SMC Networks 2870W - annexe 1, Manual, Page: 70 / 77

Terminology
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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
network; 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 information from one central location
to another central location where it is unloaded onto a local
system.