Operation Manual

horNET Giga PCI (P6111-1)
11
Glossary of key terms
The purpose of this section is to explain some of the most important concepts related to
computer networks.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a highly popular networking system developed by Xerox. Depending on version, it
supports data transfers at 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps. Ethernet uses CSMA/CD
(Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection) technology for network access, making it
possible for workstations to share a single cable (although only one workstation can use the
cable at any given time). A short description of various Ethernet standards is provided below,
including information on cable types and maximum segment lengths.
Ethernet standards
• 10Base-2
Also known as ‘thin’ Ethernet (Thinnet); data rate: 10 Mbps; coaxial cable; maximum
segment length: 185 m (607 ft).
• 10Base-5
Also known as ‘thick’ Ethernet (Thicknet); data rate: 10 Mbps; coaxial cable; maximum
segment length: 500 m (1,640 ft).
• 10Base-T
Data rate: 10 Mbps; twisted pair cable; maximum segment length: 100 m (328 ft).
• 10Broad-36
Data rate: 10 Mbps; coaxial cable; maximum segment length: 3,600 m (11,800 ft).
• 10Base-F
Data rate: 10 Mbps; fiber optic cable; maximum segment length: 4 km (2,5 mi).
• 100BaseTX
Data rate: 100 Mbps; maximum segment length: 100 m (328 ft).
• 1000Base-T
Data rate: 1000 Mbps; maximum segment length: 100 m (328 ft).
• 100VG-AnyLAN
Data rate: 100 Mbps, demand priority access; maximum segment length: 150 m (492 ft).
Topologies
• Bus
With the bus topology, all workstations are connected to a single cable (trunk). The
information transferred reaches all workstations, but is only picked up by the one to which
it has been transmitted.
• Star
With the star topology, workstations are connected to hubs. Depending on the hub used,
the information transferred reaches all workstations or is transmitted between individual
workstations.
• Star-Configured Ring
With this topology, workstations are configured physically as a star, however signals are
transmitted from station to station as in a ring configuration. A typical example of this type
of network is Token Ring.