G
LOSSARY
10BASE-T
The IEEE specification for 10Mbps Ethernet over Category 3, 4 or 5 
twisted pair cable.
100BASE-FX
The IEEE specification for 100Mbps Fast Ethernet over fiber-optic cable.
100BASE-TX
The IEEE specification for 100Mbps Fast Ethernet over Category 5 
twisted-pair cable. 
1000BASE-T
The IEEE specification for Gigabit Ethernet over Category 5 twisted-pair 
cable.
1000BASE-SX
The IEEE specification for Gigabit Ethernet over a multimode fiber-optic 
cable.
ageing
The automatic removal of dynamic entries from the Switch Database 
which have timed-out and are no longer valid.
auto-negotiation
A feature on twisted pair ports that allows them to advertise their 
capabilities for speed, duplex and flow control. When connected to a 
port that also supports auto-negotiation, the link can automatically 
configure itself to the optimum setup.
backbone
The part of a network used as a primary path for transporting traffic 
between network segments.
bandwidth
The information capacity, measured in bits per second, that a channel 
can transmit. The bandwidth of Ethernet is 10Mbps, the bandwidth of 
Fast Ethernet is 100Mbps.
baud
The signalling rate of a line, that is, the number of transitions (voltage 
or frequency changes) made per second. Also known as line speed.
BOOTP
The BOOTP protocol allows you to automatically map an IP address to a 
given MAC address each time a device is started. In addition, the 
protocol can assign the subnet mask and default gateway to a device.