Chapter 3: Vocab

Question 1

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

Answer 1

A transport method that uses cells, multiple channels, and switching to send voice, video and data transmissions on the same network.

Question 2

attachment unit interface (AUI)

Answer 2

A network interface that connects coax, twisted-pair, or fiber-optic backbone cable to a network node, such as a hub, switch, or workstation. The interface consists of AUI standards for connectors, cable interface circuits, and electrical characteristics.

Question 3

attenuation

Answer 3

The amount of signal that is lost as it travels through a communications medium from its source (transmitting node) to the receiving node.

Question 4

backbone cabling

Answer 4

As defined by the EIA/TIA-568 standard, cable that runs between network equipment rooms, floors and buildings.

Question 5

bandwidth

Answer 5

The transmission capacity of a communications medium, which is typically measured in bits per second (for data transmissions) or hertz (for data, voice, and video transmissions) and which is determined by the maximum minus the minimum transmission capacity.

Question 6

baseband

Answer 6

A type of transmission in which the entire channel capacity of the communications medium (such as cable) is used by one data signal, enabling only one node to transmit at a time.

Question 7

bayonet nut connector (BNC)

Answer 7

A connector that is used for thin coax cable and that has a bayonet-like shell. The male BNC connector has two small knobs that attach to circular slots in the female connector. Both connectors are twisted on for a connection.

Question 8

broadband

Answer 8

A type of transmission in which there are several transmission channels on a communications medium, allow more than one node to transmit at the same time.

Question 9

cell

Answer 9

A fixed-size data unit formatted for high-speed transmission, usually used in ATM..

Question 10

channel service unit (CSU)

Answer 10

A device that is a physical interface between a network device, such as a router, and a T-carrier line.

Question 11

coaxial cable

Answer 11

Also called coax, a network cable medium that consists of a copper core, surrounded by insulation. The insulation is surrounded by another conducting material, such as braided wire, which is covered by an outer insulating material.

Question 12

data service unit (DSU)

Answer 12

A device used with a channel service unit (CSU) for communications for a WAN connection, such as a T-carrier line. The DSU converts data to be sent over the line and converts data received from the line into a format for the receiving network.

Question 13

demand priority

Answer 13

A data communications technique that transmits a packet directly from the sending node, though a hub, and to the receiving node, without passing through other network nodes.

Question 14

directory service

Answer 14

A large container of network data and resources, such as computers, printers, user accounts, and user groups that (1) provides a central listing of resources and ways to quickly find specific resources and (2) provides a way to access and manage network resources.

Question 15

driver

Answer 15

Software that enables a computer to communicate with devices such as NICs, printers, monitors, and hard disk drives. Each driver has a specific purpose, for example, handing Ethernet network communications.

Question 16

echo cancellation

Answer 16

In ISDN, a method used to place data-carrying signals on the network by transmitting data in two directions at the same time.

Question 17

Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA)

Answer 17

A standards organization that develops network cabling standards and electrical interface standards.

Question 18

Fast Ethernet

Answer 18

Ethernet communications at speeds up to 100 Mbps as defined under the IEEE 802.3u standard.

Question 19

fat pipe

Answer 19

Fiber-optic cable used on a network backbone for high-speed communications, such as between floors of a building.

Question 20

fiber-optic cable

Answer 20

Communications cable that consists of two or more glass or plastic fiber cores inside a protective cladding material, covered by a plastic PVC outer jacket. Signal transmission along the inside fibers typically use infrared light.

Question 21

graded-index multimode fiber-optic cable

Answer 21

A type of multimode fiber-optic cable in which the light-based signals follow uniform curve routes inside the cable , resulting in signals that all arrive at the same time with less long-distance distortion than step-index cable.

Question 22

horizontal cabling

Answer 22

As defined by the EIA/TIA-568 standard, cabling that connects workstations and servers in the work area.

Question 23

Hybrid Fiber/Coax (HFC) cable

Answer 23

A cable that consists of a single cable sheeth containing a combination of fibers and copper cables.

