Appendix E

Glossary

Bridge A device that is used to connected two or more LANs. It operates at the Media Access Control Layer (layer 2) by checking and forwarding data packets between different LANs. Most bridges use CPU and software to do the data checking and forwarding function, and their performance is low.

 

Hub

A central device that is used on star network topology to repeat or amplify signals, allowing the network to be lengthened or expanded with additional stations. For example, an Ethernet hub normally has 8,12, or 16 RJ-45 port in which each port can be connected to a PC, workstation, or server and the hub’s BNC port can be connected to a coaxial cable to lengthened the network.

 

JAVA

A network programming language which is designed to solve the problems in the area of client-server programming. It is ideal for programming on the Internet. JAVA capability is included in most new generation Internet Web Browsers. For examples, Netscape Communicator ver 4.5 or above, and Microsoft Explorer 4.0 or above

 

JAVA-based Network Management System

An integration of JAVA applets and network management functions. The network management software is written in JAVA language and stored in a network device (Hub, LAN switch,…). The user can manage the network by an Internet Web Browser. The operation of network management is as simple as browsing a Web server.

 

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A circuit board that is inserted into each network station (e.g. PC/Workstation, or server) allows communication with other stations. Depending on the station configurations, the bus of a NIC could be ISA, PCI, EISA, MCA, S-bus, and so on.

 

Network Management

The functions to manage and control the networks. Network management consists of five major functions: fault management, accounting management, configuration management, performance management and security management.

 

RIP

RIP is designed to be used as what is called an Interior gateway Protocol (IGP), a routing protocol that is used within an autonomous system (an internetwork controlled by a single administrative or technical authority).

 

RMON

The functions to monitor the network performance, errors and other summary information. RMON functions can be implemented in a network device (e.g. Hub, LAN switch, …) or a station (e.g. PC, server, …).

 

Router

A device that operates at the network layer (layer 3) by routing data between similar or dissimilar networks. A router is more powerful than a bridge or LAN switch because the router checks the network protocols and addresses (e.g. IP or IPX, …).

 

SNMP

A standard protocol adopted for the network management of Internet and UDP/IP based networks.

 

Telnet

Telnet provides a general bi-directional communications path that integrates terminal devices to a terminal oriented process on a host machine, thus providing the illusion that the user has a local connection.

 

VLAN

Virtual LAN supports the function of logical grouping of end stations within a bridged infrastructure. VLAN provides boundaries for broadcast domains. The grouping is dynamic, not location specific.

 

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