Glossary

Refers to the 100Mbit/s network technology over voice grade cable that is compatible with the IEEE 802.12 standard. This technology guarantees access to any end node that request to transmit, which ensuring priority access to end nodes that require consistent, continuous access for application such as full-motion video or video conferencing. See also: Demand Priority Protocol.

An add-on computer interface card and circuitry that provides the physical connection and data translation between the host computers's I/O bus and external devices or networks.

The location where adapters attach to the backplane.

For an I/O bus. The computer's circuitry and connectors to which adapter cards connect.

A cable quality rating. 100VG-AnyLAN supports CAT-3 or 5 UTP cable. See LAN cable.

The result of two or more nodes on an 802.3 network transmitting at the same time, producing a garbled transmission.

A request-based protocol that is deterministic—a network end node connected to a 100VG hub makes a request (or "demand") to transmit, and then can transmit only when authorized by the hub. Under hub control, the Demand Priority Protocol guarantees network access for any end node that requests to transmit data.

A portion of system code that allows communication between the operating system and the network card.

A LAN that uses the CSMA/CD method of access and transmits at 10Mbit/s on a bus or star topology. The IEEE 802.3 standard evolved from Ethernet, but they are not exactly the same. Network devices based on both standards can co-exist on the same medium, but they cannot exchange data directly without special "bilingual" software that can decode packets of both types. The drivers for the HP3000 network cards fit this requirement if configured correctly.

See station address.

HP Precision Bus. Refers to the hardware I/O architecture. The precision bus is the bus thru which these cards communicate with the CPU and memory.

Part of the institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 802 family of LAN standards. The 802.12 standard defines the physical layer (layer 1) and the Medium Access Control (MAC) portion of the data link layer (layer 2).

Part of the institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 802 family of LAN standards. The 802.3 standard defines the physical layer (layer 1) and the Medium Access Control (MAC) portion of the data link layer (layer 2). The IEEE 802.3 standard evolved from Ethernet, but the two networks are not fully compatible with each other.

Part of the institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 802 family of LAN standards. The 802.5 standard defines the physical layer (layer 1) and the Medium Access Control (MAC) portion of the data link layer (layer 2). Used with Token Ring networks.

See local area network.

The medium through which data moves in a LAN, LAN cables come in many types. For example, thick (10 mm) coaxial cable, thin (5 mm) coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, and shielded or unshielded twisted-pair cable. The 100VG-AnyLAN cables are typically UTP CAT-3 or CAT-5.

See light emitting diode.

A small light on a device that is often used to provide status information.

A periodic signal transmitted in Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 Type 10Base-T networks to inform one station of device of the presence of another. It also helps verify the integrity of the network link between them. (Also called "link test pulse".)

A general-purpose communications network that interconnects a variety of devices within a limited geographical area. A LAN might connect computers on adjacent desks, within a building, or within several buildings of a campus.

See station address.

Megabits per second defined as (1,000,000 bits per second).

The transmission connection between nodes. Most current LANs use cables (fiber-optic or copper), although radio and other broadcast media are possible.

A station; a physical device that allows for the transmission of data within a network.

A bit stream consisting of predefined fields that contain data, addresses, and control information. In the IEEE 802.3 environment this structure is often referred to as the 'MAC frame". Packet is the more commonly used term, and originated in the Ethernet environment.

See HP-PB.

The set of rules governing the operation of functional units of a communication system that must be followed if communication is to be achieved.

A network configuration where a series of attaching devices are connected by unidirectional links to form a closed path.

A logically circular, unidirectional transmission path without defined ends. Control can be distributed or centralized. See topology.

A standard defining the pin assignments for an 8-pin modular plug for 4-pair twisted wire network cable.

The physical place in the back of the computer where a card plugs in. Each slot has a number.

A logically star-shaped network layout where all traffic is passed through a single point (usually a hub). Hubs can then be connected to form multiple starts.

A 12-digit hexadecimal number that identifies a specific network node, and allows messages to be directed to that node only. The first 6 digits are the same for all cards from a particular manufacturer. Each manufacturer is assigned a different 6-digit value. Then each card produced by that manufacturer has a different last 6 digits. This ensures that all cards from all manufacturers have a unique station address. HP manufactures cards with the first 6 digits being 080009 or 0060B0. A default value is permanently coded into each card, but this default can be overridden by the configuration.

A network with a ring topology that uses a token for the purpose of establishing control. Control of the network is passed with the token from one network device to another.

Topology can be physical or logical. Physical topology is the configuration of network nodes and links; a description of the physical geometric arrangement of the links and nodes. Logical topology is a description of the possible logical connections between network nodes indicating which pairs of nodes are able to communicate whether or not they have a direct physical connection.

Unshielded Twisted Pair. See LAN cable.

See 100VG-AnyLAN.