Question 24

impedance

Answer 24

The total amount of opposition to the flow of current.

Question 25

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Answer 25

An organization of scientists, engineers, technicians, and educators that has played a leading role in developing standards for network cabling and data transmissions.

Question 26

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

Answer 26

A WAN technology for delivering voice, data, and video services over telephone lines, using a combination of channels.

Question 27

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Answer 27

An international body that establishes communications and networking standards; it is particularly know for its contribution to network protocol standards.

Question 28

International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

Answer 28

An international organization that sets telecommunications standards, for such things as modem and WAN communications.

Question 29

International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

Answer 29

A relatively new organization that coordinates domain naming (Domain Name System) and guidelines for domain registration.

Question 30

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) An arm of the ISOC that works on Internet-related technical issues

Answer 30

An arm of the ISOC that works on Internet-related technical issues

Question 31

Internet Society (ISOC)

Answer 31

A nonprofit international organization that sponsors conferences and publications, and oversees Internet standards

Question 32

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)

Answer 32

A standard directory access protocol that is used to help access and manage objects in a directory service.

Question 33

multimode fiber-optic cable

Answer 33

Used for shorter distances than single-mode fiber-optic cable, this type of fiber-optic cable can carry several signals at the same time.

Question 34

multiplexer

Answer 34

A switch that divides a communications medium into multiple channels so that several nodes can communicate at the same time. When a signal is multiplexed, it must be demultiplexed to a network medium.

Question 35

plenum area

Answer 35

An enclosed area, such as a false floor or ceiling, in which pressure from air or gas can be greater than the pressure outside the enclosed area, particularly during a fire. Plenum areas in buildings often extend to multiple rooms or extend throughout an entire floor and contain ventilation and heating ducts.

Question 36

point-to-point carrier communications

Answer 36

A WAN connection in which two stations communicate through public dial-up or leased lines.

Question 37

power budget

Answer 37

For fiber-optic cable communications, the difference between the transmitted power and the receiver sensitivity, as measured in decibels. It is the transmitter power and receiver sensitivity needed for a signal to be send and received fully intact.

Question 38

Quality of Service (QoS)

Answer 38

A measurement of the transmission, quality, thoughput, and reliability of network system.

Question 39

shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable

Answer 39

Network cable that contains pairs of insulated wires that are twisted together, surrounded by a shielding material for added EMI and RFI protection, all inside a protective jacket.

Question 40

single-mode fiber-optic cable

Answer 40

A form of fiber-optic cable that supports only one signal transmission at a time and that is used mainly for long-distance communications.

Question 41

statistical multiple access

Answer 41

A switching method that allocates the communication resources according to what is needed for the task, such as providing more bandwidth for a video file and less for a small spreadsheet file.

Question 42

step-index multimode fiber-optic cable

Answer 42

A type of multimode fiber-optic cable that reflects the light-based signals like a mirror within the cable, resulting in different signals arriving at different times and with an increased liklihood of distortion over longer cable runs.

Question 43

structured wiring

Answer 43

Principles for cabling areas and network systems in a building including backbones, wiring closets and equipment rooms, work areas, and building entrance cabllng.

Question 44

synchronous optical network (SONET)

Answer 44

A fiber-optic technology that allows for high-speed data transmission, enabling the directory of voice, data and video.

Question 45

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)

Answer 45

A standards body wihtin the EIA that develops telecommunications and cabling standards.

Question 46

time-compression multiplexing (TDMA)

Answer 46

In ISDN, a method used to place data-carrying signals on the network by sending blocks of data in alternating digital bursts.

Question 47

time division multiple access (TDMA)

Answer 47

A switching method that enables multiple devices to communicate over the same communications medium by creating time slots in which each device transmits.

Question 48

twisted-pair cable

Answer 48

A flexible communications cable that ocntains pairs of insulated cooper wires that are twisted together for freduction of EMI and RFI and covered with an outer layer insulating jacket.

Question 49

unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable

Answer 49

Communications cable that has no shielding material between the pairs of insulatedwires twisted together and the Cable TV’s outside jacket.