FORE Systems ES-2810 Ethernet Switch User's Manual
Glossary - 31
Glossary
Glossary
Simple Protocol for ATM Network Signalling (SPANS) - FORE Systems' proprietary signalling
protocol used for establishing SVCs between FORE Systems equipment.
Single Mode Fiber (SMF) - Fiber optic cable in which the signal or light propagates in a single
mode or path. Since all light follows the same path or travels the same distance, a transmitted
pulse is not dispersed and does not interfere with adjacent pulses. SMF fibers can support
longer distances and are limited mainly by the amount of attenuation. Refer to MMF.
Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) - a standard for a controller bus that connects hard-
ware devices to their controllers on a computer bus, typically used in small systems.
Smart PVC (SPVC) - a generic term for any communications medium which is permanently
provisioned at the end points, but switched in the middle. In ATM, there are two kinds of
SPVCs: smart permanent virtual path connections (SPVPCs) and smart permanent virtual
channel connections (SPVCCs).
snmpd - an SMNP agent for a given adapter card.
Source - Part of communications system which transmits information.
Source Address (SA) - The address from which the message or data originated.
Source MAC Address (SA) - A six octet value uniquely identifying an end point and which is
sent in an IEEE LAN frame header to indicate source of frame.
Source Traffic Descriptor - a set of traffic parameters belonging to the ATM Traffic Descriptor
used during the connection set-up to capture the intrinsic traffic characteristics of the connec-
tion requested by the source.
Spanning Tree Protocol - provides loop-free topology in a network environment where there
are redundant paths.
Static Route - a route that is entered manually into the routing table.
Statistical Multiplexing - a technique for allowing multiple channels and paths to share the
same link, typified by the ability to give the bandwidth of a temporarily idle channel to
another channel.
Stick and Click (SC) - Designation for an Optical Connector featuring a 2.5 mm physically con-
tacting ferrule with a push-pull mating design. Commonly referred to as Structured Cabling,
Structured Connectors or Stick and Click
Stick and Turn (ST) - A fiber-optic connector designed by AT&T which uses the bayonet style
coupling rather than screw-on as the SMA uses. The ST is generally considered the eventual
replacement for the SMA type connector.
Store-and-Forward - the technique of receiving a message, storing it until the proper outgoing
line is available, then retransmitting it, with no direct connection between incoming and out-
going lines.
Straight Tip (ST) - see Stick and Turn.
Structured Cabling (SC) - see Stick and Click.