User's Manual

Chapter 4: Additional Information
52
Illustrations contained in this document are for representation only.
Glossary
10BaseT ʹ Unshielded, twisted pair cable with an RJ-45 connector, used with Ethernet LAN (Local Area
Network). "10" indicates speed (10 Mbps), "Base" refers to baseband technology, and "T" means twisted
pair cable.
Authentication - The process of verifying the identity of an entity on a network.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) ʹ A protocol with which allows a server to assign IP addresses
dynamically to hosts on the fly.
DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) ʹ A project with the objective of developing a
set of necessary specifications and operations support interface specifications for cable modems and
associated equipment.
Ethernet card ʹ A plug-in circuit board installed in an expansion slot of a personal computer. The
Ethernet card (sometimes called a Network Interface Card or NIC) takes parallel data from the computer,
converts it to serial data, puts it into a packet format, and sends it over the 10BaseT or 100BaseT LAN
cable.
F Connector ʹ A type of coaxial connector, labeled CABLE IN on the rear of the cable modem that
connects the modem to the cable system.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) ʹ Invisible to the user, HTTP is used by servers and clients to
communicate and display information on a web browser.
Hub ʹ A device used to connect multiple computers to the cable modem.
IP Address ʹ A unique, 32-bit address assigned to every device in a network. An IP (Internet Protocol)
address has two parts: a network address and a host address. This modem receives a new IP address
from your cable operator via DHCP each time it goes through Initialization Mode.
Key exchange - The swapping of mathematical values between entities on a network in order to allow
encrypted communication between them.
MAC Address ʹ The permanent "identity" for a device programmed into the Media Access Control layer
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NID - Network Interface Device, the interconnection between the internal house telephone wiring and a
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a small plastic box located on an outer wall of the house. It is the legal demarcation between the
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PacketCable ʹ A project with the objective of developing a set of necessary telephony specifications and
operations support interface specifications for cable modems and associated equipment used over the
DOCSIS-based cable network.
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) ʹ The worldwide voice telephone network which provides
dial tone, ringing, full-duplex voice band audio and optional services using standard telephones.
Provisioning - The process of enabling the Media Terminal Adapter (MTA) to register and provide
services over the network.