Specifications

Chapter 1 Understanding Networking and IP Addressing
Introduction to Networking
Niagara Release 2.3
Niagara Networking & Connectivity Guide Revised: May 22, 2002
1–11
Drivers
Network drivers provide communication between a network interface card and the
network redirector running in the computer. The redirector is part of the networking
software that accepts I/O requests for remote files and sends, or redirects, them over
the network to another computer. The network administrator uses a setup program to
install the driver. During installation, the driver is stored on the computer's hard disk.
NIC drivers reside in the MAC sub-layer of the data link layer of the OSI Model. The
MAC sub-layer is responsible for providing shared access for the computer's network
interface cards to the physical layer. The NIC driver ensures direct communication
between the computer and the NIC, which in turn provides a link between the
computer and the rest of the network.
It is common for NIC vendors to provide drivers to the network operating system
(NOS) software vendor so that the driver can be included with the NOS.
Protocols
Computers on a network must use an agreed-upon format for transmitting data
between the two devices. Generally, a network protocol defines:
• The type of error checking to be used.
• Data compression method, if any.
• How the sending device indicates that it has finished sending a message.
• How the receiving device indicates that it has received a message.
802.3 Carrier-Sense Multiple Access with Collision
Detection (CSMA/CD) Ethernet.
802.3U CSMA/CD Fast Ethernet
802.3Z CSMA/CD Gigabit Ethernet
802.4 Token Bus LAN.
802.5 Token Ring LAN.
802.6 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).
802.7 Broadband Technical Advisory Group
802.8 Fiber Optic Technical Advisory Group
802.9 Integrated Voice/Data Networks
802.10 Network Security
802.11 Wireless Networks
802.12 Demand Priority Access LAN
Table 1-4 IEEE 802 categories.
Number Description