Connectrix DS-32M2 User Guide
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Glossary
Interface (1) A shared boundary between two functional units, defined by 
functional characteristics, signal characteristics, or other 
characteristics as appropriate. The concept includes the specification 
of the connection of two devices having different functions. (2) 
Hardware, software, or both, that links systems, programs, or 
devices.
Internet Protocol See IP.
Interoperability The ability to communicate, execute programs, or transfer data 
between various functional units over a network.
Interswitch Link See ISL.
IP Internet Protocol, the TCP/IP standard protocol that defines the 
datagram as the unit of information passed across an internet and 
provides the basis for connectionless, best-effort packet delivery 
service. IP includes the ICMP control and error message protocol as 
an integral part.
IP Address A unique string of numbers that identifies a device on a network. The 
address consists of four groups (quadrants) of numbers delimited by 
periods. (This is called dotted-decimal notation.) All resources on the 
network must have an IP address. A valid IP address is in the form 
nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn, where each nnn is a decimal in the range 0 to 255. 
IPL Initial Program Load, initiated through a menu option in a 
Connectrix switch Product Manager. This performs the same function 
as an IML, but resets the active CTP only. It does not affect the backup 
CTP subsystem if it is installed.
ISL A physical E_Port connection between two switches in a fabric.
L
Laser A device that produces optical radiation using a population inversion 
to provide light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation 
and (generally) an optical resonant cavity to provide positive 
feedback. Laser radiation can be highly coherent temporally, spatially, 
or both.
LED Light-emitting diode.
Link The physical connection between two devices on a switched fabric.