)
7-34
Matrix switching A form of data switching at the heart of ATM, enabling the
appropriate bandwidth to be available end-to-end for the duration of the session
without contention.
MAU (Medium Attachment Unit) A transceiver (transmitter/receiver) comprising
hardware circuitry that provides the correct electrical or optical connection between
the computer and IEEE 802.3 LAN media. Since MAUs typically support only one
type of network medium, a choice of MAUs is available to support different media. It
detects carrier and collision activity, passing the information to the computer. It can
be a standalone unit or incorporated in a circuit board inside the computer,
Media Access Control driver A LAN device driver that works directly with the network
adapter cards, acting as an intermediary between the transport driver and the
hardware.
Medium The physical method or equipment used for transmission, from a tangible
fiber optic or copper cable to a satellite link. Alternatively, a little old lady in a shawl
used as a last resort to retrieve lost data.
Megabyte 1,024 KB of digital data.
Monolithic driver A network device driver that acts as network adapter card driver
and transport protocol driver combined.
MIB (Management Information Base) The set of variables or database that a gateway
running CMOT, SNMP, or CMIP network management protocols maintains. It defines
variables needed by the SNMP protocol to monitor and control components in a
network. Managers fetch or store into these variables. MIB-II refers to an extended
SNMP management database that contains variables not shared by both CMOT
and SNMP. The CMIP and SNMP MIB formats differ in structure and complexity.
Microchannel A proprietary bus developed by IBM for its PS/2 computer family’s
internal expansion cards. It offers improved performance over ISA-based machines
like the IBM PC/AT.
Mirofine toner Refers to toner containing particles that are smaller than those used
in conventional toner. Microfine toner is said to improve the appearance of resolution,
applies only to laser and LED array printers.