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Ethernet address
Sometimes referred to as a hardware address. A 48-bits long number assigned to every Ethernet
hardware device. Ethernet addresses are usually expressed as 12-character hexadecimal numbers,
where each hexadecimal character (0 through F) represents four binary bits. Do not confuse the
Ethernet address of a device with its network address.
Firmware
System software stored in a device’s memory that controls the device.
HDLC
High-Level Data Link Control - A generic link-level communications protocol developed by the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO). HDLC manages synchronous,
code-transparent, serial information transfer over a link connection.
Internet
A set of networks connected together by routers. This is a general term, not to be confused with the
large, multi-organizational collection of IP networks known as the Internet. An internet is
sometimes also known as an internetwork.
Internet address, IP address
Any computing device that uses the Internet Protocol (IP) must be assigned an internet or IP
address. This is a 32-bit number assigned by the system administrator, usually written in the form
of 4 decimal fields separated by periods, e.g., 192.9.200.1. Part of the internet address is the IP
network number (IP network address), and part is the host address (IP host address). All machines
on a given IP network use the same IP network number, and each machine has a unique IP host
address. The system administrator sets the subnet mask to specify how much of the address is
network number and how much is host address.
IP
Internet Protocol - A networking protocol developed for use on computer systems that use the
UNIX operating system. Often used with Ethernet cabling systems. In this manual, IP is used as an
umbrella term to cover all packets and networking operations that include the use of the Internet
Protocol. See also
TCP/I
P.
ISP
Internet service provider -
A company that provides Internet-related services. Most importantly, an
ISP provides Internet access services and products to other companies and consumers.
ITU
International Telecommunication Union -
United Nations specialized agency for
telecommunications
LAN
Local area network -
A privately owned network that offers high-speed communications channels
to connect information processing equipment in a limited geographic area. (usually within a single
campus or building).
LED
Light Emitting Diodes - Type of indicator lights on the panel of the router.
MAC layer/address
Media Access Control layer/address defined by the IEEE 802.3 specification which defines media
access including framing and error detection. Part of the OSI reference model data link layer.
MIB
Management information base - A standardized structure for SNMP management information.
NAT
Network Address Translation -
A feature that allows communication between the LAN connected
to the Modem and the Internet using a single IP address, instead of having a separate IP address
for each computer on the network.
NSP
Network Service Provider - Company from which you buy your network services.
PAP
PPP Authentication Protocol - A method for ensuring secure network access.
Ping
An echo message, available within the TCP/IP protocol suite, sent to a remote node and returned;
used to test the accessibility of the remote node.
