40
Glossary
Business Series Smart Gigabit Ethernet Switch
Appendix B
MAC (Media Access Control) Address
The unique
address that a manufacturer assigns to each networking
device.
Mask
A filter that includes or excludes certain values, for
example parts of an IP address.
Mbps (MegaBits Per Second)
One million bits per
second; a unit of measurement for data transmission.
MD (Message Digest )
An algorithm that produces a
128-bit hash. MD5 is a variation of MD4, and increases MD4
security. MD5 verifies the integrity of the communication
and authenticates the origin of the communication.
MDI (Media Dependent Interface)
A cable used for end
stations.
MDIX (Media Dependent Interface with Crossover)
A
cable used for hubs and switches.
MIB (Management Information Base)
MIBs contain
information describing specific aspects of network
components.
Multicast
Transmits copies of a single packet to multiple
ports.
Network
A series of computers or devices connected for
the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission
between users.
NMS (Network Management System)
An interface that
provides a method of managing a system.
OID (Object Identifier)
Used by SNMP to identify
managed objects. In the SNMP Manager/Agent network
management paradigm, each managed object must have
an OID to identify it.
Packet
A unit of data sent over a network.
Ping (Packet INternet Groper)
An Internet utility used
to determine whether a particular IP address is online.
Policing
Determines if traffic levels are within a specified
profile. Policing manages the maximum traffic rate used
to send or receive packets on an interface.
Port
The connection point on a computer or networking
device used for plugging in cables or adapters.
Port Mirroring
Monitors and mirrors network traffic by
forwarding copies of incoming and outgoing packets
from one port to a monitoring port.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
A technology enabling an
Ethernet network cable to deliver both data and power.
QoS (Quality of Service)
Provides policies that contain
sets of filters (rules). QoS allows network managers
to decide how and what network traffic is forwarded
according to priorities, application types, and source and
destination addresses.
RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User
Service)
A protocol that uses an authentication server to
control network access.
RJ-4 (Registered Jack-4)
An Ethernet connector that
holds up to eight wires.
RMON (Remote Monitoring)
Provides
network
information to be collected from a single workstation.
Router
A networking device that connects multiple
networks together.
RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol)
Detects and uses
network topologies that allow a faster convergence of the
spanning tree, without creating forwarding loops.
Server
Any computer whose function in a network is to
provide user access to files, printing, communications,
and other services.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
The standard e-
mail protocol on the Internet.
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
A
widely used network monitoring and control protocol.
SSH
Secure Shell. A utility that uses strong authentication
and secure communications to log in to another computer
over a network.
SSL (Secure Socket Layer)
Encryption technology for
the Internet used to provide secure transactions, such as
the transmission of credit card numbers for e-commerce.
Static IP Address
A fixed address assigned to a computer
or device that is connected to a network.
STP (Spanning Tree Protocol)
Prevents loops in network
traffic. The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) provides tree
topography for any arrangement of bridges. STP provides
one path between end stations on a network, eliminating
loops.
Subnet (Sub-network)
Subnets are portions of a
network that share a common address component. In
TCP/IP networks, devices that share a prefix are part of
the same subnet. For example, all devices with a prefix of
157.100.100.100 are part of the same subnet.
Subnet Mask
An address code that determines the size
of the network.
Switch
Filters and forwards packets between LAN
segments. Switches support any packet protocol type.
(Terminal Access Controller Access Control
System Plus)
Proprietary Cisco enhancement to Terminal
Access Controller Access Control System (TACACS). Provides
additional support for authentication, authorization, and
accounting.
