G
LOSSARY
10BASE-T The IEEE specification for 10Mbps Ethernet over Category 3, 4 or 5
twisted pair cable.
100BASE-FX The IEEE specification for 100Mbps Fast Ethernet over fiber-optic cable.
100BASE-TX The IEEE specification for 100Mbps Fast Ethernet over Category 5
twisted-pair cable.
1000BASE-SX The IEEE specification for 1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet over fiber-optic
cable.
1000BASE-T The IEEE specification for 1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet over Category 5
twisted-pair cable.
auto-negotiation A feature on twisted pair ports that allows them to advertise their
capabilities for speed, duplex and flow control. When connected to a
port that also supports auto-negotiation, the link can automatically
configure itself to the optimum setup.
backbone The part of a network used as a primary path for transporting traffic
between network segments.
bandwidth The information capacity, measured in bits per second, that a channel
can transmit. The bandwidth of Ethernet is 10Mbps, the bandwidth of
Fast Ethernet is 100Mbps.
baud The signalling rate of a line, that is, the number of transitions (voltage
or frequency changes) made per second. Also known as line speed.
bridge A device that interconnects two LANs of a different type to form a
single logical network that comprises of two network segments.
Bridges learn which endstations are on which network segment by
examining the source addresses of packets. They then use this
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