User's Guide

hwc_glossary.fm
Glossary
Networking terms and abbreviations
9034530-02,
March 2010
HiPath Wireless Controller, Access Points and Convergence Software V7.11, User Guide 475
MTU Maximum Transmission Unit. The largest packet size, measured in bytes, that a network
interface is configured to accept. Any messages larger than the MTU are divided into smaller
packets before being sent.
MU Mobile Unit, a wireless device such as a PC laptop.
multicast, broadcast, unicast Multicast: transmitting a single message to a select group of recipients. Broadcast: sending a
message to everyone connected to a network. Unicast: communication over a network
between a single sender and a single receiver.
NAS Network Access Server, a server responsible for passing information to designated RADIUS
servers and then acting on the response returned. A NAS-Identifier is a RADIUS attribute
identifying the NAS server. (RFC2138)
NAT Network Address Translator. A network capability that enables a group of computers to
dynamically share a single incoming IP address. NAT takes the single incoming IP address
and creates new IP address for each client computer on the network.
Netmask In administering Internet sites, a netmask is a string of 0's and 1's that mask or screen out the
network part of an IP address, so that only the host computer part of the address remains. A
frequently-used netmask is 255.255.255.0, used for a Class C subnet (one with up to 255 host
computers). The ".0" in the "255.255.255.0" netmask allows the specific host computer
address to be visible.
NIC Network Interface Card. An expansion board in a computer that connects the computer to a
network.
NMS Network Management System. The system responsible for managing a network or a portion
of a network. The NMS talks to network management agents, which reside in the managed
nodes.
NTP Network Time Protocol, an Internet standard protocol (built on top of TCP/IP) that assures
accurate synchronization to the millisecond of computer clock times in a network of
computers. Based on UTC, NTP synchronizes client workstation clocks to the U.S. Naval
Observatory Master Clocks in Washington, DC and Colorado Springs CO. Running as a
continuous background client program on a computer, NTP sends periodic time requests to
servers, obtaining server time stamps and using them to adjust the client's clock. (RFC1305)
OFDM Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, a method of digital modulation in which a signal is
split into several narrowband channels at different frequencies. OFDM is similar to
conventional frequency division multiplexing (FDM). The difference lies in the way in which the
signals are modulated and demodulated. Priority is given to minimizing the interference, or
crosstalk, among the channels and symbols comprising the data stream. Less importance is
placed on perfecting individual channels.
OFDM is used in European digital audio broadcast services. It is also used in wireless local
area networks.
OID Object Identifier.
OPSEC OPSEC (Open Platform for Security) is a security alliance program created by Check Point to
enable an open industry-wide framework for interoperability of security products and
applications. Products carrying the ‘Secured by Check Point’ seal have been tested to
guarantee integration and interoperability.
OS Operating system.
OSI Open System Interconnection. An ISO standard for worldwide communications that defines a
networking framework for implementing protocols in seven layers. Control is passed from one
layer to the next, starting at the application layer in one station, down through the presentation,
session, transport, network, data link layer to the physical layer at the bottom, over the channel
to the next station and back up the hierarchy.
Term Explanation