SMC Networks 2512W-B FICHE, User Manual

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14 | Terminology
10BaseT - Physical Layer Specification for Twisted -Pair Ethernet using Unshielded Twisted Pair wire
at 10Mbps. This is the most popular type of LAN cable used today because it is very cheap and easy
to install. It uses RJ-45 connectors and has a cable length span of up to 100 meters. There are two
versions, STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) which is more expensive and UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair),
the most popular cable. These cables come in 5 different categories. However, only 3 are normally
used in LANs, Category 3, 4 and 5. CAT 3 TP (Twisted Pair) cable has a network data transfer rate of
up to 10Mbps. CAT 4 TP cable has a network data transfer rate of up to 16Mbps. CAT 5 TP cable has
a network data transfer rate of up to 100Mbps.
Access Point - A device that is able to receive wireless signals and transmit them to the wired network,
and vice versa - thereby creating a connection between the wireless and wired networks.
Ad Hoc - An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with LAN adapters, connected as an
independent wireless LAN.
Adapter - A device used to connect end-user nodes to the netw ork; each contains an interface to a
specific type of computer or system bus, e.g. EISA, ISA, PCI, PCMCIA, CardBus, etc.
Auto -Negotiation - A signaling method that allows each node to define its operational mode (e.g.,
10/100 Mbps and half/full duplex) and to detect the operational mode of the adjacent node.
Backbone - The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the network that transports inform a-
tion from one central location to another central location where it is unloaded onto a local system .
Base Station - In mobile telecommunications, a base station is the central radio transmitter/receiver
that maintains communications with the mobile radiotelephone sets within its range. In cellular and
personal communications applications, each cell or micro-cell has its own base station; each base
station in turn is interconnected with other cells' bases.
BSS - BSS stands for "Basic Service Set". It is an Access Point and all the LAN PCs that are assoc i-
ated with it.
CSMA/CA - Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance
DHCP - D ynamic Host Configuration Protocol. This protocol automatically configures the TCP/IP set-
tings of every computer on your home network.
DNS - DNS stands for Domain Name System, which allows Internet host computers to have a domain
name (such as www.smc.com) and one or more IP addresses (such as 192.34.45.8). A DNS server
keeps a database of host computers and their respective domain names and IP addresses, so that
when a domain name is requested (as in typing " www.smc.com" into your Internet browser), the user
is sent to the proper IP address. The DNS server address used by the computers on your home net-
work is the location of the DNS server your ISP has assigned.
DSL - DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. A DS L modem uses your existing phone lines to trans-
mit data at high speeds.
Ethernet - A standard for computer networks. Ethernet networks are connected by special cables and
hubs, and move data around at up to 10 million bits per second (Mbps).
ESS - ESS (ESS-ID, SSID) stands for "Extended Service Set". More than one BSS is configured to
be come an Extended Service Set. LAN mobile users can roam between different BSSs in an ESS
(ESS-ID, SSID).
Fast Ethernet NIC - Network interface card that is in compliance with the IEEE 802.3u standard. This
card functions at the media access control (MAC) layer, using carrier sense multiple access with colli-
sion detection (CSMA/CD).