Lantronix ETS Reference Manual - Glossary
Glossary-1
Glossary
AppleTalk
AppleTalk was developed by Apple Computer to allow networking between
Macintoshes. All Macintosh computers have a LocalTalk port running
AppleTalk over a 230kbit serial line. AppleTalk also runs over Ethernet media
(via EtherTalk) and Token Ring network media (via TokenTalk). Due to
dynamic addressing and powerful name directory services, installing an
AppleTalk device is generally as simple as attaching it and turning it on.
ARP
Address Resolution Protocol. A network protocol that allows hosts to discover
a node’s hardware address from its IP address. ARP requests are generally
sent as broadcast to all nodes, and the node whose IP address matches that in
the request replies. The arp command on UNIX hosts shows the current IP
address to hardware address mapping; the arp command on the Server shows
the current IP host table.
AUI
Attachment Unit Interface. A15-pin shielded, twisted pair Ethernet cable used
optionally to connect the ETS and a MAU.
autobaud
Autobauding occurs when the server tries to determine a terminal device’s
speed (or baud rate) and parity by examining the characters that are being sent
at login time. Ideally, the user could know nothing about setting up his or her
terminal, but would be able to turn it on and press the Return key and have the
server configure itself automatically.
Autobaud will not work for all parity and baud rate combinations; it will only
function if the port is using 10-bit characters with no parity or with even parity.
It also will not work for device speeds below 1200 baud. Depending on the
speed of the terminal device, it may take two or more presses of the Return key
at login time to establish the proper baud rate.
backbone
The main network cable. Any communications network has a main “cable,”
and devices can be thought of as attaching to this main conductor. (“Cable” is
misleading, because networks can use microwave or fiber optic carriers as
well.) For example, in a university setting, the backbone might be the cable that
runs to all the buildings that need network access. Local sub-networks and
devices are attached to the main backbone.
BOOTP
A TCP/IP network protocol that lets “dumb” network nodes request
configuration information from a BOOTP server node. At boot time, the dumb
node sends a broadcast message requesting information and waits for a reply.
The BOOTP host, if configured, provides the dumb node with an IP address,