DGS-3224TGR Gigabit Ethernet Switch User’s Guide
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GBIC
– Gigabit interface converter, a transceiver that converts serial electric signals to serial optical signals and vice
versa. In networking, a GBIC is used to interface a fiber optic system with an Ethernet system, such as Fibre Channel
and Gigabit Ethernet.
A GBIC allows designers to design one type of device that can be adapted for either optical or copper applications.
GBICs also are hot-swappable, which adds to the ease of upgrading electro-optical communication networks.
half duplex
– A system that allows packets to be transmitted and received, but not at the same time. Contrasts with full
duplex.
IP address
– Internet Protocol address. A unique identifier for a device attached to a network using TCP/IP. The
address is written as four octets separated with full-stops (periods), and is made up of a network section, an optional
subnet section and a host section.
IPX
– Internetwork Packet Exchange. A protocol allowing communication in a NetWare network.
LAN
– Local Area Network. A network of connected computing resources (such as PCs, printers, servers) covering a
relatively small geographic area (usually not larger than a floor or building). Characterized by high data rates and low
error rates.
latency
– The delay between the time a device receives a packet and the time the packet is forwarded out of the
destination port.
line speed
– See
baud rate
.
main port
– The port in a resilient link that carries data traffic in normal operating conditions.
MDI
– Medium Dependent Interface. An Ethernet port connection where the transmitter of one device is connected to
the receiver of another device.
MDI-X
– Medium Dependent Interface Cross-over. An Ethernet port connection where the internal transmit and
receive lines are crossed.
MIB
– Management Information Base. Stores a device’s management characteristics and parameters. MIBs are used by
the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to contain attributes of their managed systems. The Switch
contains its own internal MIB.
multicast
– Single packets copied to a specific subset of network addresses. These addresses are specified in the
destination-address field of the packet.
protocol
– A set of rules for communication between devices on a network. The rules dictate format, timing,
sequencing and error control.
resilient link
– A pair of ports that can be configured so that one will take over data transmission should the other fail.
See also
main port
and
standby port
.
RJ-45
– Standard 8-wire connectors for IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T networks.
RMON
– Remote Monitoring. Subset of SNMP MIB II which allows monitoring and management capabilities by
addressing up to ten different groups of information.
RPS
– Redundant Power System. A device that provides a backup source of power when connected to the switch.
server farm
– A cluster of servers in a centralized location serving a large user population.
SLIP
– Serial Line Internet Protocol. A protocol which allows IP to run over a serial line connection.
SNMP
– Simple Network Management Protocol. A protocol originally designed to be used in managing TCP/IP
internets. SNMP is presently implemented on a wide range of computers and networking equipment and may be used
to manage many aspects of network and end station operation.
Spanning Tree Protocol
– (STP)
A bridge-based system for providing fault tolerance on networks. STP works by
allowing you to implement parallel paths for network traffic, and ensure that redundant paths are disabled when the
main paths are operational and enabled if the main paths fail.
stack
– A group of network devices that are integrated to form a single logical device.
standby port
– The port in a resilient link that will take over data transmission if the main port in the link fails.
switch
– A device which filters, forwards and floods packets based on the packet’s destination address. The switch
learns the addresses associated with each switch port and builds tables based on this information to be used for the
switching decision.
