User's Guide

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

This glossary defines terms and abbreviations used in this manual. If you do not find the term you are looking for, refer to the index or to the IBM Dictionary of Computing, SC20-1699 (New York/ McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1994).

A

access unit

A unit that allows multiple attaching devices access to a Token-Ring network at a central point such as a wiring closet or in an open work area.

adapter address

Twelve hexadecimal digits that identify a LAN adapter.

address

In data communication, the IEEE-assigned unique code or the unique locally administered code assigned to each device or workstation connected to a network. A character, group of characters, or a value that identifies a register, a particular part of storage, a data source, or a data sink. The value is represented by one or more characters. To refer to a device or an item of data by its address. The location in the storage of a computer where data is stored. In word processing, the location, identified by the address code, of a specific section of the recording medium or storage.

alert

For IBM LAN management products, a notification indicating a possible security violation, a persistent error condition, or an interruption or potential interruption in the flow of data around the network. See also network management vector transport. In SNA, a record sent to a system problem management focal point to communicate the existence of an alert condition. In the NetView program, a high-priority event that warrants immediate attention. This data base record is generated for certain event types that are defined by user-constructed filters.

attach

To make a device a part of a network logically.

Note:
Not to be confused with connect, which implies physically connecting a device to a network.

attaching device

Any device that is physically connected to a network and can communicate over the network.

B

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)

In IBM personal computers with PC I/O channel architecture, microcode that controls basic hardware operations such as interactions with diskette drives, fixed disk drives, and the keyboard.

C

command

A request for performance of an operation or execution of a program. A character string from a source external to a system that represents a request for system action.

configuration

The arrangement of a computer system or network as defined by the nature, number, and chief characteristics of its functional units. More specifically, the term may refer to a hardware configuration or a software configuration. The devices and programs that make up a system, subsystem, or network. See also system configuration.

configuration parameters

Variables in a configuration definition, the values of which characterize the relationship of a product, such as a bridge, to other products in the same network.

connect

In a LAN, to physically join a cable from a station to an access unit or network connection point. Contrast with attach.

D

default

Pertaining to an attribute, value, or option that is assumed when none is explicitly specified.

device driver

The code needed to attach and use a device on a computer or a network.

diagnostics

Modules or tests used by computer users and service personnel to diagnose hardware problems.

diskette drive

The mechanism used to seek, read, and write data on diskettes.

F

fastpath transmit

An alternate transmit interface to the PC Card that provides higher throughput.

fault

An accidental condition that causes a functional unit to fail to perform its required function.

fixed disk drive

Synonym for hard disk drive.

frame

The unit of transmission in some LANs, including the IBM Token-Ring Network and the IBM PC Network. It includes delimiters, control characters, information, and checking characters. On a Token-Ring network, a frame is created from a token when the token has data appended to it. On a token bus network (IBM PC Network), all frames including the token frame contain a preamble, start delimiter, control address, optional data and checking characters, end delimiter, and are followed by a minimum silence period. A housing for machine elements. In synchronous data link control (SDLC), the vehicle for every command, every response, and all information that is transmitted using SDLC procedures. Each frame begins and ends with a flag.

H

hard disk drive

A stand-alone disk drive that reads and writes data on rigid disks and can be attached to a port on the system unit. Synonymous with fixed disk drive, hard drive.

hot plugging

The ability to remove your adapter as long as you have shut down all the applications using the adapter. When you insert your adapter again, you can restart those applications.

I

initialize

In a LAN, to prepare the adapter (and adapter support code, if used) for use by an application program.

input/output (I/O)

Pertaining to a device whose parts can perform an input process and an output process at the same time. Pertaining to a functional unit or channel involved in an input process, output process, or both, concurrently or not, and to the data involved in such a process.

insert

To make an attaching device an active part of a LAN.

interface

A shared boundary between two functional units, defined by functional characteristics, common physical interconnection characteristics, signal characteristics, and other characteristics as appropriate. A shared boundary. An interface may be a hardware component to link two devices or a portion of storage or registers accessed by two or more computer programs. Hardware, software, or both, that links systems, programs, or devices.

interrupt

A suspension of a process, such as execution of a computer program, caused by an external event and performed in such a way that the process can be resumed. To stop a process in such a way that it can be resumed. In data communication, to take an action at a receiving station that causes the sending station to end a transmission. A means of passing processing control from one software or microcode module or routine to another, or of requesting a particular software, microcode, or hardware function.

interrupt level

The means of identifying the source of an interrupt, the function requested by an interrupt, or the code or feature that provides a function or service.

L

LAN adapter

The circuit card within a communicating device (such as a personal computer) that, together with its associated software, enables the device to be attached to a LAN.

LANAID

The LAN Adapter Installation and Diagnostic program. This program works to simplify the installation and configuration of hardware and software in a non-Plug and Play environment.

