47
3660181C
Appendix - Gossary
Glossary
10BaseT
Unshielded, twisted pair cable with an RJ-45 connector, used with Ethernet LAN (Local Area Network). “10”
indicates speed (10 Mbps), “Base” refers to baseband technology, and “T” means twisted pair cable.
Authentication
The process of verifying the identity of an entity on a network.
DHCP -
(
Dynamic Host Control Protocol
)
A protocol which allows a server to dynamically assign IP addresses to workstations on the fly.
Ethernet card
A plug-in circuit board installed in an expansion slot of a personal computer. The Ethernet card (sometimes
called a Network Interface Card or NIC) takes parallel data from the computer, converts it to serial data, puts it
into a packet format, and sends it over the 10BaseT or 100BaseT LAN cable.
DOCSIS -
(Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications)
A project with the objective of developing a set of necessary specifications and operations support interface
specifications for Cable Modems and associated equipment.
F Connector
A type of coaxial connector, labeled CABLE IN on the rear of the Advanced Cable Gateway that connects the
modem to the cable system.
HTTP -
(HyperText Transfer Protocol)
Invisible to the user, HTTP is used by servers and clients to communicate and display information on a client
browser.
Hub
A device used to connect multiple computers to the Advanced Cable Gateway.
IP Address
A unique, 32-bit address assigned to every device in a network. An IP (Internet Protocol) address has two
parts: a network address and a host address. This modem receives a new IP address from your cable operator
via DHCP each time it goes through Initialization Mode.
Key exchange
The swapping of mathematical values between entities on a network in order to allow encrypted
communication between them.
MAC Address
The permanent “identity” for a device programmed into the Media Access Control layer in the network
architecture during the modem’s manufacture.
Network Driver
A file that is loaded on the computer to allow the computer to recognize the Ethernet card or USB port
.
NID -
(Network Interface Device)
The interconnection between the internal house telephone wiring and a conventional telephone service
provider’s equipment. These wiring connections are normally housed in a small plastic box located on an outer
wall of the house. It is the legal demarcation between the subscriber’s property and the service provider’s
property.
PacketCable
A project with the objective of developing a set of necessary telephony specifications and operations support
interface specifications for Advanced Cable Gateways and associated equipment used over the DOCSIS
based cable network.
PSTN -
(Public Switched Telephone Network)
The worldwide voice telephone network which provides dial tone, ringing, full-duplex voice band audio and
optional services using standard telephones.
Provisioning
The process of enabling the Media Terminal Adapter (MTA) to register and provide services over the network.
TCP/IP -
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
A networking protocol that provides communication across interconnected networks, between computers with
diverse hardware architectures and various operating systems.
TFTP -
(Trivial File Transfer Protocol)
The system by which the Media Terminal Adapter’s configuration data file is downloaded.
TSP -
(Telephony Service Provider)
An organization that provides telephone services such as dial tone, local service, long distance, billing and
records, and maintenance.
Universal Serial Bus -
(USB)
USB is a “plug-and-play” interface between a computer and add-on devices, such as an Advanced Cable
Gateway.
Xpress Technology
One of the popular performance-enhancing WiFi technologies, designed to improve wireless network
efficiency and boost throughput. It is more efficient in mixed environments, and it can work with 802.11a/b/g
networks.
