Glossary
10Base-T
The Ethernet
network constructed from cables made of twisted pairs (the 'T' part
in the name) of copper wires conforming to the Category-3 standard.
It is stated to have a bandwidth of 10 Mbps (the 10Base part in the
name). If Category-5 type cables were used instead, the network would
support the futuristic 10-Gigabit (10 Gbps) Ethernet standard.
100Base-T
The Fast-Ethernet
network constructed from cables made of twisted pairs of copper wires conforming to the Category-5 standard.
It is stated to support a bandwidth of 100 Mbps provided the network devices also have the 100 Mbps capability.
Bandwidth
The capacity of a
network link for carrying data. This is usually measured in bits per
second. E.g., 56 Kbps, 128 Kbps, 10 Mbps. (Kbps = kilobits per sec.;
Mbps = Megabits per sec.)
Cable drop
 An Ethernet cable-run between two wall jacks. Usually,
wires at each end are ordered according to 10Base-T
(Straight-through) Ethernet standard and connected to the back of the
RJ45 jacks.
Category-5 cable
Cables made of four
twisted pairs of wires conforming to this standard. This is similar
to Category-3 cable but is manufactured to stricter standards.
Clear Channel
A digital
communication channel guaranteed to be 100% error free. ISDN channels
are said to be clear channels that deliver pure 64 Kbps bandwidth.
When a connection is completely error free, it eliminates back and
forth requests for re-sends as it happens on connections over analog
lines, which reduces the effective bandwidth.
Crossover cable
A special type of
Ethernet cable with two different patterns of pin-outs at each end of
the cable.
Installation Kits
Kits made up of
wall socket assemblies, Ethernet cables, punch-down tools, NICs,
pre-programmed routers etc. specially assembled for pre-planned
network installations.
LAN
 Local Area Network: A collection of computers, and other
network devices in one physical location interconnected as one
communication unit.
Network hub
A simple device
that helps to connect multiple computers on a star topology computer
network. Typically, it has several RJ45 jacks (ports) that accept cable plugs
connecting the computers, routers etc. together.
Network Interface
The interface that
is used to connect the computer to the network. For 10Base-T, there
are several possible interfaces. They all have a RJ45 type modular jacks to
accept cable plugs (much like a telephone plug) found on the
end of an Ethernet cable.
Network Switch
Switches are
similar to hubs but have varying additional capabilities. For instance, some can be
programmed to logically partition physical networks or direct file
server access privilege according to workgroups.
Patch cord
An Ethernet cable,
usually, straight-through type, that has RJ45 connectors at its
ends.
RJ45 jack
Registered Jack
#45: A modular jack similar to a telephone jack but wider. It has
eight conductor locations for an eight-wire cable such as an Ethernet
cable.
Router
A device that
routes or directs network data packets in and out of a network. They
also typically run firewalls that control traffic of packets
according to programmed rules.
Server
A computer doing
one or more specialized service such as holding data files for common
access, serving up web pages, centrally running applications for
client computers or giving access to printers attached to it.
Straight-through cable
An Ethernet cable
with both ends of the cable having the same standard pin-out
pattern.
Telephone Consultation
Telephone
consultation is provided as part of a planned project that usually
include help with installation of network interfaces that we supply
as part of an installation kit.
VPN
Virtual private
network: A secure, logical network combining geographically separate
networks constructed by transmitting encrypted data packets over the
public network (e.g. the Internet).
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