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AppleTalk
An inexpensive local-area network (LAN) architecture built into all Apple Macintosh computers and laser printers. AppleTalk supports Apple's LocalTalk cabling scheme, as well as Ethernet and IBM Token Ring. It can connect Macintosh computers and printers, and even PCs if they are equipped with special AppleTalk hardware and software.
Ethernet
A local-area network (LAN) architecture developed by Xerox Corporation in cooperation with DEC and Intel in 1976. Ethernet uses a bus or star topology and supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps. The Ethernet specification served as the basis for the IEEE 802.3 standard, which specifies the physical and lower software layers. Ethernet uses the CSMA/CD access method to handle simultaneous demands. It is one of the most widely implemented LAN standards.
A newer version of Ethernet, called 100Base-T (or Fast Ethernet), supports data transfer rates of 100 Mbps. And the newest version, Gigabit Ethernet supports data rates of 1 gigabit (1,000 megabits) per second.
IEEE 802.2
General standard for the data link layer in the OSI Reference Model. The IEEE divides this layer into two sublayers -- the logical link control (LLC) layer and the media access control (MAC) layer.
IPX
IPX(Internetwork Packet Exchange), a networking protocol used by the Novell NetWare operating systems. Like UDP/IP, IPX is a datagram protocol used for connectionless communications. Higher-level protocols, such as SPX and NCP, are used for additional error recovery services.
LLC
Logical Link Control (LLC) is the upper portion of the data link layer of a local area network, as defined in IEEE 802.2. The LLC sublayer presents a uniform interface to the user of the data link service, usually the network layer. Beneath the LLC sublayer is the Media Access Control (MAC) sublayer.
MAC
MAC (Medium Access Control) is a hardware address that uniquely identifies each node of a network. In IEEE 802 networks, the Data Link Control (DLC) layer of the OSI Reference Model is divided into two sublayers: the Logical Link Control (LLC) layer and the Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The MAC layer interfaces directly with the network medium. Consequently, each different type of network medium requires a different MAC layer.
On networks that do not conform to the IEEE 802 standards but do conform to the OSI Reference Model, the node address is called the Data Link Control (DLC) address.
Point-to-point
Point-to-point is a network topology most often used on wide area networks (WANs) to connect two hosts. The traditional type of InfoChannel connection, in which a Master sends and receives information to one Player Station at a time. This is typically a two-way connection, using modem, nullmodem, or a network.
Standard
Standard is a definition or format that has been approved by a recognized standards organization or is accepted as a de facto standard by the industry. Standards exist for programming languages, operating systems, data formats, communications protocols, and electrical interfaces.
Token Ring
Token Ring is a local area network (LAN) access method developed by IBM. Conforming to the IEEE 802.5 standard, Token Ring uses a token ring access method and connects up to 255 nodes in a star topology at 4, 16 or 100 Mbps. All stations connect to a central wiring hub called the "Multistation Access Unit" (MAU) using twisted wire cable.
broadcast
Broadcast is the term used to describe communication where a piece of information is sent from one point to all other points. Broadcasting is a useful feature in e-mail systems. It is also supported by some fax systems.
In networking, a distinction is made between broadcasting and multicasting. Broadcasting sends a message to everyone on the network whereas multicasting sends a message to a select list of recipients.
multicast
Multicast is designed to transmit a single message to a select group of recipients. A simple example of multicasting is sending an e-mail message to a mailing list. Teleconferencing and videoconferencing also use multicasting, but require more robust protocols and networks.
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