Cirrus Logic CobraNet - Manual (Page 143)

CobraNet Programmer’s Reference
Glossary of Terms
DS651PM25
©
Copyright 2006 Cirrus Logic, Inc. 143
Mbps
Short for megabits per second, it is a measure of data transfer speed.
Media Converter
A Media Converter is typically a two port device that accepts one type of media on one
port and a different media on the other. Common Ethernet media types are twisted pair,
multimode and single mode fiber. Some hubs and switches include media conversion via
plug in module options for various media types.
Meshing
A fusion of Spanning Tree Protocol and Link Aggregation . Eliminates loops while creating
higher capacity, fault tolerant links among interconnected (meshed) switches. Meshing is
only available on
HP ProCurve switches.
Multicast Addressing
Data which is Multicast is addressed to a group of, or all DTE s on a network. All DTEs
receive multicast addressed data and decide individually whether the data is relevant to
them. A Switched Hub is typically not able to determine appropriate destination port or
ports for multicast data and thus must send the data out all ports simultaneously just as a
Repeater Hub does. Multicast addressing is to be avoided whenever possible since it
uses bandwidth network wide and since all DTEs are burdened with having to decide
whether multicast data is relevant to them.
Multicast Bundle
A multicast bundle supports a one-to-many routing of audio on the network. Ethernet
multicast addressing is used to deliver a multicast bundle. Because a multicast bundle
consumes bandwidth network-wide, use of this delivery service must be rationed on a
switched network.
Multimode Fiber
A fiber-optic cable commonly used in data communications and short haul
telecommunications. A multimode fiber is built of two types of glass arranged in a
concentric manner. Two sizes of fiber are available: 62.5/125um is used primarily in data
communications, 50/100um is used primarily in telecommunications applications. The
standard for transmission of 100Mbit Ethernet over 62.5/125um multimode fiber is called
100BASE-FX. Multimode fiber and its associated transceivers are fairly economical.
100BASE-FX has a 2 kilometer distance limitation.
Network Diameter
The longest cable distance between any two DTE s on the network.
Network Topology
The physical and logical relationship of nodes in a network; networks typically have a star,
ring, tree or bus topology, or some combination.