LAN Client

IBM LAN Client is a protocol stack that operates in protected mode in the DOS TCP/IP, Novell IPX Client, NetBIOS, and IEEE 802.2 environments.

locally administered address

An adapter address that the user can assign to override the universally administered address. Contrast with universally administered address.

M

MAC frame

Frames used to carry information to maintain the ring protocol and for exchange of management information.

medium access control (MAC) protocol

In a local area network, the part of the protocol that governs communication on the transmission medium without concern for the physical characteristics of the medium, but taking into account the topological aspects of the network, in order to enable the exchange of data between data stations.

message

A logical partition of the user device's data stream to and from the adapter. A group of characters and control bits transferred as an entity.

Micro Channel

The architecture used by IBM Personal System/2 computers, Models 50 and above. This term is used to distinguish these computers from personal computers using a PC I/O channel, such as an IBM PC, XT, or an IBM Personal System/2 computer, Model 25 or 30.

N

network administrator

A person who manages the use and maintenance of a network.

node

Any device, attached to a network, that transmits and/or receives data. An endpoint of a link, or a junction common to two or more links in a network. In a network, a point where one or more functional units interconnect transmission lines.

node address

The address of an adapter on a LAN.

O

open

To make an adapter ready for use. A break in an electrical circuit. To make a file ready for use.

operating system

Software that controls the execution of programs. An operating system may provide services such as resource allocation, scheduling, input/output control, and data management. Examples are IBM PC DOS and IBM OS/2.

option

A specification in a statement, a selection from a menu, or a setting of a switch, that may be used to influence the execution of a program. A hardware or software function that may be selected or enabled as part of a configuration process. A piece of hardware (such as a network adapter) that can be installed in a device to modify or enhance device function.

P

panel

The complete set of formatted information that appears in a single display on a visual display unit.

parameter

A variable that is given a constant value for a specified application and that may denote the application. An item in a menu or for which the user specifies a value or for which the system provides a value when the menu is interpreted. Data passed between programs or procedures.

PC Card

In a LAN, within a communicating device, a circuit card that, with its associated software and/or microcode, enables the device to communicate over the network.

port

An access point for data entry or exit. A connector on a device to which cables for other devices such as display stations and printers are attached. Synonymous with socket.

protocol

A set of semantic and syntactic rules that determines the behavior of functional units in achieving communication. In SNA, the meanings of and the sequencing rules for requests and responses used for managing the network, transferring data, and synchronizing the states of network components. A specification for the format and relative timing of information exchanged between communicating parties.

R

random access memory (RAM)

A computer's or adapter's volatile storage area into which data may be entered and retrieved in a nonsequential manner.

read-only memory (ROM)

A computer's or adapter's storage area whose contents cannot be modified by the user except under special circumstances.

remove

To take an attaching device off a network. To stop an adapter from participating in data passing on a network.

ring network

A network configuration in which a series of attaching devices is connected by unidirectional transmission links to form a closed path. A ring of an IBM Token-Ring Network is referred to as a LAN segment or as a Token-Ring Network segment.

S

server

A device, program, or code module on a network dedicated to providing a specific service to a network. On a LAN, a data station that provides facilities to other data stations. Examples are a file server, print server, and mail server.

shallowmode

A new mode that allows the workstation to assist the PC Card in the reception of information from the Token Ring. When chosen, fastpath transmit is used as well.

shared RAM

Random access memory (RAM) on an adapter that is shared by the computer in which the adapter is installed.

socket

Synonym for port (2).

system

In data processing, a collection of people, machines, and methods organized to accomplish a set of specific functions.

system configuration

A process that specifies the devices and programs that form a particular data processing system.

T

telephone twisted pair

One or more twisted pairs of copper wire in the unshielded voice-grade cable commonly used to connect a telephone to its wall jack. Also referred to as "unshielded twisted pair" (UTP).

token

A sequence of bits passed from one device to another on the Token-Ring network that signifies permission to transmit over the network. It consists of a starting delimiter, an access control field, and an end delimiter. The access control field contains a bit that indicates to a receiving device that the token is ready to accept information. If a device has data to send along the network, it appends the data to the token. When data is appended, the token then becomes a frame. See frame.

Token Ring

A network with a ring topology that passes tokens from one attaching device (node) to another. A node that is ready to send can capture a token and insert data for transmission.

Token-Ring network

A ring network that allows unidirectional data transmission between data stations by a token-passing procedure over one transmission medium so that the transmitted data returns to and is removed by the transmitting station. The IBM Token-Ring Network is a baseband LAN with a star-wired ring topology that passes tokens from network adapter to network adapter. A network that uses a ring topology, in which tokens are passed in a sequence from node to node. A node that is ready to send can capture the token and insert data for transmission. A group of interconnected Token Rings.

twisted pair

A transmission medium that consists of two insulated conductors twisted together to reduce noise.

U

universally administered address

The address permanently encoded in an adapter at the time of manufacture. All universally administered addresses are unique. Contrast with locally administered address.

unshielded twisted pair (UTP)

See telephone twisted pair.