User`s guide

Appendix A Glossary of Network Terms and Internet Protocols
Network Terms and Definitions
76 LanScaperPRO Network Tester User’s Guide
other devices on that LAN. The hub has no IP or MAC
address of it's own. It is thus, a "transparent" device that
merely enables multiple Ethernet devices to communicate
between themselves.
Hubs are typically older Ethernet devices that are
10BaseT. Most 10/100 hub like devices are now switches
(see definition). LanScaperPRO uses a hub as a definition
for a specific Ethernet connection pin assignment that
allows it to connect directly to a NIC device using a
straight through cable.
MAC (Media Access Control)
Protocol defined for addressing network-interfaces on a
unique basis. Each manufacturer of electronic devices
that interface to a MAC-controlled mechanism (like
Ethernet) must register with the IEEE and get a set of
unique addresses. Each device that manufacturer builds
is assigned a single address from that manufacturer's set
of addresses. Ethernet will not work properly if more than
one device on the LAN has the same MAC address.
MDI/MDI-X (Medium Dependent Interface, X for Crossover)
The physical cable interface defined in IEEE 802.3 is
called MDI on one end and MDI-X on the other end. The
LanScaperPRO refers to these connectors as NIC and
hub respectively. A recent development in Ethernet
devices is the ability to determine what type of device is
connected on the other end of the cable and adjust itself
to communicate properly. The LanScaperPRO will recog-
nize and report this type of device as an Auto Hub/NIC
device during port discovery.
LanScaperPRO_User_Guide.book Page 76 Friday, January 25, 2008 1:14 PM