User's Guide

Gateway The device, usually a router, that connects devices on a given IP subnet
to other IP subnets.
Headend The "central oce" in an HFC network. The headend houses both video
and data equipment. In larger cable networks, a "master" headend oen
feeds several "remote" headends to provide distributed services.
HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol.
Hub A box with several Ethernet connectors. Ethernet hubs provide a
common point of contact for all connected devices.
IP address A number assigned to your computer by your service provider, used to
idenfy your computer to other systems on the Internet.
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network. A digital telephony standard that
provides communicaon speeds about twice as fast as standard dialup.
LAN Local Area Network. A network that allows computers in a single locaon
(such as a building) to communicate with one another.
LED Light Eming Diode. A semi-conductor diode that emits light when
current is passed through it.
MAC address A number that uniquely idenes any device connected to a network.
Your service provider uses your Telephony Gateway's MAC address to
authorize access to the Internet. The MAC address is printed on a label
axed to your Telephony Gateway.
Protocol A set of rules and formats that determines the communicaon behavior
of network enes at a given layer.
Proxy A device or program that stands in between a server (for example, a web
site) and a client (your browser), providing a way to relieve some of the
burden from the server. For example, your service provider may have a
web proxy that keeps copies of popular web pages; the proxy can send
you those pages instead of fetching them directly from the web site,
resulng in faster page loading and less network congeson.
RF Abbreviaon for Radio Frequency. Some literature refers to coax as "RF
cable" and the connectors as "RF connectors."
RJ-11 A standard 2-conductor modular connector, commonly used in North
America for connecng telephones.
RJ-45 A standard 8-conductor modular connector, commonly used on Ethernet
cable. An RJ-45 connector looks like a wide RJ-11 (telephone) connector.
Splier A small box with three cable connectors: one input and two outputs. You
may need a splier if you have a TV already connected to the cable
outlet that you want to use for your Telephony Gateway. You can buy a
splier from any electronics retailer and most discount stores.
SSID Service Set IDener. A string of text (up to 32 characters long) that
uniquely idenes a wireless LAN.
Appendix A: Glossary
Touchstone TG6452 Telephony Gateway User Guide DRAFT Revision 2.3 38