tactio ALTERA-04G, User Manual

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ALTERA-04G
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Appendix A Glossary
Address mask
A bit mask used to select bits from an Internet address for subnet addressing. The mask is 32 bits
long and selects the network portion of the Internet address and one or more bits of the local portion.
Sometimes called subnet mask.
AAL5
ATM Adaptation Layer - This layer maps higher layer user data into ATM cells, making the data
suitable for transport through the ATM network.
ADSL
Asymmetric digital subscriber line
ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode - A cell-based data transfer technique in which channel demand
determines packet allocation. ATM offers fast packet technology, real time, demand led switching for
efficient use of network resources.
AWG
American Wire Gauge - The measurement of thickness of a wire
Bridge
A device connects two or more physical networks and forwards packets between them. Bridges can
usually be made to filter packets, that is, to forward only certain traffic. Related devices are: repeaters
which simply forward electrical signals from one cable to the other and full-fledged routers which make
routing decisions based on several criteria.
Broadband
Characteristic of any network multiplexes independent network carriers onto a single cable.
Broadband technology allows several networks to coexist on one single cable; traffic from one network
does not interfere with traffic from another. Broadcast A packet delivery system where a copy of a
given packet is given to all hosts attached to the network. Example: Ethernet.
CO
Central Office. Refers to equipment located at a Telco or service provider's office.
CPE
Customer Premises Equipment located in a user's premises
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
DHCP is software that automatically assigns IP addresses to client stations logging onto a TCP/IP
network. DHCP eliminates having to manually assign permanent IP addresses to every device on your
network. DHCP software typically runs in servers and is also found in network devices such as
Routers.
DMT
Discrete Multi-Tone frequency signal modulation
Downstream rate
The line rate for return messages or data transfers from the network machine to the user's premises
machine.
DSLAM
Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplex
Dynamic IP Addresses
A dynamic IP address is an IP address that is automatically assigned to a client station (computer,
printer, etc.) in a TCP/IP network. Dynamic IP addresses are typically assigned by a DHCP server,