User Manual

Glossary
August 6, 2003 Part 004071A revision 00b 147
L
LAN (local area network)
A network of computers, workstations, printers,
file servers, and other devices that serves a
particular group of users and is usually confined
to a small geographical area, such as a building or
campus.
latency
The amount of time it takes a packet to travel
from source to destination. Network latency
refers to the delay introduced when a packet is
momentarily stored, analyzed, and then
forwarded.
LNA (low-noise amplifier)
A device that increases the amplitude of an RF
signal without introducing significant amounts of
noise.
M
MAC (medium access control) layer
The network layer protocol that controls access to
the physical transmission medium. The MAC
layer, defined in IEEE 802, is sometimes called a
sublayer because it is equivalent to the lower half
of the data link layer in the OSI reference model.
It mediates between the physical layer and the
logical link control sublayer.
MGB (master ground bar)
The MGB is a bus bar that provides an electrical
interface between the building’s integrated
ground plane and an isolated ground plane.
modem (modulator–demodulator)
A device that performs the conversion between
digital data and analog signals.
MOP (methods of procedure)
A SOMA Networks document that describes the
work to be done at a customer’s site.
N
network core
In a SOMA Networks context, the network core
is the switching fabric that interconnects all
components and transfers bearer traffic, signaling
information, embedded control messages, and
network management traffic. The network core
could be implemented as a single IP router
connecting all components in star topology or
could be an arbitrary meshed topology with
several routers and routes between systems.
NPM
The SOMA Networks wireless basestation. An
NPM serves as a wireless gateway for
SOMAports. It transfers subscriber voice and data
traffic between the SOMAports and the OpenNet
network core. In effect, the NPM combines the
functions of a wireless basestation, IP QoS-
enabled router, Class 5 switch, and element
management system.
The NPM relays voice and data between the air
interface and the backhaul network.
O
OS (operating system)
The master control program that runs a
computer. The OS is the first program loaded
when a computer is turned on, controls software
access to resources such as the central processing
unit, memory, and peripherals, and runs all of the
computer’s programs.
P
PSTN (public switched telephone network)
The international telephone system for analog
voice traffic. The PSTN refers to the original
copper wire telephone infrastructure and services.
installation.book Page 147 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 6:06 PM