Lantronix XPort User Manual
Page 82

Networking Terms
Bus
A LAN topology in which all the nodes are connected to a single cable. All nodes are considered
equal and receive all transmissions on the medium.
Byte
A data unit of eight bits.
Channel
The data path between two nodes.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Short for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a protocol for assigning dynamic IP addresses to
devices on a network. With dynamic addressing, a device can have a different IP address every
time it connects to the network. In some systems, the device's IP address can even change while
it is still connected. DHCP also supports a mix of static and dynamic IP addresses.
Domain Name
A domain name is a text name appended to a host name to form a unique host name across
internets.
Download
The transfer of a file or information from one network node to another. Generally refers to
transferring a file from a "big" node, such as a computer, to a "small" node, such as a terminal
server or printer.
End Node
A node such as a PC that can only send and receive information for its own use. It cannot route
and forward information to another node.
Ethernet
The most popular LAN technology in use today. The IEEE standard 802.3 defines the rules for
configuring an Ethernet network. It is a 10 Mbps, CSMA/CD baseband network that runs over thin
coax, thick coax, twisted pair or fiber optic cable.
Firmware
Alterable programs in semipermanent storage, e.g., some type of read-only or flash
reprogrammable memory.
Flash ROM
See ROM.
Framing
Dividing data for transmission into groups of bits, and adding a header and a check sequence to
form a frame.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol, a TCP/IP protocol for file transfer.
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XPort™ User Guide