# Glossary

10Base-5 Ethernet

An Ethernet cable system using 0.04 inch, 50-ohm coaxial cable wiring with 15-pin D-subminiature connectors at each end. One connector plugs into the AUI port on the MAX 800 back panel, and the other into a 10Base-5 transceiver. 10Base-5 cable standards are defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard. Also known as thick Ethernet.

10Base-T Ethernet

The 802.3 IEEE standard for operating a 10 Mbps Ethernet network with twisted-pair cabling with RJ-45 eight-conductor plugs and a wiring hub. Also known as unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) Ethernet or twisted-pair Ethernet.

AppleTalk

The Apple Computer network system. AppleTalk is a set of network protocols that control network file access, data transmission, and other functions. AppleTalk can be implemented on a variety of cable systems, including LocalTalk, Ethernet, and Token-Ring.

AUI connector

The Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) uses a DB-15 connector that connects to a transceiver on thick Ethernet, twisted-pair, fiber-optic, or other cable systems.

AUI port

The Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) uses a DB-15 port that connects to a transceiver on a cable system, such as thick Ethernet, twisted-pair, or fiber-optic.

B1 channel, B2 channel

ISDN BRI lines consist of two bearer channels (B channels) for dial-up transmission of voice or data and one D channel for call setup and signaling. B1 and B2 denote the two bearer channels.

bps

Binary digits per second. A measure of the capacity of a line.

BRI

See ISDN BRI line.

Carrier Detect

The carrier detect indicators illuminate when an outside phone line connects. They remain lit until the remote party disconnects from the line.

Configuration window (NavisConnect)

Graphical device in NavisConnect for displaying and changing an Ascend product's configuration parameters.

Explorer (NavisConnect)

NavisConnect tool for connecting to an Ascend unit and loading and displaying its parameters. Provides access to the NavisConnect QuickStart program and Syslog, a UNIX-based system activity log.

hot-swappable

Refers to a component, such as a PCMCIA card, that can be removed or inserted without shutting off the system power.

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. The IEEE is an organization that maintains the standards for 10Base-T and other communications specifications.

IPX

Internetwork Packet Exchange. IPX is Novell's connectionless Network-layer protocol derived from XNS' Internetwork Datagram Protocol. IPX performs addressing and routing functions.

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network. ISDN is a telecommunications architecture capable of sending voice, data, and video in digital form on a digital line.

ISDN BRI line

ISDN Basic Rate Interface line.

LAN

Local Area Network. A LAN is a network in which two or more computers, located within a limited distance of one another, are connected for file sharing.

manager

An application that receives Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) information from an agent. An agent and manager share a database of information, called the Management Information Base (MIB). An agent can use a message called a traps-PDU to send unsolicited information to the manager. A manager that uses the Ascend Enterprise MIB can query the MAX 800, set parameters, sound alarms when certain conditions appear, and perform other administrative tasks.

navigation tree (NavisConnect)

In the NavisConnect Explorer, a navigation device for loading parameters from Ascend units and from configuration files. In the configuration window, a similar device is used for accessing profiles and setting groups.

NavisAccess

An application that delivers superior management for the dial-up and dedicated portions of the network, providing extensive support for discovery and mapping, configuration, fault and performance management, and security.

NavisConnect

A management tool for all True Access Operating System-enabled devices, including MAX 800. NavisConnect has a graphical user interface that can be used for installing and configuring Ascend devices.

PCMCIA card

Credit-card sized computer enhancement hardware with specifications defined by the PCMCIA. Also called PC card.

PCMCIA

The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, a nonprofit trade and standards association that establishes and maintains the PCMCIA card specifications.

PC card

See PCMCIA card.

POST

Power-On Self Test. A POST is a diagnostic test the MAX 800 performs when it first starts up or after it completes a system reset. During a POST, the MAX 800 checks system memory, configuration, installed cards, compression hardware, and T1 connections.

profile

A collection of settings that enable you to configure various aspects of an Ascend product. For example, a Connection profile enables you to specify the name, password, and network resources for a dial-in caller.

PPP

Point-to-Point Protocol. PPP provides a standard means of encapsulating data packets sent over a single-channel WAN link. It is the standard WAN encapsulation protocol for the interoperability of bridges and routers. PPP also allows direct dial-up access from a personal computer to a corporate LAN or Internet Service Provider (ISP). Using PPP ensures basic compatibility with non-Ascend devices. Both the dialing side and the answering side of the link must support PPP.

RJ-45 connector

The connector on one end of a 10Base-T cable that fits into the UTP (RJ-45) port on the back panel of the MAX 800.

RJ-45 port

The port on the back panel of the MAX 800, labeled UTP, that accepts the RJ-45 plug on one end of a 10Base-T cable. It is the port used to connect MAX 800 to a twisted-pair network.

Rx

Receive data light. Turns on when data transfers over the phone line through an associated modem. This light blinks to show activity through the modem.

Security Profile

A profile that consists of parameters you can set to control access to the MAX 800.

SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol. SNMP is a standard way for computers to share networking information. In SNMP, two types of communicating devices exist: agents and managers. An agent provides networking information to a manager application running on another computer. The agent can be polled by the manager, and can also use a message called a traps-PDU to send unsolicited information to the manager when an unusual event occurs. The MAX 800 is an example of an SNMP agent. The agents and managers share a database of information, called the Management Information Base (MIB).

The MAX 800 supports SNMP MIB II, T1 MIB, and Ascend Enterprise MIBs. A manager that uses the Ascend Enterprise MIB can query the MAX 800, set parameters, sound alarms when certain conditions appear, and perform other administrative tasks. You can therefore manage the MAX 800 from a central SNMP manager, such as SunNet Manage or HP Open View.

SNMP security uses the community name that the manager sends with each polling request and that the agent sends with each traps-PDU. Ascend supports two community names: one with read-only, and the other with read/write, access to the MIB.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP is a family of protocols that defines the format of data packets sent across a network. It is the communications standard for data transmission between different platforms.

TFTP

Trivial File Transfer Protocol. TFTP is a simple file transfer protocol that depends on UDP.

twisted-pair cable

A cable used for both network communications and telephone communications. Also called 10Base-T.

Tx

Transmit data light. Flashes when data is being sent over the phone line.

UDP

User Datagram Protocol. UDP is a Transport-layer protocol that provides connectionless service without packet acknowledgment.

UDP port

A16-bit number that allows multiple processes to use User Datagram Protocol (UDP) services on the same host. A UDP address is the combination of a 32-bit IP address and the 16-bit port number. Examples of well-known UDP ports are 7 (for Echo packets), 161 (for SNMP packets), and 514 (for Syslog packets).

UTP cable

Unshielded Twisted Pair cable. UTP cable consists of two wires twisted two or more times per inch to help cancel out noise. The entire cable has no covering. UTP cable is typically used in telephone lines for voice service, in ARCnet networks, in 10Base-T Ethernet networks, and in particular sections of Token-Ring networks.

UTP port

The MAX 800 port for connecting the 10Base-T cable's RJ-45 connector.

VT100

An ASCII-character data terminal, consisting of a screen and keyboard. Manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation, the VT100 has become an industry standard data terminal. VT100-emulation software allows a standard PC to act as a VT100 terminal.

VT100 interface

The configuration and monitoring interface established with the MAX 800 through a VT100 or Telnet session with a VT100 emulator or Telnet connection on a workstation or a VT100 terminal.

WAN

Wide Area Network. A WAN is an internet of devices, generally consisting of several networks distributed over a wide geographic distance, connected by telephone lines, and using different hardware platforms and protocol encapsulation.

Copyright © 1998, Ascend Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.