User guide

Reference Guide 153
network address translation (NAT)
A method of hiding or masquerading network addresses from
hosts on another network, protecting the confidentiality and
architecture of the network.
netmask
An inverse mask of the significant bits of a network address. On a
local net, the range of addresses one can expect to be found
directly connected to the network. Because netmasks generally
occur with a Class C license address space of 8 bits, the netmask is
255.255.255.0. It can be a smaller number of bits if subnetting is in
effect. Some systems require the netmask to be an even number of
bits.
network adaptor, network interface card
A device that sends and receives data between the computer and
the network cabling. It may work either internally, such as a PCI,
or externally, such as a SCSI adaptor which connects to a
computer’s SCSI port.
network number
The portion of an IP address that is common to all hosts on a
single network and is normally defined by the set portion of the
corresponding netmask.
network range
The portion of an IP address that is allocated to individual hosts
on a single network and is normally defined by the cleared
portion of the corresponding netmask.
NFS (Network File System)
A popular TCP/IP service for providing shared file systems over
a network.
NIST
See National Institute for Standards and Technology.
node
A computer or CPU on a network.