Glossary

glossary

10BaseT

The 10-Mbps baseband Ethernet specification that uses two pairs of twisted-pair cabling (Category 3 or 5): one pair for transmitting data and the other for receiving data.

B

BRI

Basic Rate Interface. An ISDN interface composed of two bearer channels (B channels) and one data channel (D channel) for circuit-switched communication of voice, video, and data.

C

Cisco 800 Fast Step Application

A software tool for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT that ships with the Cisco 800 series routers for basic configurations and verification of the router software configuration. It also monitors the status of the ISDN interface, error detail, and usage statistics.

crossover Ethernet cable

A cable that wires a pin to its opposite. For example, RX+ is wired to TX+. This cable connects two similar devices such as two data terminal equipment (DTE) or data communications equipment (DCE) devices.

D

DRAM

Dynamic RAM that stores information in capacitors that must be refreshed periodically.

DSU

Data service unit. Device used in digital transmission that adapts the physical interface on a data terminal equipment (DTE) device to a transmission facility such as T1 or E1. The DSU is also responsible for such functions as signal timing.

E

EMI

Electromagnetic interference. The interference by electromagnetic signals that can cause reduced data integrity and increased error rates on transmission channels.

ESD

Electrostatic discharge. A transfer of electrostatic charge between bodies of different electrostatic potentials, such as an operator and a piece of electrical equipment. ESD occurs when electronic components are improperly handled and can damage equipment and impair electrical circuitry. ESD is more likely to occur with the combination of synthetic fibers and dry atmosphere.

F

Flash memory

The nonvolatile storage that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed so that data can be stored, booted, and rewritten as necessary.

I

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network. A communication protocol that permits telephone networks to carry data, voice, and other source traffic.

N

NIC

Network interface card. A board that provides network communication capabilities to and from a computer system. Also called an adapter.

NT1

Network Termination 1. A device that provides the interface between equipment on the customer and ISP premises.

S

straight-through Ethernet cable

A cable that wires a pin to its equivalent pin. This cable connects two dissimilar devices, for example, a data terminal equipment (DTE) and a data communications equipment (DCE) device. A straight-through Ethernet cable is the most common cable used.

T

telephone cable

The cable used to connect a device to a telephone port.

TO HUB/TO PC button

This button is associated with the ETHERNET 1 port on Cisco 811 and 813 routers. The setting of this button determines the cable type (straight-through or crossover) that you use to connect an Ethernet device.

B
BRI	Basic Rate Interface. An ISDN interface composed of two bearer channels (B channels) and one data channel (D channel) for circuit-switched communication of voice, video, and data.

C
Cisco 800 Fast Step Application	A software tool for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT that ships with the Cisco 800 series routers for basic configurations and verification of the router software configuration. It also monitors the status of the ISDN interface, error detail, and usage statistics.
crossover Ethernet cable	A cable that wires a pin to its opposite. For example, RX+ is wired to TX+. This cable connects two similar devices such as two data terminal equipment (DTE) or data communications equipment (DCE) devices.

D
DRAM	Dynamic RAM that stores information in capacitors that must be refreshed periodically.
DSU	Data service unit. Device used in digital transmission that adapts the physical interface on a data terminal equipment (DTE) device to a transmission facility such as T1 or E1. The DSU is also responsible for such functions as signal timing.

E
EMI	Electromagnetic interference. The interference by electromagnetic signals that can cause reduced data integrity and increased error rates on transmission channels.
ESD	Electrostatic discharge. A transfer of electrostatic charge between bodies of different electrostatic potentials, such as an operator and a piece of electrical equipment. ESD occurs when electronic components are improperly handled and can damage equipment and impair electrical circuitry. ESD is more likely to occur with the combination of synthetic fibers and dry atmosphere.

F
Flash memory	The nonvolatile storage that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed so that data can be stored, booted, and rewritten as necessary.

I
ISDN	Integrated Services Digital Network. A communication protocol that permits telephone networks to carry data, voice, and other source traffic.

N
NIC	Network interface card. A board that provides network communication capabilities to and from a computer system. Also called an adapter.
NT1	Network Termination 1. A device that provides the interface between equipment on the customer and ISP premises.

S
straight-through Ethernet cable	A cable that wires a pin to its equivalent pin. This cable connects two dissimilar devices, for example, a data terminal equipment (DTE) and a data communications equipment (DCE) device. A straight-through Ethernet cable is the most common cable used.

T
telephone cable	The cable used to connect a device to a telephone port.
TO HUB/TO PC button	This button is associated with the ETHERNET 1 port on Cisco 811 and 813 routers. The setting of this button determines the cable type (straight-through or crossover) that you use to connect an Ethernet device.

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